eliza_fixes EL

Windows Defender keeps turning itself back on in Windows 11

I switch real-time protection off so an old scanner driver will install, and a few minutes later it's on again. Is there a proper way to disable it, or at least keep it off long enough to finish the install?
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tara_helpdesk Nov 06, 2026
eliza_fixes
If you have installed another antivirus and Defender still keeps coming back, the other one probably isn't registered with Windows properly, or its subscription ran out. Check Windows Security > Virus & threat protection, it says which product is active. Also, if you're on Windows 11 Home, the old group policy tricks to switch it off don't apply, and Tamper Protection undoes most registry edits anyway. Not worth fighting it.
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linda_mary Oct 14, 2026
eliza_fixes
That's on purpose. Switching off real-time protection is only temporary, Windows turns it back on by itself after a while. The only way it stays off is having another antivirus installed and registered, then Defender steps aside. If it's blocking a particular program or folder, add an exclusion in Virus & threat protection settings instead. Much safer than fighting it every day.
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