How do I temporarily disable antivirus?

Answered by Edward Huber

To temporarily disable the antivirus software on your Windows computer, you can follow these steps:

1. Start by opening the Windows Security app. To do this, you can simply select the Start button on your desktop and type “Windows Security” in the search bar. From the search results, click on the Windows Security app to open it.

2. Once you have the Windows Security app open, you will see several options on the main screen. Look for the “Virus & threat protection” option and click on it.

3. In the Virus & threat protection settings, you will find various options related to your antivirus software. Look for the “Manage settings” link and click on it.

4. Now, you will see a list of settings related to virus and threat protection. One of these settings is for “Real-time protection.” Real-time protection constantly scans your computer for potential threats. To temporarily disable the antivirus, you need to switch Real-time protection to Off.

5. Click on the toggle switch next to Real-time protection to turn it off. You may see a warning or prompt asking for confirmation. If prompted, confirm the action to disable real-time protection.

By following these steps, you have temporarily disabled the antivirus software on your Windows computer. It is important to note that disabling your antivirus leaves your computer vulnerable to potential threats, so it is recommended to enable it again as soon as you no longer need it disabled.

Remember, it is crucial to have antivirus protection active on your computer to safeguard against viruses and other malicious software. Disabling it temporarily should only be done if you have a specific reason and understand the associated risks.

Please keep in mind that the steps provided above may vary slightly depending on the version of Windows and the antivirus software you have installed.