How to Enable or Disable Windows 10 & 11 Tamper Protection

By Timothy Tibbetts

on 07/18/2023

Tamper Protection is a smart Windows Security feature added in the Windows 10 1803 update. Tamper Protection does not allow malicious apps to modify Windows Defender, including real-time and cloud-delivered protection. Tamper Protection works seamlessly with all other antivirus programs.

Tamper Protection works by protecting any attempts to modify Windows Defender settings via the registry and makes a log file if any such action is attempted. Traditional methods can't turn off windows Defender because the DisableAntiSpyware is protected.

Tamper Protection is on by default, and if turned off, you will see a yellow warning icon in the Taskbar and Windows Security.

If Tamper Protection is off, or you need to turn it off, go to Start > Settings > Update & security > Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Manage settings and toggle Tamper Protection on or off.

Easier still, click on the Windows Security icon in your taskbar and go to Virus & threat protection > Manage settings and toggle Tamper Protection on or off.

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