Uninstaling Windows Defender
How do I uninstall Windows Defender from Vista Beta 2? I am in an enterprise enviornment and want to disable it.
June 15th, 2006 2:37pm

uninstall or disable ?
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June 18th, 2006 9:38pm

Asher Wildman wrote:How do I uninstall Windows Defender from Vista Beta 2? I am in an enterprise enviornment and want to disable it.To disable the service, use the services mmc snapin (right click My Computer, Manage, then drill down to services) and stop the Windows Defender Service. To avoid it starting at next boot, you can set the service's startup type to disabled.Intertestingly, from cmd.exe SC WinDefend STOP fails. :-)Not sure how to remove it entirely. Yet.
June 19th, 2006 4:14am

Defender is ANTI Spyware ! Security Center is where you can tell VISTAI have another solution for AntiVirus and I will monitor it my self. However Most VISTAcompatableAV programs work fine with default setings inSystem center
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December 29th, 2006 3:01pm

When I uninstalled Defender by add/remive programs, it didnt uninstall entirely andevery time I restart my PC part of it runs. Defender is not listed neither in the list of services as sugested above, nor in the list of installed programs. Any clue? Thank you, Anatoli
January 17th, 2007 8:52am

Windows Defender: After using the Add or Remove Programs, download and install the following tool and check that Windows Defender is not listed. If it is, select it, click Remove, and Exit. Restart.After completion you can save or delete the tool.http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=kb;en-us;290301 Another way by running ( Bill Sanderson recommended ): msiexec /uninstall windowsdefender.msi /quiet /log uninstall.log Efrain
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January 18th, 2007 2:24am

I'm not sure I like Vista from ther lack of control I have over it. I ran the Clean up utility, but it doesn't see anything besides itself. (No native windows installs) That really ticks me off. I know in XP there was a file you could modify SYSOC.INF that would allow you to see their hidden apps in the add/remove programs area. I ran the remove command msiexec with all the switches recommended, but that didn't leave any notice in the log file. Ran it again without switches and got the following error that it either couldn't find it or I didn't have access to it. I'm a local admin and I don't see how I would be denied access. I did enable the local admin account on the machine as well. I'll try th esecurity center next to see if that works or not. Ok this is really stupid, the new feature of being able to see services on taskman is great, but what $uCK$ is that you cannot stop, start of modify them there. You have to manage the PC to do that. Thanks for the useless feature. I tried running a search for windowsdefender.msi and the search cannot find it. So I assume that the .msi was uninstalled, however I would think the service would be gone as well as the DIR in program files. This OS is so productive.
January 21st, 2007 3:05pm

wow thanks for that i was pulling my hair out trying to disable it TY again m8
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July 12th, 2007 2:01pm

Efran Morales wrote: Windows Defender: After using the Add or Remove Programs, download and install the following tool and check that Windows Defender is not listed. If it is, select it, click Remove, and Exit. Restart.After completion you can save or delete the tool.http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=kb;en-us;290301 Another way by running ( Bill Sanderson recommended ): msiexec /uninstall windowsdefender.msi /quiet /log uninstall.log Efrain hi ! efrain ! vista dznt list in the add-rem progs. and not sure how the mentioned utility helps. and im just curious, does running : msiexec /uninstall windowsdefender.msi /quiet /log uninstall.log uninstal defender completely? i'd genuinely like to know as iv not tried it personally...
July 13th, 2007 10:47am

I have successfully disabled defender as you recomend. I now get the following error message every time I load up 'Application failed to initialize: 0x800106ba. A problem caused this program's service to stop. To start the service, restart your computer or search Help and Support for how to start a sevice manually' Any ideas howI can stop theis pop-up? Thanks, Chris
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August 18th, 2007 2:45pm

enable defender again., ie ensure services it on automatic. reboot. open defender > tools > options > disbale realtime. run msconfig > startups > remove/ uncheck windows dender. THEN go to Services tab and disable Defenders service. hope this helps.
August 21st, 2007 4:49am

Yes you can stop this popup. If you goto MSCONFIG you can goto your startup options. You'll find Windows Defender still in there. If you goto Services.msc you'll probably see that the Windows Defender service is already Disabled if you've disabled it previously. Kind Regards Mike
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August 23rd, 2007 4:18pm

