The recent Windows 10 May 2019 Update comes with a Windows Security feature known as “tamper protection” which is also the Windows Defender antivirus. However, if you install the May 2019 Update, the tamper protection is set off by default, you’ll know this because Windows will keep reminding you to put it on alerting you that your system might be vulnerable.
What then is Tamper Protection?
As defined by Microsoft, Tamper Protection is what “helps prevent malicious apps from changing important Windows Defender Antivirus settings, including real-time protection and cloud-delivered protection”. That is to say that, Tamper Protection prevents the running of malicious software on your system and disabling antivirus protection as well as other features.
You are still able to configure settings on your own using the Windows Security app. Tamper Protection doesn’t really make any changes to the way you’ve customized your PC, all the more reason to enable it.
Also keep in mind that Tamper Protection only affects the settings of Windows Security. If you’re making use of third-party antivirus, the settings of that antivirus will not be protected. Be that as it may, there are a few third-party computer antivirus programs that have something like a tamper protection feature that protects its settings.
Settings that are protected provide real-time protection, cloud-delivered protection, IOfficeAntivirus (IOAV), behavior monitoring, and removing security intelligence updates. Apps will not be able to alter these settings with the use of mobile device management and enterprise solutions, command-line options, group policy, the Windows registry, or any other process as long as the feature is enabled.
How to enable Tamper Protection
The setting is located in the Windows Security app. To open it, use Windows Search box to search for Windows Security, or you click the “Windows Security” shortcut, double-click the Windows Security shield icon in your notification area (also system tray), or go to Settings then, Update & Security then, Windows Security and finally, Open Windows Security.
You may see a prompt to enable Tamper Protection. All you have to do is click “Turn On”.
If you don’t see the prompt, click the Virus & threat protection icon (it is shaped like a shield).
Click “Manage Settings” link under the Virus & threat protection settings.
Find the Tamper Protection setting and click the switch to toggle it on.
If you want to disable the Tamper Protection any time in the future for any reason, this is the place to do it.
The setting can also be put on through the registry. You can find it under the following key:
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HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Features |
TamperProtection here is a DWORD value. Set it to “0” to disable it or to “1” to have it enabled.
It is highly recommended that every PC running the Windows 10 May 2019 Update has this feature enabled except a business that manages a lot of PCs with the use of enterprise software tools.
