Thinktechno.com

It’s simply weired that in Windows Vista won’t let you uninstall Windows Defender which is kinda ultimate useless application of all time. :D Strangely it does allow uninstalling in Windows XP.

Now that Windows Vista installs Windows Defender by default, many people are looking for ways to disable, uninstall or remove it from system so that they could install any other anti-spyware programs. Besides using some precious cpu and memory resources Windows Defender as I already told you is a lameware, also because if you use something like Kaspersky Internet Security its almost impossible for spywares to get inside.

Here is how to safely disable Windows Defender in Windows Vista. There are 2 simple ways to stop Windows Defender from auto starting when Windows is booted up.

The first way is to disable the service completely.
1. Go to Start > Run and type services.msc
2. Now look for the service named Windows Defender, double click to bring up the properties window.
3. Click “Stop” button to stop Windows Defender services and set the Startup type “Disabled”

4. Go to Start > Run and type msconfig
5. Go to Startup tab and uncheck Windows Defender displayed at Startup Item.

Important: If you only stop and disable Windows Defender from Services and did not disable Windows Defender at MSCONFIG, you’ll get the following error message “Application failed to initialized: 0×800106ba. 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 service manually.”

Now the safer way
1. Open Windows Defender.

2. Select Tools

3. Select Options.

4. Now scroll to the bottom .

5. Under Administrator options, uncheck the Use Windows Defender checkbox.

6. Click Save.

7. When the UAC prompt appears, click Continue.

A window will then appear, notifying you that Windows Defender is turned off. Click Close.

Disabling Windows Defender in Windows will leave your computer unprotected from spywares unless you have a good anti-spywares solution. I would recommend getting Kaspersky Internet Security because its all round solution to all your anti-crapware lists. Another fairly good alternative is AVG Anti-Spyware Free Edition 7.5 which is quite popular amongst people as its completely free for home users.

Pranjal