> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/analytics-alerts/alerts-by-name/disable-microsoft-defender-antivirus-via-registry.md).

# Disable Microsoft Defender Antivirus via registry

### Synopsis

| Field                | Value                                                |
| -------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------- |
| Activation Period    | 14 Days                                              |
| Training Period      | 30 Days                                              |
| Test Period          | N/A (single event)                                   |
| Deduplication Period | 1 Day                                                |
| Required Data        | XDR Agent with eXtended Threat Hunting (XTH)         |
| ATT\&CK Tactic       | Defense Evasion (TA0005)                             |
| ATT\&CK Technique    | Impair Defenses: Disable or Modify Tools (T1562.001) |
| Severity             | Low                                                  |

### Description

Disable Microsoft Defender Antivirus via registry.

### Attacker's Goals

* Adversary may attempt to disable defender antivirus to execute malicious tools and move through the network without triggering alarms.

### Investigative actions

* Investigate the process that set or create the registry key.


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/analytics-alerts/alerts-by-name/disable-microsoft-defender-antivirus-via-registry.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.