How to Start/Stop Windows Defender service
Service name: WinDefend
Display name: Windows Defender
Description:
Protection against spyware and potentially unwanted software.
Path to executable:
C:\Windows\System32\svchost.exe -
CMD:
This method shows you how to Start/Stop Windows Defender service from Command Prompt
Please perform the following steps:
Please go to Start and click on the Search programs and files
Type cmd, right click on cmd icon under the Programs and click on Run as administrator
Please confirm User Account Control pop-
Please select, right and copy a registry key from below, then right click on command prompt window, select Paste and press Enter
To Start Windows Defender service:
net start WinDefend
Note: You can’t start a service if Startup type is on Disabled.
To Stop Windows Defender service:
net stop WinDefend
To change Startup type:
Automatic:
REG add "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\WinDefend" /v Start /t REG_DWORD /d 2 /f
Manual:
REG add "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\WinDefend" /v Start /t REG_DWORD /d 3 /f
Disabled:
REG add "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\WinDefend" /v Start /t REG_DWORD /d 4 /f
Automatic (Delayed Start):
REG add "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\WinDefend" /v Start /t REG_DWORD /d 2 /f
Note: When you change to Automatic (Delayed Start) a new key DelayedAutostart is created with value 1.
REG add "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\WinDefend" /v DelayedAutostart /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
When you change to Automatic from Automatic (Delayed Start), DelayedAutostart change value to 0.
REG add "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\WinDefend" /v DelayedAutostart /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f