How to Turn Off Antivirus: A Step-by-Step Guide

This guide explains how to temporarily disable antivirus software on Windows and macOS, which is sometimes needed to install certain drivers, run a specific program, or troubleshoot a conflict. You will learn the exact steps for the most common antivirus programs, how to re-enable protection, and what to do if you run into trouble.

What You’ll Need

Administrator access to your computer (you must be able to approve system changes).
Knowledge of which antivirus program you are using (check the system tray or menu bar icon).
The ability to re-enable protection after you finish — keep this guide open.

Step-by-Step

Identify your antivirus. Look for its icon in the notification area (bottom-right on Windows, top-right on macOS). If you don’t see it, click the up arrow to show hidden icons. Common programs include Windows Security (built-in), Norton, McAfee, Avast, AVG, Bitdefender, Kaspersky, and Malwarebytes.
Open the main dashboard. Double-click the icon to open the antivirus window. If you cannot find the icon, search for the program name in the Start menu (Windows) or Applications folder (macOS).
Locate the protection or shield settings. Look for a tab or button labeled “Protection,” “Security,” “Shield,” “Real-time protection,” or “Virus & threat protection.” This is where the on/off switch lives.
Turn off real-time protection. Click the toggle or switch to turn off the main protection. A pop-up may ask you to confirm or to choose how long to disable it (e.g., 10 minutes, 1 hour, or until restart). Pick the shortest option that works for your task.
Disable additional shields if needed. Some programs have separate toggles for web protection, firewall, or ransomware protection. If your task is blocked by one of those, turn it off as well. If you are only installing a driver, real-time protection is usually enough.
Confirm the change. Click “Yes,” “OK,” or “Allow” if a User Account Control (UAC) prompt appears. Your antivirus may show a warning that your PC is at risk — that is normal.
Do your task. Install the software, run the program, or perform the diagnostic. Keep the antivirus window open so you can re-enable it.
Re-enable protection. As soon as you are done, go back to the same settings and turn the toggles back on. If you chose a timed disable, it will re-enable automatically, but it is safer to do it manually.
Restart if necessary. Some changes only take effect after a reboot. If you turned off the firewall or core protection, a restart is often recommended to ensure everything is back to normal.

Common Mistakes

Forgetting to re-enable. The most common error is leaving protection off. Set a reminder or use the timed option.
Disabling the wrong thing. Turning off the firewall when you only needed to disable real-time scanning can expose your network. Disable only what is necessary.
Using the wrong toggle. Some programs have a “Pause protection” option that is temporary, and a “Disable” option that is permanent. Always choose the temporary one.
Not having admin rights. If you are on a work or school computer, you may not be allowed to change these settings. Contact your IT department instead.
Assuming the icon is the antivirus. The shield icon in the tray might be for Windows Security, not your third-party antivirus. Check the name before clicking.

Tips

Use the timed option. Most antivirus programs let you disable protection for 15 minutes, 1 hour, or until the next restart. This is the safest way.
Disconnect from the internet. If you are turning off protection to install software, consider unplugging the Ethernet cable or turning off Wi-Fi to reduce risk.
Download the file first. If you need to run an installer that the antivirus blocks, download it, then disable protection only while running the installer. Re-enable immediately after.
Create a system restore point. On Windows, create a restore point before making changes. If something goes wrong, you can roll back.
Check the official documentation. If you cannot find the toggle, search the antivirus vendor’s support site for “temporarily disable” — they often have exact instructions.

Troubleshooting

You cannot find the toggle. If the antivirus window does not show a protection switch, the program may be managed by your organization. Look for a lock icon or “Managed by your organization” message. Contact your IT admin.
The toggle turns back on immediately. Some antivirus programs have tamper protection that prevents changes. You may need to disable tamper protection first (usually in Settings > General or Security), but be aware this is a security risk.
You get a UAC prompt but no admin account. You cannot proceed without an administrator password. Ask the person who set up the computer for help.
The antivirus is still blocking after you turned it off. Some programs keep a background service running. Try restarting the computer after disabling, or also disable the firewall if it is a network issue.
You cannot re-enable protection. If the toggle is grayed out, restart the computer. If it still will not turn on, run the antivirus repair tool from its installer or contact support.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to turn off my antivirus?

Only for a short time and only when necessary. The risk of infection increases the longer protection is off. Re-enable as soon as your task is done.

How long can I leave it off?

Ideally, no longer than a few minutes. If you use the timed option, choose the shortest interval that lets you finish. Never leave it off overnight.

Will Windows Security turn off automatically?

Windows Security (Microsoft Defender) has a feature called “Tamper Protection” that may prevent you from turning it off. You can disable it temporarily, but Windows will turn it back on after a restart.

Why would I need to turn off antivirus?

Some legitimate software (like certain drivers, game cheats, or system utilities) conflicts with antivirus real-time scanning. Also, some installers are falsely flagged as malware. Turning off protection lets you install or run them.

Can I turn off antivirus on my phone?

On Android, you can force-stop or disable the antivirus app in Settings > Apps. On iPhone, antivirus apps are limited, so there is usually nothing to turn off.

What if my antivirus is a free trial that expired?

If the trial expired, the real-time protection may already be off. Uninstall the trial and rely on Windows Security (or built-in protections) until you install a new one.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.

More cards in this drawer

The whole Numbers and Powers drawer →