Microsoft removes regedit ability to disable Microsoft Defender

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Published onAugust 20, 2020

published onAugust 20, 2020

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Microsoft Defender is the built-in antivirus tool that comes bundled with Windows 10, and it provides real-time protection against malware and viruses. While Microsoft hasn’t provided the ability to disable the program using the Settings app, there was still a way to disable it permanently through a Registry key.

However,Deskmoddernoticed that Microsoft has disabled the registry key (DisableAntiSpyware) which IT Admins could use to shut down Microsoft Defender beginning with the Windows 10 August 2020 update. The Redmond giant has confirmed the change in an update to theDisableAntiSpyware documentation(viaMSPoweruser). According to Deskmodder, third-party software such as Defender Control should still work, though.

“This setting is discontinued and will be ignored on client devices, as of the August 2020 (version 4.18.2007.8) update to Microsoft Defender Antivirus,” the support document reads.

This move is quite surprising since thousands of users who have been using the registry hack to disable Microsoft Defender to run third-party antivirus solutions on their PCs. By removing this capability, Microsoft probably wants to push more users towards its own antivirus tool. Did you notice the change on your PCs? Let us know in the comments down below.

Radu Tyrsina

Radu Tyrsina has been a Windows fan ever since he got his first PC, a Pentium III (a monster at that time).

For most of the kids of his age, the Internet was an amazing way to play and communicate with others, but he was deeply impressed by the flow of information and how easily you can find anything on the web.

Prior to founding Windows Report, this particular curiosity about digital content enabled him to grow a number of sites that helped hundreds of millions reach faster the answer they’re looking for.

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Radu Tyrsina

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