Microsoft Windows Defender keeps switching on - WKB329302
Article number: 329302
SYMPTOMS
- Windows Defender cannot be disabled; on a newly imaged Waters PC, Windows Defender software is enabled
- Attempting to disable the software by registry keys or other hacks does not work; after roughly 10 minutes, the registry keys disappear and Defender is active again
ENVIRONMENT
- Windows 11
- Windows 10
- Empower
- MassLynx
- waters_connect
CAUSE
Microsoft has made a change to Windows so that Defender antivirus software is on by default. It cannot be disabled. See this Microsoft article:
Microsoft Defender Antivirus compatibility with other security products
Defender will be deactivated by Microsoft ONLY when a non-Microsoft antivirus product is installed.
FIX or WORKAROUND
- Install a non-Microsoft antivirus product.
- Ensure that the correct exclusions are configured. See Recommended antivirus exclusions, firewall setup and UAC settings for MassLynx - WKB21150
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION