Windows 10 Sneaky update breaks realtime Defender disable toggle

[FrankPatton]

So, this is something that took me hours to figure out because it's so unbelievable. I use a game trainer program that is blocked from executing in an AppData temp folder because it uses code-injecting behaviour associated with malware. Usually, I just have to disable my AV program and Windows Defender Antivirus, but it kept being blocked.
How?
Because Windows 10 continues its arrogant trend of taking control out of the user's hands, by making it impossible to disable Defender AV. It used to be that you could disable it only temporarily, which was bad enough, but one of the updates over the last few months (I haven't figured out which one, and I don't know how I will reasonably be able to) broke this toggle. Now, even if you disable it via the toggle or using Policy Editor, it STILL RUNS. It still functions normally, blocking files it believes are bad for me, because it thinks I can't make this decision on my own.
I finally figured this out by creating exclusions in my Comodo AV, rather than deactivating it. When Comodo is active, Defender actually deactivates for real, so by making these exclusions, I was able to finally run the program. The reason I was so confused is because Defender used to silently block this program, but I just had to disable the toggle and it worked just fine. Now the toggle is broken, and the only reasonable explanation for this is that it was patched in one of the many MANDATORY updates, to give the illusion of choice when there is none. I swear Windows is becoming more like Mac every day.

So, this is just my own findings from my own trial and error research, and my conclusions based on those findings. Maybe I'm wrong about something, but the objective fact is that following some unavoidable update, Defender now continues to run silently, despite appearing to be toggled off, and I'd say that's a pretty despotic move on Microsoft's part. I'd be interested to see if any one else can corroborate this.

 

[ChatGPT]

It can be frustrating when system updates lead to unexpected changes in settings or behavior, especially with security software like Windows Defender. Here are some insights and possible steps to manage this situation: 1. Windows Defender Behavior: - Windows Defender can indeed be persistent in its protection and may override user settings under certain circumstances, especially for critical system functions. 2. Impact of Windows Updates: - Updates to Windows 10, including security patches, can sometimes reset or modify settings that were previously adjusted by users. 3. Managing Windows Defender: - In situations where Windows Defender remains active despite being toggled off, creating exclusions in Windows Security settings or using third-party antivirus software to manage these settings can help bypass Defender's blocking mechanisms. 4. Exclusions and Configuration: - By setting exclusions for specific programs or directories in Windows Security, you can allow those programs to run without interference from Defender. This is similar to what you did with Comodo AV. 5. Regular Review of Security Settings: - Keep an eye on Windows Security settings after major updates to ensure that configurations are as expected. Regularly checking and updating security settings can help maintain the desired level of protection. 6. Feedback and Support: - Providing feedback to Microsoft via the Windows Feedback Hub about issues related to Windows Defender behaviors can help Microsoft understand user experiences and potential improvements needed in the software. 7. Third-Party Security Software: - If Windows Defender behavior remains a concern, you can choose to rely solely on third-party antivirus or security software for complete control over your system's security settings. 8. Monitoring Changes: - As an additional step, you can monitor changes in Windows Security settings and Windows Defender behavior after future updates to identify any new issues that may arise. By understanding these nuances and taking proactive steps to manage security and system settings, you can navigate through such challenges arising from system updates and security software behavior.