Bitdefender is a great software providing the users with a plethora of benefits along with anti-virus protection. But at times, it can be a little bit too good at its job and end up preventing you from installing even legitimate software. At other times, your anti-virus can even interfere with crucial processes on your system, such as while updating Windows.

Though turning off the antivirus is not always recommended, you might need to disable it temporarily or even turn it off for a brief moment to install a program or configure settings on your computer. Fortunately disabling it or turning it off is a piece of cake and you can quickly do it in a few clicks. Moreover, there are multiple ways you can access Bitdefender on Windows.

First, go to the bottom-right corner of the screen and click on the chevron (upward arrow) to access tray icons. Then, right-click on the ‘Bitdefender’ icon. Next, click on the ‘Show’ option to proceed.

Alternatively, you can also search for it from the Start Menu and click on the ‘Bitdefender’ tile to open it.

After that, click on the ‘Protection’ tab from the left sidebar to proceed. Then, click on the ‘Open’ button on the ‘Antivirus’ tile.

Next, click on the ‘Advanced’ tab and click on the toggle switch following the ‘Bitdefender Shield’ to turn it off.

A User Account Control screen will appear on your screen. Enter admin credentials if you are not logged in with one. Otherwise, click on the ‘Yes’ button to proceed.

Then, select the duration for which you wish to disable the antivirus to disable it temporarily. Click on the ‘OK’ button to confirm.

To permanently turn off Bitdefender on your device, select the ‘Permanently’ option from the dropdown list and click on the ‘OK’ button to confirm.

Now, on the ‘Protection’ screen, click the ‘Open’ button on the ‘Advanced Threat Defense’ tile to continue.

Afterward, head to the ‘Settings’ tab and click on the toggle switch following the ‘Advanced Thread Defense’ option to turn it off. Then, head back to the ‘Protection’ screen.

Next, click on each toggle for ‘Vulnerability’, ‘Ransomware Remediation’, ‘Firewall’, and ‘Antispam’ to turn them off.

That’s about it. You have successfully turned off Bitdefender on your computer.

Bitdefender will automatically start itself once the duration set by you has elapsed. However, you will still need to turn on ‘Advanced Threat Defense’, ‘Firewall’, ‘Vulnerability’, ‘Ransomware Remediation’, and ‘Antispam’ tools manually. But if you chose to turn it off permanently, you’ll need to navigate to the Protection screen and enable it again.