Malware can add registry entries that disable the real-time monitoring capabilities of Windows Defender, and also hide certain parts of the Windows Defender user interface from users.įirst, make sure you eliminate malware with help from an expert or friend - given the complexity of the malware infestation, professional help may be suggested. Here is how it should look after resetting them. If you had used (or using) anti-spy tools such as O&O ShutUp10, make sure you reset all “Windows Defender and Microsoft SpyNet” settings in O&O ShutUp10. Cause Third-party privacy protection tools This post tells you how to activate Windows Defender real-time protection and other settings by removing the entire Windows Defender registry-based policies previously added by malware, a 3rd party tweaker, or a privacy protection tool. In that case, you’ll see the message “You’re using other antivirus providers.” instead. If you’ve installed a 3rd party anti-virus, Windows Defender gets disabled automatically. Windows Defender: “This setting is managed by your administrator.” The controls for real-time protection, cloud-based protection, and Automatic sample submission options may be disabled and locked down or grayed out. Here is how the Windows Defender Settings page might look like.
