How to stop Microsoft Defender from blocking third-party antivirus software on Windows

You may ask, why does Microsoft Defender block third-party antivirus software?Is this a strategy to force users to use built-in security tools?the answer is negative.Microsoft DefenderThird-party antivirus software is blocked because two different security solutions are conflicting while trying to perform similar tasks on your computer.

So how to solve this problem?Let's take a look.

how to fix Microsoft Defender Problems blocking third-party antivirus software

Windows Defender may be automatically disabled when third-party antivirus software is installed.However, if you receive a notification or prompt saying that Microsoft Defender is blocking third-party antivirus software, it means that both security solutions are active.

This may cause conflicts and affect the overall protection of the system.If you encounter such a problem, please follow the steps below.

1. Disable tamper protection

The first step to resolve this issue is to disable "Tamper Protection" in Microsoft Defender.This feature prevents malicious programs from changing security settings without your consent.To disable this feature, follow these steps:

1. Click Start and enter security in the search box.Select "Windows Security" from the search results.

2. In the Windows Security window, click Virus & Threat Protection.

3. Scroll down to "Virus and threat protection settings" and click "Manage settings."

4. Then, turn off the "Tamper Protection" switch.If prompted for confirmation, click Yes.

After disabling "Tamper Protection", check whether the third-party anti-virus software is working properly.

2. Turn off Microsoft Defender

As mentioned earlier, two active security solutions in a system may conflict.In this case, you can temporarily turn off Microsoft Defender and use third-party antivirus software.Doing so turns off all features of Microsoft Defender, including real-time protection, cloud-delivered protection, and automatic sample submission.However, you can turn it back on if needed.

3. Add exclusions for files in Windows Defender

Another method is to add third-party antivirus software to Windows Defender's exclusion list.This will prevent Microsoft Defender from scanning and blocking antivirus software.This method allows you to run two security tools at the same time.

To add exclusions, follow these steps:

1. Press Win + I to open the Windows Settings app.

2. In the left sidebar, you can find the "Privacy & Security" option.click it.

3. Next, click Windows Security and turn on virus and threat protection.This will take you to the Windows Security page.

4. Under Virus and threat protection settings, click Manage settings.

5. Scroll down and you will find the "Exclude" option.Click Add or remove exclusions.

6. If UAC prompts you for permission, click Yes.

7. Click the "Add Exclusion" button and select "Folder".In File Explorer, navigate to the folder where the third-party antivirus software is installed.

8. Select the file and click "Select Folder".You will see the folders added to the "Exclusions" section.

After adding the exclusions, close the settings window and restart your computer.After the computer restarts, Microsoft Defender should no longer block third-party antivirus software.

4. Reinstall third-party antivirus software

If you already have third-party antivirus software installed on your computer, there's a chance that Microsoft Defender may suddenly decide it doesn't like the software.This usually happens when third-party antivirus software receives an update or one of its files becomes corrupted.

If adding exclusions or turning off Microsoft Defender doesn't work, you may need to reinstall your third-party antivirus software.Doing so will reset any configuration that may be conflicting with Microsoft Defender.

After uninstalling the third-party antivirus software, restart your computer.Then, browse the official website and download the latest version.After the installation is complete, restart your computer again.This should resolve any conflicts between Microsoft Defender and third-party antivirus software.

Fix an issue where Microsoft Defender blocks third-party antivirus software

Microsoft Defender is an important security tool bundled with Windows.However, it may interfere with third-party antivirus software.Hopefully one of these solutions will help you resolve your issue.