- On the Windows desktop, navigate to the Control Panel after clicking the Start menu.
- Select Administrative Tools --> Edit group policy from the Control Panel to open the Local Group Policy Editor window.
- Click Computer Configuration --> Administrative Templates --> Windows Components --> Windows Defender Antivirus.
- Click on the Turn off Windows Defender Antivirus option that is located under the Settings section.
- Now, select Disabled or Not Configured checkboxes under the Turn off Windows Defender Antivirus option.
- Close the window and navigate to the Search Panel by clicking the Start menu.
- Type 'Windows Defender Security Center' in the search panel and press the Enter key to open the Windows Defender Security Center.
- Click on the Virus & threat protection settings and verify whether both the Real-time protection and Cloud-delivered protection options are enabled.
- If it was not enabled, navigate to Windows Components and select Windows Defender Security Center.