How to remove Windows Defender from Vista

Thu Oct 16, 2008 2:10PM EDT

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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!)

Comments on How to remove Windows Defender from Vista

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  • 6 Posted by kfabz on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:50PM EDT Report Abuse

    Thanks for this tip Chris. I've had to battle with Defender for ages without results, even using autorun didn't help. What with the nagging daily updates that are lame and ineffective, just eating up my computer memory. I use Spybot and Ad-Aware to deal spywares and they are effective. Thanks again.

  • 7 Posted by avistarn on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:59PM EDT Report Abuse

    Internet security is vital, wheter it is AVG, defender/onecare, or whatever. None are 100% though. You still have to be a smart user. And linux is a GREAT.............tool...not much of an OS.

  • 8 Posted by smnblson on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:30PM EDT Report Abuse

    My pc was also infected by a trojan virus and my up-to-date paid antivirus program was ineffective. Both the Windows removal tool and Defender cleaned up the virus. I'm usually skeptical about Windows free programs but in this case it proved to be the best solution -- even better than paid services. I use it to scan my disk frequently.

  • 9 Posted by yangashi1986 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:54PM EDT Report Abuse

    i can't play games on linux,so no thanks,heck it takes me 1hour to do one thing in linux while in winxp i do it in 10 minutes

  • 11 Posted by sexicici on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:14PM EDT Report Abuse

    There is Windows Defender which is directly from Microsoft and there is WinDefender, which is spyware/malware. I have the first one, which is maybe useful. It did find and rid my computer of some spyware, but I then used Hitman Pro which found and got rid of a ton more malware! (including Windefender) Anyway, just my 2 cents...

  • 12 Posted by drfadare on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:48PM EDT Report Abuse

    windows defender removed a trojan from my windows xp (TrojanDownloader:Win32/Reno.Y)which mcafee had been unable to do. Mcafee identified the trojan (FakeAlert-AB!htm) that was on my system at the same time as some fake security alerts which kept popping up (forcedscan and about two others) but mcafee could not clear it - windows defender did not see it . I eventually used system restore and stopped seeing the alerts and hopefully erased the trojan.

  • 13 Posted by kaiserx5 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:46PM EDT Report Abuse

    Why the heck are you planning to download youtube videos anyway? And of all sources, getting it from limewire?

  • 14 Posted by andrewtina@btinternet.com on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:54PM EDT Report Abuse

    i realy hope this works,ive had a nightmare with mcafee int security,it disables windows defender and starts flagging up a warning pop up saying its been disabled and it pops up frequently,very anoying.i ran defender with norton and it didnt clash in anyway,now i found this info and its fine. very very happy with info and how easy it was to turn of thanx so so much to the tech guy thanks .

  • 15 Posted by pulsar527 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:22PM EDT Report Abuse

    I have window xp how would I remove it form that system

  • 16 Posted by wande82 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:40PM EDT Report Abuse

    All i did was 1)click start 2)type in system restore 3)restore your computer to a day before. its as simple as ABC. IF YOU HAVE GOT A WINDOWS VISTA. Dont instll or download anymore silly crap.

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