Installing an Antivirus will now turn off Microsoft Defender

Microsoft Defender Antivirus offers great protection for your computer, especially after the new ATP security cross-platform.

However, many admins and users are disabling Microsoft Defender to install other antivirus programs in a convenient way, just changing a registry key.

Now, Microsoft wants to disable the DisableAntiSpyware registry key used for turning off Microsoft Defender starting with the Windows 10 August 2020 update.

Microsoft has acknowledged the fact in the documentation page for the DisableAntiSpyware registry key.

Why is Microsoft disabling the DisableAntiSpyware registry key?

The first alarming reactions from the users required another update of the above-mentioned documentation from Microsoft which now explained their action:

This is a legacy setting that is no longer necessary as Microsoft Defender antivirus automatically turns itself off when it detects another antivirus program. This setting is not intended for consumer devices, and we’ve decided to remove this registry key. This change is included with Microsoft Defender Antimalware platform versions 4.18.2007.8 and higher KB 4052623.

To put this into more simple words, the registry key is no longer needed as Microsoft Defender will turn off if and when it detects another antivirus program.

We only recommended disabling Microsoft Defender in particular, unusual situations as the feature is the main line of defense against malware, viruses, and other threats for your PC.

If the Windows Defend doesn’t turn on, this excellent guide will help you fix the problem.

What do you think about this change from Microsoft? Share your opinion in the Comments section below.

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