Uninstalling Windows Defender

  • Thread starter Thread starter Will Pittenger
  • Start date Start date
W

Will Pittenger

From the moment my new Vista Ultimate SP1 machine arrived, Defender
hasn't worked. At first, it was crashing. Now it doesn't appear to be
running, but MS Update wants to install an update that won't install.
Is there a way to uninstall Defender? I have other products that don't
crash now and don't need Defender.
 
That FAQ didn't help. It talked about a control panel item I can't
find. Besides, I want to completely uninstall Defender, not fix it.
 
Will Update still attempt to download and install updates for Defender.
Remember, the problem is that I have one that doesn't work.
 
Hi,

The update check is part of WD, so if it is disabled the check will not run.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
Vote for my shoe: http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

Will Pittenger said:
Will Update still attempt to download and install updates for Defender.
Remember, the problem is that I have one that doesn't work.
-------
Will Pittenger
[will 6 8 at mtco dot com] (preferred e-mail address)
Or use [will dot pittenger 1 at gmail dot com]

Rick said:
Hi,

On a clean Vista install, it's not removable. You can simply disable it
and have the same effect.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Hi,

Run services.msc and disable the Windows Defender service. Simply double
click it and set the startup type to disabled.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
Vote for my shoe: http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

Will Pittenger said:
Can't get it running. But the update check DOES run.
-------
Will Pittenger
[will 6 8 at mtco dot com] (preferred e-mail address)
Or use [will dot pittenger 1 at gmail dot com]

Rick said:
Hi,

The update check is part of WD, so if it is disabled the check will not
run.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
It happened to be stopped when I went there. I set to disabled just in
case. It still shows the update that won't install, but I told Update
to hide that update. I don't know if that will fix it or not.
 
Hi Will,

Corrupted System File; Need to perform an in-place upgrade or reinstall of
the OS.

Some Windows Vista functions may not work, or Windows
Vista may stop responding

Use the System File Checker tool (SFC.exe)

How to use the System File Checker tool to troubleshoot missing or corrupted
system files on Windows Vista or on Windows 7
<http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929833>


Good luck
-=-


Will Pittenger said:
It happened to be stopped when I went there. I set to disabled just in
case. It still shows the update that won't install, but I told Update
to hide that update. I don't know if that will fix it or not.
-------
Will Pittenger
[will 6 8 at mtco dot com] (preferred e-mail address)
Or use [will dot pittenger 1 at gmail dot com]

Rick said:
Hi,

Run services.msc and disable the Windows Defender service. Simply double
click it and set the startup type to disabled.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
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