BleepingComputer.com: windows defender dialog bugging me!!!

I know that if you have antivirus installed that Windows Defender should be disabled to keep from interfering, but i don't think it's taking the hint. Lately, every time i logon to my computer, i get this popup:



I don't know why, but something keeps trying to open windows Defender. There are no entries in the Startup folder of my Start Menu, and a search of the registry only brings up one result, a CLASS ID, followed by Shell/Open/ and then the MSASCui.exe program. But i didn't delete it cause god only knows what will happen. The only things i've done are some slight customizations (i.e. changing the Start Orb). Is there any reason for this to happen?

Windows Defender is anti spyware, not anti virus. You don't need to disable it. You should reactivate it.

Ok. What if the Anti-virus suite includes anti-spyware?

Windows Defender should still not cause any conflicts.

However if you still wish to disable the only way I have found\read is to shut it off at the service level.

Windows Defender (msascui.exe) is listed in System Information with a -hide flag so it does not appear in msconfig which would allow disabling it from startup. However, some free third-party Startup Managers may show the entry so that you can disable it from there:

• Starter by CodeStuff
  
• Autoruns
  
• System Explorer
  
• AnVir TaskManager Free (32-bit, 64-bit)
  
• WinPatrol (32-bit, 64-bit)

If not, then manaully Disable the Service for Defender:

• Click on Start > Control Panel > System and Maintenance > Administrative Tools and double-click on the Services option.
  
• When prompted by User Access Control, click the Continue button. If you are not prompted, you have either disabled UAC or are logged in with an account that does not have the ability to run with administrative privileges.
  
• In the Services applet, scroll down the list and find the Defender Service.
  
• When a service is running, it will be listed as Started in the status column. If the Status column next to a service is blank, that means the service is not running.
  
• Double-click on it to open the Properties page.
  
• In the Properties Window > General Tab that opens, click the "Stop" button.
  
• From the drop-down menu next to "Startup Type", click on "Disable".
  
• Click "Apply", then "OK" and close any open windows.

CAUTION: The next step involves making changes in the Windows registry. Always Create a New Restore Point and back up your registry before making any changes[/i]. Vista/Windows 7 users can refer to these instructions. If you're not familiar with working in the registry, then you should NOT attempt to make any changes on your own. Improper changes to the registry could adversely affect your computer and render it inoperable. ERUNT is an excellent free tool that allows you to to take a snapshot (backup) of your registry before making changes and restore it when needed.

Press the WINKEY + R keys on your keyboard or click > Run..., and in the Open dialog box, type: regedit

• Click OK or press Enter.
  
• Navigate to this Key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
  
• In the right pane, delete Value "Windows Defender"
  
• Then navigate to this Key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
  
• And if present in the right pane, delete Value "Windows Defender"

Instructions with screenshots for using Registry Editor

THANK YOU! Finally! No more annoying Windows Defender.

You're welcome.