How to remove Windows Defender from Vista

Reader Harry writes: Chris, can you please tell me how to get Defender off my Vista PC. It's not in the remove programs area. Thanks.

Want to get rid of the mostly useless Windows Defender security tool from your Vista computer? Ha! Microsoft tricked you! You won't find Defender in the Programs and Features control panel because you can't uninstall the tool, at least not without serious (and unnecessary) headaches. Deleting the Defender executables can cause your computer to throw out error messages, so actually removing the code from your machine is not advised.

There's a way to get rid of it that's just as good as uninstalling it, though. Here's what to do:

> Make sure you are logged in with an Administrator-level account. Run Windows Defender by launching it through the Start > All Programs menu.

> Click Tools, then click Options.

> The tricky part: Scroll down on this page all the way to the bottom. Here you'll see a check box that reads "Use Windows Defender." First uncheck "Allow everyone to use Windows Defender" (optional if you are logged in with your regular account) then uncheck "Use Windows Defender." Click Save and you're done. (See screenshot above for what this looks like.)

> One last step: Reboot and you'll get a pop-up warning you that Defender is turned off. To disable this pop-up, launch the Security Center Control Panel. Click "Malware protection" to expand it. Under "Spyware and other malware protection"you'll see "Windows Defender is turned off." Click "Show me my available options" then click "I have an antispyware program that I'll monitor myself." (Better yet, install an actual antispyware program! You still need protection!)