Take a look here: http://www.groovypost.com/howto/microsoft/vista/remove-windows-defender-from-vista-system-startup/
September 29th, 2007 3:53pm

this information is very helpful; although it is too advanced for the average person like myself. I finally did what it says and found what it was talking about after two weeks of reading everything. It should have step by step instructions where "services"and"service's startup type" are located, and how to get to them.
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October 14th, 2007 3:52pm

Just use Tools/Options and scroll down where you will see disable option
November 27th, 2007 4:52pm

As long as people disable it from start-up it shouldn't cause a problem. It's worked for me.
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February 14th, 2008 3:34am

I have dell xp home. window defender is in the config. sys. under service. I can only uncheck the box and my anti viris still will not install until I remove it from the computer. Do I have to reformat my hard drive?
June 10th, 2008 12:00am

I was told on vista it is in the control panel
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June 10th, 2008 12:02am

if you want to disable it permanently read this article. let me know if it worked. i have other solution but they are a little more complicated
June 10th, 2008 3:25am

Greetings Folks, To answer your query with a few facts - Windows Defender is designed as an built-in feature in Windows Vista (Duh, Yeah I know you know that!) You can disable it - via MSCONFIG &/Or Services (as many have explained above) You cannot (Yes How Very Disappointing) entirely remove and/or uninstall the annoying piece of technical-gloom!Hence my suggestion - Either - go back to Windows XP - which is what I am using on my primary computer. Or - Live with it - Microsoft is too paranoid to give control to disable Windows Defender -not to mention it is the least effective module of Windows Vista! I would rather be upfront than 'hopeful' ! Despite all that - I love Microsoft Windows so .. there we go!CheersThe Boy On the Cover!
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August 22nd, 2008 4:28am

It sounds like a much cleaner way to disable Defender through the Security Center, but could you kindly tell me where in Security Center to do that? I'm using Vista Home Premium, and all I can find is a way to get a list of current anti-spyware, and a greyed out button to enable each. I don't see anything to disable them. I can't use the Group Policy Object in mmc becuase Vista home doesn't include it. Is the best way to disable Defender in Home just to turn off the service? Sincerely,
October 17th, 2008 5:30pm

HappyAndyK wrote: enable defender again., ie ensure services it on automatic. reboot. open defender > tools > options > disbale realtime. run msconfig > startups > remove/ uncheck windows dender. THEN go to Services tab and disable Defenders service. hope this helps. Thank you for posting this solution! It worked! I no longer have to see that message pop up when I log onto my computer!
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October 21st, 2008 10:23pm

^ You are welcome
October 22nd, 2008 10:29am

Sweet, this was the ultimate solution for that message. Now I again can stop some programs to run when starting Thanks
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March 8th, 2009 11:10pm

We have 2 computers. One with Windows XP and one with Windows Vista, which is new and which is where the problem is.The day before yesterday, I was the Windows Defender icon in the lower right hand corner. But, before it did the scan, we shut off the computer.Yesterday, and again today,when we turned the computer on, we got this error message:"Windows DefenderApplication failed to initialize 0x800106ba. A program caused this program's dervice to stop. To start the service, restart your computer or search Help and Support for how to start a service manually."Today I tried to chat with Verizon online. They linked me with Microsoft which told me what to do. But, when I typed "run" and then typed appwiz.cpl to try to uninstall and then reinstall it, Windows Defender didn't appear on the list.
March 13th, 2009 5:20pm

thank you thank you thank you
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April 11th, 2009 5:44am

Asher Wildman wrote: How do I uninstall Windows Defender from Vista Beta 2? I am in an enterprise enviornment and want to disable it. To disable the service, use the services mmc snapin (right click My Computer, Manage, then drill down to services) and stop the Windows Defender Service. To avoid it starting at next boot, you can set the service's startup type to disabled.Intertestingly, from cmd.exe SC WinDefend STOP fails. :-)Not sure how to remove it entirely. Yet. Cheers that worked.
April 18th, 2009 5:12am

