Temporarily Disabling MSE

[BobH]

One of the cautions given with instructions for installing XAMPP is to disable virus protection. The only thing I run is Microsoft's Security Essentials. Articles I found online didn't give me instructions that I could follow in Windows 10.

When I look for it in the Windows programs sidebar and in Control Panel Programs and Applications, I can't find anything with that name. One article said that I would find an icon in the system tray but I can find no such icon.

Can anyone tell me how to find, disable and re-enable MSE?

My plan is to download the install files I need then shut down my Internet connection before installing XAMPP and Wordpress then restarting MSE and my Internet connection when those tasks are done.

[HansV]

Do you really mean Microsoft Security Essentials, or the default anti-malware software included with Windows: Windows Security (aka Windows Defender)?

[BobH]

Thanks, Hans.

I thought the anti-virus in Windows 10 was called MSE. The fact that I couldn't find it under that name should have been a clue that I was wrong.

Now that I know that it is called Windows Defender, I was able to find instructions for disabling it. This raises another question. What, if any, effect does disabling Cloud-delivered Protection and Automatic Sample Submission have? Should I also disable these apps while installing XAMPP?

[HansV]

No, I'd leave those enabled. In fact, I would leave all of Windows Security enabled.

[BobH]

Thanks, Hans!

I usually do leave it all enabled. I want to temporarily disable the AV while installing XAMPP as I've read that the AV can interfere with the installation. I will only disable it after shutting down all Internet access and will enable it after completing the XAMPP install.

[StuartR]

I always ignore instructions to disable my antivirus software before installing things. If the installation fails then I can always try again later with the AV disabled.

[BobH]

Thanks, Stuart.