How to Turn On and Off Windows Defender in Windows 10


To turn on and off Windows Defender in Windows 10 PC ascertain the security of Windows PC, You now nowadays the outpacing level of Hazards coming from all around to your PC is the real matter of worry. So we have decided to present a write up on enabling and disabling Windows Defender in Windows 10 along with customization details.

Windows Defender is freely shipped with Windows 10 and is stated as an antivirus app that comes by default in Windows 10. Whatever may be the kind of malware Windows Defender fights with them and protects the PC. Though, there are mouths that say it cannot provide full protection when comes to the serious malware attacks and thus the third party antivirus helps in protecting the computer. With this view, many users disable the Windows Defender and on the other side there are users who have witnessed the proper security with Windows Defender in Windows 10and wish to turn on it in their Windows 10 computers.

You may like to read:

How to Disable Windows Defender in Windows 10

  • Launch your Start Menu and tap Settings.
settings app on start menu
  • Click System category of the Settings.
update security category on windows 10 settings app
  • Scroll down and you can see Windows Defender on the left column. Press it.
windows defender in the left sidebar of update and security window
  • The right pane of the Windows Defender displays you some sections. The first section is of Real-time protection. Drag the respective slider towards Off.
real time protection slider off
  • Windows Defender has been now disabled. When you open Windows Defender, you can see something like this. (See the below screenshot).
turn on button on windows defender

How to Enable Windows Defender in Windows 10

  • Unwind the Start Menu by clicking its icon on the Taskbar and pick Settings.
  • On the Settings window, click System category.
  • The left column, tap Windows Defender.
  • Take your attention to the right pane of Windows Defender and you can view the Real-time protection is disabled (Slider is towards OFF). Toggle it to ON.
real time protection slider on windows 10
  • You have successfully enabled Windows Defender in Windows 10.
enabled windows defender

Other Customization Options

As you have seen the Windows Defender in the Settings of Windows 10, there are other options. Following are few customizations you can sneak into.

Cloud-based Protection

Windows 10 recommends keeping this toggle On as this assures the best protection to your computer. The problems occurred in your computer are sent to Microsoft and the officials study the problem in the cloud and finds out the reason affecting your computer. They come back to you with the possible best solutions to resolve the problem. So you should have toggled ON Cloud Protection.

cloud protection option in windows defender

Automatic sample submission

When you enable this option, you agree to send the sample files which help in tracing out the vicious software to Microsoft. The samples are submitted automatically. There is no harm in enabling this option because the company keeps your identity safe.

sample submission slider on windows defender

Exclusions

If you want particular file or folder to be excluded by windows defender in Windows 10 then it provides you an option where you can give off any particular file or folder from a scan by Windows Defender. Read the below steps to know how does it works.

add exclusion link under exclusions
  • Click Add exclusions.
files and location in add excusions window in windows defender
  • You can see three sections: Files and folders, File types and Processes. Click on the Plus button of the Exclude a file or Exclude a folder under Files and folders section.
plus sign in files and locations
  • A window will appear, locate and select your file and lastly click Exclude this file button.
enter a new excusion name pop up
  • If you prefer to exclude any process, the files linked with it will also be excluded, like .exe, .com, etc.
  • Again click on the Plus button and enter the process name you prefer to exclude from scanning.
add sign on proccesses in add ecxlusions on windows defender
  • Give a name to your exclusion and click Ok

Command line to Turn On Windows Defender in Windows 10

Simply copy the underneath command and paste in the run box and finally press Enter on Keyboard.

%ProgramFiles%\Windows Defender\MSASCui.exe

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Topics:  Windows 10
  
About Sunita
Love to play with Windows 11 and 10. Suggestion - Going for Registry change or system files edit then remember to take a backup or create a restore point before Starting.

  1. Sorry, Stu, you will find Windows Defender security center instead of the defender in the current Windows 10 version. Follow this guide meeting with your need How to Access Windows Defender Security Center on Windows 10.

  2. Windows 10 pro, 06/16/17…This is out of date. “?On the Settings window, click System category”…I do not have defender in Systems
    I show an update:12.00.00 M Thursday January 1 1970
    Version created: 12.00.00 AM Thursday January 1 1970 and unable to update this dysfunctional app

  3. Dolores J Foster

    says:

    I am looking forward to windows 10

  4. i have home and i can’t keep it turned off, any ideas

    it keeps turning itself back on.

  5. Hi Bianchi run the command

    %ProgramFiles%Windows DefenderMSASCui.exe

  6. Mike Bianchi

    says:

    I can’t enable windows defender and when I click on the notification icons, nothing happens. Please advise. Thank you