How to Undo and Stop Windows Defender Deleting Files - 7 Ways

avatar
Connie Wisley
April 24, 2024 Preview 24 Preview 0
share it facebook share it Twitter
I downloaded Doom Eternal from Steam U - locked yesterday and today when I was unzipping from RAR, my Windows Defender may have deleted the EMP.dll file even though it’s not on quarantine. I've tried turning it off so that I could use an emp.dll got from internet. However it deletes the file almost instantly! How could I fix this? --- Post on Reddit

Are you experiencing a similar trouble? You may ask: Does Windows Defender automatically delete files? Obviously YES.

When Windows Defender (also known as Windows Defender Antivirus) works to scan your hard disk, it might consider some safe files to be threats and remove them by mistake. Wondering how to stop Windows Defender from deleting files in Windows 11/10? And how to undo Windows Defender deleting files? Right answers here.

 

wd delete files

How to recover files deleted by Windows Defender?

In case that your useful files have been already deleted by Windows Defender, as the first aid, it’s an emergency to undo the Windows Defender deleting files and recover deleted items back to your PC. To achieve this, we have 2 options for your reference.

1# Recommended: Cisdem Data Recovery

Being a standard data retrieval tool trusted by over 2 million users, Cisdem Data Recovery dedicates to offer easy and reliable solutions to recover files lost due to accidental deletion, formatting, partition loss, corrupted drive, system crash, virus infection, Windows update or downgrade, factory reset without backup or other unexpected reasons. 

With remarkably high recovery rate (99.7%), quick scan speed, advanced computer algorithm, and simple-to-use UI, Cisdem can efficiently restore your files getting deleted automatically by Windows Defender, such as downloaded archives, documents, photos, videos, audios, and more than 1000 file types.

Why choose Cisdem Data Recovery?

  • Recover data from internal and external storage devices, both performing well
  • Repair damaged images, videos and documents
  • Restore files from specified folders: Recycle Bin, Desktop...
  • Quick scan and deep scan applied to find most files
  • Locate wanted files fast by filters: file type, file name, file size, keyword, etc.
  • Preview files before recovering
  • Support NAS recovery
  • Retrieve data from a crashed PC
  • Export or import scan results to avoid repeated scanning

Steps to recover files deleted by Windows Defender:

  1. Download, install and run Cisdem Data Recovery on your PC.
    Free Download Windows 11/10/8/7
  2. Navigate to PC Recovery, select the location where your deleted files were stored, and click Scan to start.recover files deleted by wd with cisdem 01
  3. During or after scanning, specify the types of your deleted files and locate them. You can use file filters or search bar to find the desired items effortlessly. Also double click on them to have a preview.recover files deleted by wd with cisdem 02
  4. Select the files you need to restore, and click Recover to revert them back onto PC.recover files deleted by wd with cisdem 03

 

2# Alternative: Restore with Protection History

In addition to deleting files directly, Windows Defender also blocks files in a certain area, where the files will stay temporarily and will be erased automatically later. So here comes to another method to restore files quarantined by Windows Defender on Windows 11 or 10. 

  1. Press Win+I to launch Settings.
  2. Go to Update & Security.restore with protection history 01
  3. Click Windows Security > Virus & threat protection.restore with protection history 02
  4. Under Current threats section, select Protection history.restore with protection history 03
  5. From All recent items tab, change Filters to Quarantined Items.restore with protection history 04
  6. Check if the deleted files you want are present. If yes, click Actions > Restore.restore with protection history 05

 

How to stop Windows Defender from deleting files?

Windows Defender keeps deleting files that you still need? Sounds quite annoying. To prevent this issue in the future, see below for 5 potential methods.

Method 1: Exclude files from Windows Defender

When you’re sure that some files, folders or progresses are safe with no harm to your computer, but Windows Defender still treats these files as malicious items and auto removes them, this solution is for you. All you should do is exclude your files from Windows Defender Antivirus scans.

How to stop Windows Defender deleting files by adding exclusions?

