> 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/cortex-xdr/insights-and-tips-cortex-xdr/endpoint-and-cortex-xdr-agent-management/cortex-xdr-agent-temporarily-disable-protection.md).

# Cortex XDR agent temporarily disable protection

Temporarily disable Cortex XDR agent protections in Cortex XDR for troubleshooting, using exceptions, policy changes, or Cytool.

Sometimes you need to bypass protection temporarily, for example to troubleshoot an application conflict. Cortex XDR gives you several options, from narrow to broad. Prefer the narrowest option that solves the problem.

| Option                                | Scope                                                                                                 | Where                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |
| ------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| Disable Injection and Prevention rule | A specific process, for up to 48 hours                                                                | [Add a disable injection and prevention rule](https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex-xdr-5.x/protect-your-endpoints/install-and-manage-endpoints/set-up-endpoint-protection/set-up-endpoint-profiles-and-exception-rules/set-up-exception-profiles-and-rules/add-a-disable-injection-and-prevention-rule) |
| Disable Prevention rule               | Selected modules for matching files or processes. Issues can still be generated.                      | [Add a disable prevention rule for endpoints](https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex-xdr-5.x/protect-your-endpoints/install-and-manage-endpoints/set-up-endpoint-protection/set-up-endpoint-profiles-and-exception-rules/set-up-exception-profiles-and-rules/add-a-disable-prevention-rule-for-endpoints) |
| Change the security profile           | Set modules to **Report** or **Disabled** for a group of endpoints through policy                     | Endpoint policy management                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
| Local administration on the endpoint  | Use the Cortex XDR agent CLI (Cytool) on the endpoint to stop protection or change runtime components | Requires the uninstall password                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |

### Tamper protection

Local changes to the Cortex XDR agent, including uninstalling it, stopping it, or using protected Cytool commands, require the **uninstall password**. Set a strong global password in [global agent settings](https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex-xdr-5.x/protect-your-endpoints/install-and-manage-endpoints/set-up-endpoint-protection/configure-global-agent-settings), and override it per Agent Settings profile if needed. Change the default password during onboarding.

{% hint style="warning" %}
Re-enable protection as soon as troubleshooting is complete. Policy and exception changes made in the console are recorded in the management audit log.
{% endhint %}

For local commands on each platform, see the Cytool reference in the [Cortex XDR agent documentation](https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex-xdr-agent-docs/readme).


---

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