The most common reason 'Vista' users want to remove 'Windows Defender' is because they may have installed a security program such as 'McAfee.' After such an installation, it is quite common to receive an error messageApplication failed to be initialized: 0800106ba" at every sytem startup. Before you install an alternative Security program you should first run 'Windows Defender' & uncheck the "Use Windows Defender box" in the "Tools Menu." This will disable the progam. Wow, wazithim, you are genius!!! This is the ONLYWORKING SOLUTIONIfound so far!!!All these other suggestions of removing then reinstalling something are NOT working.....I am sure many others out there are as frustrating as I am with regards to this problem (application failed to initialized 0x800106ba...) and some others trying to sell you some sort of utility program to fix the problemcan only frustrate you more...Thank you for the REAL SOLUTION!!
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April 26th, 2009 10:38am

Wazithim, You are brilliant. This is a perfect answer. Thank you so much.
August 2nd, 2009 6:38pm

I could kiss you! Have spent hours trying to get rid of the annoying 'Failed to initialize 0x800106ba' message that started appearing each time I booted up. During my tortuous trawl through the net, I learned that Defender is inbuilt with Vista, it cannot be reinstalled as it has to be uninstalled first - and Vista doesn't let you uninstall! You can only fix errors or disable Defender. I just wanted to get it working properly.... Anyway, I tried other people's various suggestions - useless. I found what you had written and now know that Defender's properties, and the properties of the dependent programs you mention, can be changed by some installations and be set to Manual Start instead of Automatic start. I followed your instructions - they are brilliant and did the trick! At last. Thank you so much! I have finally got rid of the annoying error message each time I start the PC, and I have my Defender operational once more - I can get on with my life now......:-)
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August 8th, 2009 12:26pm

You shouldnt unistall Windows Defender it is a very helpful program espically if your Anti-virus program doesnt work at the moment. But if you want to disable it follow these easy steps.1. Press Start 2. In the search box type services.msc3.Scroll down to Windows Defender and right click on it4. Then click on Stop Thats how you disable it. I wont recommand you fully get rid of it and its very hard to get rid of because its default in the Windows Vista program unlike XP.
August 12th, 2009 11:27am

Do you have a sister named Elizabeth? I worked at Camp Shiloh this summer and was wondering if you have been there. Thanks, Bill Burgess
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August 14th, 2009 1:22pm

in vista you cannot remove win defender only disable its.i.e.9.0
October 15th, 2009 10:15pm

The most common reason 'Vista' users want to remove 'Windows Defender' is because they may have installed a security program such as 'McAfee.' After such an installation, it is quite common to receive an error message “Application failed to be initialized: 0×800106ba" at every sytem startup. Before you install an alternative Security program you should first run 'Windows Defender' & uncheck the "Use Windows Defender box" in the "Tools Menu." This will disable the progam.If you already get the error message above, then Go to Start > Run and type "services.msc " Look for Windows Defender and double click to bring up the properties window Set the Startup type “Automatic” Here you will see the "Dependancies" Tab. Inside it tells you that 'Windows Defender' depends on "Remote Procedure Call (RPC)." So now, go back to the 'Services' window & scroll up to find "Remote Procedure Call (RPC) & Remote Procedure Call (RPC)Locator" Set both of these to 'Automatic.'Restart you computer & the error message will no longer come up & 'Windows Defender' shall be running normaly. It should run alongside your alternative security program without any problems or slow processing. But, if you wish to disable it, just do it as described above in the 'Windows Defender' Tools menu. I guess this works while you still have a Start bar at the bottom of your screen.I do not.I was lucky that I automatically sign into Yahoo Messenger upon restarting the computer.I am on a Dell laptop, using Microsoft XP. I experienced a moment of unintelligence and hit "Protect my Computer" or something stupid like that.Currently, I have no Start bar, cannot enter Control Panel, because of this, and cannot open Task Manager.I have downloaded Spyware Doctor, but they also enjoy asking for people's money. I need help...obviously.Like...as soon as possible.And I need this is simple terms. Being raised by computer programmers does not make me a genius.Thank you.-RavynLuna
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February 3rd, 2010 2:53pm

