To disabled Microsoft Defender on Windows 11, follow these essential steps:

  1. Ensure Tamper Protection is disabled if applicable for the changes to take effect:

    • Search for "Virus & Threat Protection" in the Start menu and click its result.
    • Select "Manage settings" in the "Virus & threat protection settings" section.
    • Find "Tamper Protection," toggle it to Off, and confirm the action if prompted.
  2. Then proceed to turn off Real-time protection:

    • Follow the previous step and navigate to "Manage settings" once more.
    • Locate and toggle the slider labeled "Real-time protection" to Off.

Please note that disabling Microsoft Defender antivirus protection makes your device potentially more susceptible to viruses and other threats. If you prefer not to completely disable it, consider installing a third-party antivirus software which should automatically deactivate Microsoft Defender after installation has completed. Also, understand that some methods such as editing the registry or service management may lead to various issues due to the built-in self-healing mechanisms meant to protect users against removal attempts.