Windows users often find themselves needing to disable their antivirus software either temporarily or permanently. Disabling antivirus may be necessary for troubleshooting computer issues, as these programs can sometimes contribute to problems within the Windows operating system. Disabling your antivirus to see whether an issue persists is a widespread troubleshooting technique.

Since there are many antivirus programs for Windows computers, including native and third-party solutions, there is no singular method to disable antivirus software. Listed below are steps to disable some of the most popular antivirus programs for the Windows operating system. If a specific method for your antivirus program is not included, you should explore the program’s Settings or Options to find a way to disable or turn it off .

    1. Windows Security (formerly Windows Defender)
    1. Microsoft Security Essentials
    1. AVG Antivirus
    1. Kaspersky Antivirus
    1. Malwarebytes

1. Windows Security (formerly Windows Defender)

  1. Open the Start Menu .
  2. Click on Settings .
  3. Click on Update & Security .
  4. Click on Windows Security in the left pane.
  5. In the right pane of the window, under the Virus & threat protection settings section.
  6. Click on Manage settings.
  7. Locate the Real-time protection toggle and set it to Off .

Note: Windows Defender has evolved into Windows Security in recent Windows versions.

2. Microsoft Security Essentials

For disabling Microsoft Security Essentials on older Windows versions:

  1. Locate the Microsoft Security Essentials icon in the system tray and right-click on it.
  2. Choose Open from the menu.
  3. Navigate to the Settings tab.
  4. Select Real-time Protection .
  5. Uncheck the box beside Turn on real-time protection .
  6. Click on Save changes .
  7. After closing the program, Microsoft Security Essentials will be disabled.

3. AVG Antivirus

To disable AVG Antivirus:

  1. Find the AVG icon in your computer’s system tray and right-click on it.
  2. Click on Protection is ON toggle button.
  3. Choose the duration for which AVG should be disabled and decide whether to disable the firewall as well.
  4. Click OK to proceed.

4. Kaspersky Antivirus

To disable Kaspersky Antivirus:

  1. Right-click the Kaspersky icon in your system tray.
  2. From the menu, select Pause Protection .
  3. Choose the duration you wish to pause protection or select Until Reboot to disable Kaspersky until the system restarts.
  4. Confirm your choice if prompted by a dialogue box.

5. Malwarebytes

To disable Malwarebytes’ real-time protection:

  1. Right-click Malwarebytes icon from System-tray.
  2. Now one-by-one turn off all the protections .
  3. You can also quit Malwarebytes .

Warning About Disabling Antivirus

Disabling antivirus software exposes your system to potential threats. This action should only be done when it is essential to troubleshoot or perform a required task. Always ensure to turn your antivirus back on as soon as possible once you’ve completed the necessary steps.

Other Considerations and Best Practices

When your antivirus is off:

  • Consider performing your task in Windows Safe Mode to prevent most third-party software, including antivirus programs, from starting automatically.
  • Heed alerts from the Windows Security Center regarding the absence of real-time protection.
  • Keep other security measures in place, such as an active firewall.
  • Avoid downloading files or opening email attachments from unverified sources.
  • Ensure your operating system and applications are up to date.

After re-enabling your antivirus:

  • Update the virus definitions immediately.
  • Conduct a comprehensive system scan to rule out any potential threats that could have infiltrated your system while the antivirus was disabled.
  • Check the antivirus program logs to confirm that no threats were encountered during the period when the antivirus was off.

Handling antivirus software settings to turn off protections carries with it a significant responsibility. The steps described here are intended to aid in managing your security settings for troubleshooting. It is crucial to maintain a strong defense against potential threats by keeping antivirus software active and updated with the latest virus definitions. Stay vigilant and minimize the time your system remains unprotected.

How to Fix “Printer is in an error state” Issue?

The “ Cannot change fingerprint or PIN ” problem in Windows 11 happens when the options to change these settings are greyed out in Settings → Accounts → Sign-in options. Even if you are the administrator, you can’t update your Windows Hello credentials. You might also see a message like “ This option is temporarily unavailable. ”

How to Disable Antivirus Programs in Windows - 1

Can’t disable PIN or Fingerprint on Windows 11

This usually happens because Windows Hello’s stored data (in the Ngc folder) is damaged or not in sync. Other reasons include security rules set by your workplace or school, connected work accounts, or restrictions set in the registry or group policy.

Now that you’re aware of the potential causes, let’s go through some steps that have helped other users fix or work around this problem:

1. Change the PIN or Fingerprint the Conventional Way

If your goal is to remove the fingerprint or PIN without setting up another sign-in method, please note that this is not possible on Windows 11.

Windows 11 requires you to have at least one Sign-in option enabled. The Remove button will remain grayed out if you only have one active sign-in method.

How to Disable Antivirus Programs in Windows - 2

Can’t disable PIN or Fingerprint on Windows 11

For example, the Remove button for your PIN will stay unavailable until you add a different sign-in option (like Facial Recognition, Fingerprint, or a Security Key).

If you want to stop using your PIN or Fingerprint, you’ll need to set up an additional way to sign in.

Below are step-by-step instructions to set up a new sign-in option and then remove your current one:

  1. Press Windows key + I to open the Settings menu in Windows 11.
  2. Inside the Settings menu, click on Accounts from the vertical menu on the left. Accessing the Accounts menu Note: If the left menu is hidden by default, click the menu button (top-left corner) to reveal it.
  3. Once in the Accounts menu, move to the right-hand section of the screen and select Sign-in options. Accessing the Sign In Options menu
  4. Now, choose which sign-in method you’d like to set as a fallback. Sign-in Options Note: Your available options depend on your device. If your PC doesn’t support facial recognition or you don’t have a security key, you can switch between PIN and fingerprint.
  5. After you pick your new sign-in method, follow the on-screen instructions to set it up.
  6. Once your second sign-in option is set, you’ll be able to click the Remove button to get rid of your previous sign-in method. You can also choose Change PIN or Change Fingerprint to update, rather than remove, your sign-in credentials. Modify the current PIN or remove one of the configured sign-in options

2. Remove PIN or Fingerprint Requirement by Using a Local Account

If you want to completely remove all sign-in options like PIN or Fingerprint, you will have to switch to a local account .

We generally don’t recommend this unless you really need to, as it can limit the functionality of some built-in Windows features (like Windows Update and the Microsoft Store).

If you still want to remove your PIN or Fingerprint sign-in, you’ll need to set up a local account with a password instead. Keep in mind, this means you’ll need to stop using your Microsoft account on your PC.

Important: This method isn’t available if you’re enrolled in the Windows Insider program.

To change from a Microsoft account with PIN or fingerprint to a local password, follow these steps:

  1. Press Windows + I to open the Settings menu in Windows 11.
  2. In the Settings menu, click on Accounts from the menu on the left. Accessing the Accounts menu Note: If you don’t see the left menu, click the menu icon (top-left corner).
  3. Inside Accounts , click on Family & other users on the right-hand side. Accessing the Family and other users tab
  4. In the Family & other users tab, check for any accounts listed under Other users. If you find any, remove them before moving on.
  5. Next, return to the main Accounts menu and click on Your info on the right. Accessing the Your Info tab
  6. Scroll down to Account Settings and click on Sign in with a local account instead . Sign in with a local account instead
  7. On the next screen, click Next .
  8. When prompted, enter your current PIN or use your fingerprint as requested. Inserting the PIN
  9. Then, you’ll be asked to create a username and password for your new local account, along with a password hint in case you forget. Configure the local account
  10. Finally, click Sign out and finish to complete the switch.