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How To Disable Windows Defender In Vista?

Posted By: BioTecK on Friday 19 September 2008 with 17 Comments

Windows Vista has a lot of new security feature. After installing Windows Vista on my computer one of the first things I did was turning some of these new features off. One of these new features is Windows Defender. Windows Defender, better known as Microsoft AntiSpyware, is a software product from Microsoft to prevent, remove and quarantine spyware in Windows. Windows Defender is included and enabled by default in Windows Vista.

Personally I don’t like it and I think this spyware detection is nothing but crap. Luckily you can disable this function because you don’t need it or if you prefer to use other applications to secure your system.

If you follow this steps you’ll disable Windows Defender for good! Even after rebooting your system, there is no way that Windows Defender will ever start! :wink:

  1. Go to Start > RUN
  2. Type msconfig and hit Enter
  3. A new window will appear. Go to “Startup” tab and deselect the Windows Defender box and Apply the new settings.
  4. Click OK to close the screen. There’s no need for reboot now, so continue without rebooting.
  5. Now, go to Start > Run
  6. Type services.msc, scroll down and right click on Windows Defender and Stop the service.
  7. Right Click again and choose Properties.
  8. In the screen look for Startup Type and choose Disabled and click on Apply.
  9. Click on OK to exit and that’s it. You have disabled Windows Defender from ever running again! :wink:

Easy right?! :wink:

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17 Comments so far, be the next one! »

  • mommyandmeboutique said:
    20 September 2008 at 18:50

    Thanks for the information; I always learn something new when I come to your set. Hope your marriage is going well! Just remember to express your love to her daily!

  • BioTecK (author) said:
    21 September 2008 at 12:18

    Sure, No problem MommyAndMeBoutique! :smile:
    We’re not married yet, but everything is going just fine and believe me.. I express my love to her daily! ;)

  • Rogue said:
    21 September 2008 at 18:04

    Although I use Vista, i have not find a need to disable this defender yet. Anyway, it is great though that if i would need it, this advice n tip you shared would always be helpful.

  • shaxx said:
    21 September 2008 at 19:31

    Now I know it’s crap… LOL

  • trench said:
    21 September 2008 at 22:46

    I hate vista. Still using XP pro. :mrgreen:

  • BioTecK (author) said:
    22 September 2008 at 07:07

    Well, The thing is about me is that I want to be in control of my system Rogue. So when I don’t like a feature / software I won’t let it run om my system! :razz: So it’s perfectly ok if you don’t want to turn it off! :wink:

    Yep, exactly Shaxx. So you know what to do! :razz:

    Why do you hate Vista Trench!? I mean I was against Vista too, but once I’ve installed it on my computer.. it isn’t that bad, so far no bsod! ;)

  • lankapo said:
    22 September 2008 at 17:40

    heheh just followed your tips and turn off the service.

    Before this I did disable a few unuse service, but I donno why I miss this one.

    What antivirus do you suggest?

    lankapos last blog post.."Orang Asing" di Gerai Nasi Kerabu

  • BioTecK (author) said:
    23 September 2008 at 06:16

    That’s not a big deal Lankapo. As long as you turn it off, cause in my opinion, you really don’t need it..

    About the antivirus: I’m using NOD32 for a couple of years and it’s GREAT! Never had any troubles with it, it doesn’t use that much resources (like Norton!) and it’s just a small program! :D
    So I would definitely go for NOD32!

  • lankapo said:
    23 September 2008 at 07:33

    ok, what about AVG ?

    is NOD32 free?

    lankapos last blog post..Google Adsense vs Nuffnang

  • Paul said:
    24 September 2008 at 05:16

    That’s a good tip. I haven’t tried it yet though – what kind of performance difference, if any, did you notice?

    I always thought that if everyone had the same type of protection then the malware writers would just target it and write to bypass it. If everyone with a Windows PC runs Defender then it makes no sense to write malware that Defender can defend against, making Defender pointless. I’m sure it can probably clean something that managed to get on your system before it knew what it was, but if my antivirus software already does that then what’s the point in wasting cycles to Defender. I’m going to have to try this tip because it makes good sense.

    Pauls last blog post..Dell’s Missed Marketing Opportunity

  • BioTecK (author) said:
    24 September 2008 at 06:15

    To be honest, I haven’t tried AVG on my pc, but I know it’s freeware Lankapo. However AVG seems to be doing very good.
    About NOD32.. It’s no free but it sure is a very very good antivirus! :D

    I haven’t noticed a performance difference Paul. I mean with 3 GB RAM it’s kinda hard to notice it! :wink:
    The malware writes will write something else, definitely but the point is that I’m running NOD32 which does the job for me. So why use 2 different software?! :D

  • Agrizone said:
    2 March 2009 at 19:10

    hay,
    I find your summary about Windows Defender and way to disable very useful.
    Thanks,
    Agrizone Foundation.

  • BioTecK (author) said:
    6 March 2009 at 06:40

    Hay Agrizone. Sure no problem! :wink:

  • Alex said:
    13 April 2009 at 17:06

    Here’s a video tutorial on how to do this, it’s much easier! :cool:
    http://hackyourwindows.com/How-to-disable-Windows-Defender-to-save-resources-98.html

  • BioTecK (author) said:
    16 April 2009 at 20:24

    Cool, I’m going to watch the video Alex. :mrgreen:

  • Christopher - Hotels In Amsterdam Goedkoop said:
    23 April 2009 at 17:43

    I only recently found your Blog on the web, and I find it excellent. Anyone who reads your blog would be well aware it’s just another facet of Vista marketing, but still your Journal is like a breath of fresh air compared to the usual bland corporate communications. Wish you all success.

  • BioTecK (author) said:
    27 April 2009 at 20:44

    Thnx a lot for your comment and you’re nice words Christopher! :oops: