Uninstall Windows Defender in Windows 7

Question

Can Windows Defender be permanently uninstalled/removed from my current Windows 7 installation, it can't be done through the Add/Remove Programs Wizard.

Solution 1

I do not think it is possible to completly remove without the aid of a tool such as Vlite.

However, your best bet is to go in to "Computer Management" then "Services" and set the Windows Defender service to disabled.

Solution 2

You can also go into the Windows Defender GUI an uncheck the option "Use Windows Defender".

Solution 3

Not that I know of, but you could stop it bothering you by setting the service to disabled.

Solution 4

There is a portable application entitled Windows Defender Uninstaller.

• Download it from the link above.
• Run it.
• Click the button to uninstall Defender.
• The lower pane will show what’s being deleted and if there are any errors.

However:

Please read this article entitled "How To Disable, Uninstall or Remove Windows Defender" to gain greater insight to the above actions including firstly disabling Windows Defender (best practice) and also How To Manually Remove it (if you feel that this is more appropriate), before attempting the above.

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Comments

[Sopalajo de Arrierez]

Best method until now. I have tested the others, as I have done with many tutorials thorugh the web, and this is the one that seems to work for me. Well... I have not tested the VLite program, but I don't want to install anything on my Windows if a simple executable program does the job OK automatically in just a few seconds plus one reboot.

[Simon]

@SopalajodeArrierez Glad to be of assistance :)