How do I temporarily disable Bitdefender in Windows?

This guide will show you how to temporarily disable all modules in Bitdefender (Total Security, Internet Security, Antivirus Plus) for troubleshooting purposes. Remember to re-enable the modules afterward.

Note: If your Bitdefender product doesn’t include certain features, only disable the ones available.

 

Video Tutorial

Watch our short video tutorial on disabling Bitdefender features, or follow the step-by-step instructions below.

 

Step 1: Disable Protection Features

How to disable all modules in Bitdefender - Protection features

  1. Antivirus:
    • Go to Protection on the left side of the interface.
    • In the Antivirus panel, click Open.
    • In the Advanced tab, turn off Bitdefender Shield.
    • Choose to disable it Permanently or Until system restart and press OK.
    • Go to the Settings tab and turn off the following:
      • Scan CD & DVD
      • Scan flash drives
      • Scan mapped network drives
  2. Firewall:
    • Return to Protection and turn off the Firewall.
  3. Antispam:
    • Turn off Antispam.
  4. Ransomware Remediation:
    • Turn off Ransomware Remediation.
  5. Vulnerability:
    • Turn off Vulnerability.
  6. Advanced Threat Defense:
    • In the Advanced Threat Defense panel, click Open.
    • In the Settings tab, turn off Advanced Threat Defense.
  7. Online Threat Prevention:
    • Go to Settings in the Online Threat Prevention panel.
    • Turn off the following:
      • Web Protection
      • Search Advisor
      • Encrypted web scan
      • Fraud protection
      • Phishing protection
      • Network Protection
      • Email Protection (select Don’t scan emails)
  8. Cryptomining Protection:
    • Turn off Cryptomining Protection.

 

Step 2: Disable Privacy Features

Disable Bitdefender privacy features

  1. Safepay:
    • Go to Privacy on the left-hand side of the interface.
    • In the Safepay panel, click Settings.
    • Turn off the following:
      • Safepay notifications
      • Automatically open Bitdefender Safepay
      • Use VPN with Safepay
  2. Anti-Tracker:
    • Turn off Anti-Tracker.
  3. VPN:
    • Go to the VPN panel, click Open VPN, and disconnect if it’s connected.
  4. Video & Audio Protection:
    • In the Video & Audio Protection panel, click Settings.
    • Turn off the following:
      • Webcam Protection
      • Microphone monitor
  5. Parental Control:
    • In the Parental Control panel, click Configure.
    • In Bitdefender Central (opens in your web browser), sign in.
    • Click VIEW on the child profile associated with your PC.
    • If your PC is listed, click ⋮ next to Monitored by Parental Control and select Unassign.

 

Step 3: Disable Utilities

  1. Profiles:
    • Go to Utilities on the left-hand side of the interface.
    • In the Profiles panel, click Settings.
    • Turn off Activate profiles automatically.

How to disable all modules in Bitdefender - Utilities

You’ve now disabled all Bitdefender features. Re-enable modules one at a time to find out which one may be the culprit.