Hi everyone thought id share the news!! there is a FAKE windows antivirus and windows defender that is actually a dangerous virus. you will know when u have this virus as it wont let you access the internet at all saying please purchase the software !! There is two ways of removing the virus option system restore to a point before the virus got into your system. Option 2 reformat your pc and lose all your data Hope this helps Jay
February 3rd, 2010 4:17pm

Opening MpCmdRun it flashed but I used Print Screen/SysRq I pasted it to Paint.Note it was blurry and I only got part of it.0x1 Service0x2 Malware Protection Engine0x4 User-Interface0x8 Real-Time Protection0x10 Scheduled Actions[-Level-]0x1 Errors0x2 Warnings0x4 Informational messages0x8 Funtional messages0x10 Scheduled Actions-GetFiles Gather the following files and package them together in a compressed file in the support directory-Any trace files from Windows Defender-The Windows Update history log-All WinDefend or WinDefendRTy<? events from the System and Application event log-All relevent Windows Defender registry locations-All software information from Software Explorer-Remove DefinitionsAnd thats it. I hope this helps. Does any one have a computer that will let you show all of this.Also I dont understand some of it. Like support directory and what are trace files.
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March 2nd, 2010 3:13am

Yes its 3:39 I've been workin on fixing my windows defender everything didn't work until I did the dependecies. Thanks. But when I opened it I set it to do a full scan it did it again I'm gonna try and reboot. But, I noticed the Locator one worked but the other was greyed out.
March 2nd, 2010 3:42am

Sorry about all the replies. I was searching for a WinDefender replacement, and I noticed that on a forum this person said Defender is being ended in the summer.So all I wanna know now is a real good replacement. Got any ideas. Also for removing it entirely my above reply should give people and idea of what to remove.
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March 2nd, 2010 2:48pm

you can uninstall windows defender if you wish all you need is to add the Take ownership button to the right click menu. http://www.howtogeek.com/downloads/TakeOwnership.zip download that run the Reg file then go to program files right click on windows defender press take ownership then delete :) worked for me. also deleted all the other useless windows apps that i didnt want by useing that.
March 18th, 2010 5:05am

Try going into your local c drive from computer and go to program files and find the folder then see wat u can do from there
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September 29th, 2010 10:13pm

Your syntax is wrong! It should be cmd.exe > sc stop windefend . Not cmd.exe > sc windefend stop!
October 23rd, 2010 12:59am

When working with services it is not nessary to reboot. To disable a service instantly firstly stop the service in %windir%\system32\services.msc started with administrative previleges (shift+ctrl+return in start menu) and secondly disable it. For me disabling the service worked on Windows 7 64 bit. But still i receive definition updates through microsoft update. So i tweaked the Windows Defender Group Policy according to http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927367/ . Group Policy editor is only available in windows Server and at least professional versions (business, ultimate). Unfortunately Group Policy editor is not available in Windows home premium, but the related registry settings of kb 927367 can be modified manually. Cheers Philip
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October 26th, 2010 6:39am

This question has been around like forever. Windows Defender needs all rights to start off with, meaning automatic. To disable, one needs to get into the windows defender program in tools and options. Turn it off there. Let us go further. You have to run msconfig (start, run, type msconfig). go to startup and uncheck windows defender and apply. restart. Now that it is not running in startup, disable services by (start, run, type services.msc) and scroll down to windows defender and right click, properties, and change to disabled, apply. Now restart. You should have it. No errors or windows defender interfering. You can not un-install it.
November 29th, 2010 4:38pm

To remove windows defender from vista sp2 go into my computer C: Programs Find Windows Defender, Edit Administrator Permissions In properties To Allow Full Permission To (Users/ Administrators) Apply action to file and all extensions In Windows Defender After Applying Permissions Close Properties And Editors. Delete Windows Defender From C: Programs. Free Registry Cleaner (CCLEANER) www.piriform.com download ccleaner and run to clean registry 100% Free Restart PC After Deleting Windows Defender And There You Go. No More Windows Defender In Vista.
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March 4th, 2012 4:06pm

On my computer the only option given for the above instructions is to START. When it is open in properties, there is no option to disable the service. What now? Thanks!!
March 25th, 2012 1:31am

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