How to Activate Tamper Protection in Windows 11

Windows Security is a robust tool designed to safeguard your computer from various threats such as viruses, malware, and potentially unwanted programs (PUPs). It also includes features to protect against ransomware. While Windows Security provides excellent protection, some malware is designed to disable it to avoid detection. To counter this, Microsoft introduced a feature called Tamper Protection.

What is Tamper Protection?

Tamper Protection is a security feature within Windows Security that prevents unauthorized changes to Microsoft Defender settings. Specifically, it stops malicious apps from disabling key protection measures such as real-time protection and cloud-delivered security.

In the latest Windows 11 builds, Tamper Protection may be enabled by default. However, if it’s turned off, you’ll see a yellow warning under the Virus & Threat Protection section in Windows Security. If your PC has been infected recently, a malicious program could have disabled the feature. Additionally, Tamper Protection is turned off when using third-party security software.

Should You Enable or Disable Tamper Protection?

It’s highly recommended to keep Tamper Protection enabled. This feature blocks malicious apps from turning off your security settings. In the latest versions of Windows 11, it’s already enabled by default, but if you notice it’s turned off, you should run a full virus scan and manually turn it on.

If you use third-party security software such as Malwarebytes or Norton, you might choose to disable Tamper Protection, but it’s generally not advisable to do so, especially if you frequently download files from the internet. Keeping this feature on adds an extra layer of defense against malicious threats.

How to Activate Tamper Protection in Windows 11

Enabling Tamper Protection is simple, and every Windows 10/11 user should activate it. Follow these steps:

1. Click on the Windows 11 search bar and type Windows Security.
2. In Windows Security, click on Virus & Threat Protection.
3. Scroll down and click on Manage Settings under Virus & Threat Protection settings.
4. On the next page, locate the Tamper Protection option and toggle it On.

What to Do If Tamper Protection Won’t Turn On

If you’re unable to turn on Tamper Protection, it could be due to corrupted system files. Here are two ways to fix the issue:

1. Fix Corrupted System Files

Corrupted system files can prevent Tamper Protection from being activated. Here’s how to fix them:

1. Type CMD in the Windows 11 search bar, right-click Command Prompt, and select Run as administrator.
2. In the Command Prompt, enter the following commands one by one:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

3. Once these commands have been executed, run:

sfc /scannow

4. After the scan completes, restart your computer.

2. Reset the Windows Security App

If the issue persists, resetting the Windows Security app may resolve it. Follow these steps:

1. Open the Settings app in Windows 11.
2. Navigate to Apps on the left panel.
3. Click on Installed Apps on the right side.
4. Locate Windows Security, click the three dots next to it, and select Advanced Options.
5. On the next screen, click Reset.

Once the reset is complete, restart your Windows 11 PC, and you should be able to turn on Tamper Protection.

By enabling Tamper Protection, you add an essential layer of defense against malicious software that tries to tamper with your security settings. Learn More