How to Disable Windows Defender in XP

By Kefa Olang

Updated February 10, 2017

i Siri Stafford/Digital Vision/Getty Images

Windows Defender is a free Windows anti-spyware program that allows you to remove dangerous spyware. Windows Defender runs automatically when you start your computer and monitors processes in real-time. Although Windows Defender is an important security tool, you may need to disable it when installing certain programs and applications. If you are no longer using the application, you can uninstall it from your Windows XP computer using the built-in uninstall utility.

Launch the "Services" console by clicking the Windows "Start" menu, clicking "Run," typing "services.msc" (without quotes) in the open box and pressing "Enter."

Scroll down the "Services" console and double click "Windows Defender." A new dialog box launches. Click the "Stop" button and select "Disabled" in the "Startup type" box. Click "OK" to save the changes. Close the "Services" console.

Click the Windows "Start" menu if you want to uninstall Windows Defender. Click the "Control Panel" and double click the "Add or Remove Programs" icon. This launches the programs window. Scroll down the programs window and click "Windows Defender." Click "Remove" and confirm you want to remove the program. The uninstall removes Windows Defender. Restart your computer to complete the removal process.

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