Preventing Tampering with Windows Security Settings
Windows built-in antivirus, Windows Security (formerly known as Windows Defender), has evolved into a reliable and fully capable protection solution. Today, it delivers a level of security that closely matches popular third-party antivirus programs like Avast and AVG.
Thanks to continuous improvements and frequent updates, Windows Security has reached a point where most users no longer need to purchase an external antivirus solution. Microsoft regularly introduces new features designed to provide maximum protection for user data, and one of the most important among them is Tamper Protection.
Tamper Protection is a security feature designed to prevent malware and malicious programs from making unauthorized changes to Windows Security settings in order to avoid detection. By default, this feature is disabled, which can leave your system exposed to potential threats. That’s why it’s important to understand what Tamper Protection is, why it matters, and how to enable it to keep your Windows device secure.
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| What Is Tamper Protection and How to Enable It in Windows? |
What Is Tamper Protection?
According to Microsoft, Tamper Protection is designed to block malware and malicious programs that have already infiltrated a system from modifying critical Windows Security settings. This includes attempts to disable key protections such as Real-Time Protection, Cloud-delivered protection, or Automatic sample submission, a feature that sends suspicious files to Microsoft for deeper analysis.
In simpler terms, Tamper Protection makes it much harder for malware to “silence” your antivirus after infecting your device. Many malicious programs try to turn off security features to avoid detection and keep running unnoticed. Tamper Protection exists specifically to stop these tactics.
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| Windows Security Settings |
When enabled, Tamper Protection prevents any security feature in Windows Security from being disabled unless the authorized user does so manually through the official Windows Security app. Any indirect attempts, such as modifying the Windows Registry, using the Group Policy Editor, or running Command Prompt (CMD) commands, will fail.
You can still change security settings yourself normally through the app, and once Tamper Protection is enabled, you won’t notice any difference in daily use. For this reason, enabling it is strongly recommended.
Keep in mind that Tamper Protection only applies to Windows Security settings. If you’re using a third-party antivirus program, this feature won’t protect its configuration. However, many advanced antivirus solutions include a similar anti-tampering feature, which you can usually find and enable within their security settings.
How to Enable Tamper Protection in Windows
As mentioned earlier, once Tamper Protection is enabled, malicious software will no longer be able to modify Windows Security settings. This protection doesn’t apply only to malware, any indirect method of changing security settings will also be blocked. For example, you won’t be able to enable or disable certain security features using Command Prompt (CMD) or by editing the Windows Registry. The Windows Security app becomes the only authorized interface for managing these settings.
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| How to Enable Tamper Protection in Windows? |
Steps to Turn On Tamper Protection
To enable Tamper Protection, you first need to open the Windows Security app. You can do this in one of the following ways:
- Double-click the Windows Security icon in the system tray (next to the clock), or
- Press Win + S, type Windows Security in the search bar, then click Open from the results.
Once the Windows Security window opens:
- Go to Virus & threat protection from the left-hand menu.
- Under Virus & threat protection settings, click Manage settings.
- Scroll down until you find Tamper Protection.
- Toggle the switch to On.
That’s it, Tamper Protection is now enabled.
We strongly recommend activating this feature on all devices running Windows 10 or Windows 11, as it adds an extra layer of defense against unauthorized changes and helps keep your system security intact.
Final Thoughts
Tamper Protection is a simple yet highly effective security feature that many Windows users overlook. By preventing malware and unauthorized tools from disabling or modifying critical Windows Security settings, it closes one of the most common loopholes used by malicious software to stay hidden. The best part is that enabling it takes only a few clicks and doesn’t affect your daily use of the system in any way.
If you rely on Windows Security as your primary antivirus solution, activating Tamper Protection is a smart and necessary step. It ensures your protection features remain active at all times and gives you greater peace of mind against modern threats. For maximum security, make sure this feature is enabled on every Windows 10 and Windows 11 device you use.