  1. Head to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security.
  2. Click Virus & threat protection > Manage settings.exclude files 01
  3. Under Exclusions, choose “Add or remove exclusions”.exclude files 02
  4. Add an exclusion as per your case.exclude files 03
  5. For example, if you need to stop Windows Defender from deleting .exe files, select File type, enter “exe” in the box, and click Add button.exclude files 04

 

Method 2: Turn off Automatic Remediation

Files getting deleted automatically from Windows 11/10 could be also caused by Automatic Remediation feature. To prevent Windows Defender deleting files, it’s proven to be helpful if we try to turn off Automatic Remediation through running a REG command.

How to stop Windows Defender from deleting files in CMD?

  1. Run Command Prompt as administrator.turn off auto remediation 01
  2. Copy and paste this command:
    REG ADD “HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender” /v DisableRoutinelyTakingAction /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f.
  3. turn off auto remediation 02
  4. Press Enter to execute this command.

 

Method 3: Disable Windows Defender

If the above methods fail to stop Windows Defender from quarantining files, your final attempt would be disabling Windows Defender. We’re going to explore 3 ways to complete this process. 

The first one will turn off Windows Defender just temporarily, and you’re allowed to enable it again at anytime. Bear in mind that when you restart your computer, WD will be turned on automatically.

While the latter 2 ways will disable Windows Defender in a permanent manner, so the security of your Windows 11/10 PC will be at risk of malware attacks. In that case you’d better install a third-party anti-virus program in place of Microsoft Windows Defender aforehand.

1# via Settings

  1. Search and open Windows Security.disable wd via settings 01
  2. Continue to tap on Virus & threat protection > Manage settings.disable wd via settings 02
  3. Toggle off the option for Real-time protection.disable wd via settings 03
  4. Go to Firewall & network protection > Private network.disable wd via settings 04
  5. Turn off Microsoft Defender Firewall.disable wd via settings 05
  6. Exit Windows Settings to finish.

 

2# in Registry Editor

  1. Input “regedit” to open Registry Editor.disable wd in registry editor 01
  2. Locate Microsoft Defenders location by expanding HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SOFTWARE > Policies > Microsoft > Windows Defender.
  3. Right-click on Windows Defender folder > select New and then DWORD (32-bit) Value.disable wd in registry editor 02
  4. A new file will show up on the right side. Name it as “DisableAntiSpyware” and hit Enter.disable wd in registry editor 03
  5. Double click on this new file > enter the value data as 1 > click OK to save.disable wd in registry editor 04
  6. Reboot your PC to stop Windows Defender deleting files.

 

3# through Local Group Policy Editor

  1. Press Win+R to initiate Run box.
  2. Type gpedit.msc > click OK to open Local Group Policy Editor.disable wd in local policy 01
  3. Expand Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Defender Antivirus.
  4. From the right side, locate and double click on “Turn off Microsoft Defender Antivirus”.disable wd in local policy 02
  5. On the pop-up windows, highlight Enable option > click Apply and OK.disable wd in local policy 03
  6. Restart your system to disable Windows Defender and stop files from being auto deleted.

 

Stop Windows Defender deleting files & restore deleted files

Microsoft Windows Defender is a free and popular anti-virus tool utilized to keep Windows PC away from possible threat and malicious damage. But every coin has its two sides. It would be a troublesome business if Windows Defender gets into errors and removes needed files automatically. We believe that one of the methods from above should have taught you how to stop Windows Defender from deleting files successfully. To rescue those files deleted by WD, Cisdem Data Recovery must be a worthwhile option.

avatar
Connie Wisley
share it facebook share it Twitter

Connie has been writing for Mac productivity and utility apps since 2009. Each review and solution is based on her practical tests, she is aways energetic and trustworthy in this field.

share it facebook share it Twitter
Comments (0) Leave a Reply

Name *

Comment *

Hot Articles

How to Recover Corrupted, Unsaved or Deleted AutoCAD DWG File 2024? Is it Possible to Recover Data from Dead Hard Drive? How? (2024 Free) How to Unformat SD Card on Computer and Phone
Home > How to Undo and Stop Windows Defender Deleting Files - 7 Ways