Windows Defender Is Turned off by Group Policy
By Timothy Tibbettson 07/05/2023 |
Windows Defender is turned off by Group Policy is an error message that requires you to turn Defender back on via Settings, Group Policy, or the Registry depending on how it was turned off. Windows Defender could have been shut off by other security software as well. Here's how to turn it back on.
1: Verify Windows Defender Is On
The most obvious solution is to check that Windows Defender hasn't been turned off. You can verify this by going to Windows Defender Security Center from the System tray > Virus & threat protection > Virus & threat protection settings > Real-time protection and making sure that's toggled on. If you can't access Windows Defender from the System try, go to your Control Panel > Updates & Security > Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Virus & threat protection settings.
2: Enable Windows Defender using Group Policy
Since the error message states that Windows Defender is turned off by Group Policy, let's look there next.
Press the Windows Key + R and type in gpedit.msc.
Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Defender Antivirus. On the right, double-click Turn off Windows Defender Antivirus. It should be set to Not configured.
If you had to change it to Not Configured, reboot now. Otherwise, we can try the next step.
3: Edit The Registry
Press the Windows Key + R and type in regedit.
Enter HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftWindows Defender in the top search box.
If you see a key called DisableAntiSpyware, right-click on that key and select delete.
4: Scan for Malware
Most malware is advanced enough to shut down any security software so that it can do its thing. A complete scan with Malwarebytes should do the trick.
Similar:
What's the Best Antivirus and Is Windows Defender Good Enough - 2018 Edition
Solved: Microsoft Defender Threat Service Has Stopped
Windows Defender Security Center - Sign in to Microsoft for Enhanced Security
Enable Windows Defender Application Guard for Microsoft Edge
Windows Defender Turned off or Not Working
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1: Verify Windows Defender Is On
The most obvious solution is to check that Windows Defender hasn't been turned off. You can verify this by going to Windows Defender Security Center from the System tray > Virus & threat protection > Virus & threat protection settings > Real-time protection and making sure that's toggled on. If you can't access Windows Defender from the System try, go to your Control Panel > Updates & Security > Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Virus & threat protection settings.
2: Enable Windows Defender using Group Policy
Since the error message states that Windows Defender is turned off by Group Policy, let's look there next.
Press the Windows Key + R and type in gpedit.msc.
Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Defender Antivirus. On the right, double-click Turn off Windows Defender Antivirus. It should be set to Not configured.
If you had to change it to Not Configured, reboot now. Otherwise, we can try the next step.
3: Edit The Registry
Press the Windows Key + R and type in regedit.
Enter HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftWindows Defender in the top search box.
If you see a key called DisableAntiSpyware, right-click on that key and select delete.
4: Scan for Malware
Most malware is advanced enough to shut down any security software so that it can do its thing. A complete scan with Malwarebytes should do the trick.
Similar:
What's the Best Antivirus and Is Windows Defender Good Enough - 2018 Edition
Solved: Microsoft Defender Threat Service Has Stopped
Windows Defender Security Center - Sign in to Microsoft for Enhanced Security
Enable Windows Defender Application Guard for Microsoft Edge
Windows Defender Turned off or Not Working
comments powered by Disqus
