Is turning off Windows Security a bad idea? A PC expert's practical rule of thumb

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ZDNET's key takeaways

• There are times when you may want to turn off Windows Security.
• I'll show you how to (temporarily or permanently) disable it on Windows 11 Home and Pro.
• I also recommend creating a restore point, and will walk you through it. 

Windows Security is a highly capable system guardian. In my "Best Antivirus for Windows 11" guide, I made the case that it isn't just a basic antivirus designed to be a stopgap; it's a full-blown first-party security suite that monitors downloads, blocks incoming threats, and instantly quarantines malware if it manages to bypass all defenses. 

As a Windows user, all you really need to be protected against online threats is the app, an ad blocker, and a secure browser like Brave.

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