Looking for an Antivirus for Windows 11 that doesn't use any system resources

CascadeHush on 11/10/2023 - 13:39
Last edited 11/10/2023 - 14:17

Under windows 10 it was possible, though difficult, to disable defender, though windows will continue to nag you once a day that it's turned off.

Under windows 11 it does not seem to be possible (correct me if I'm wrong). Even though I've followed steps to turn it off and the UI says it's off, it's still running away in task manager using about 6% of my CPU on a low spec laptop that does not have those cycles to spare.

So since it seems Microsoft have finally put their foot down and made this thing mandatory, I'm thinking maybe there is an antivirus out there that I can install and turn off - i.e. an antivirus that will disable defender but which itself can be set so it isn't actually doing anything.

I don't need antivirus, I haven't had malware or viruses on my main PC for years and it's been years since I ran an AV (I have on the odd occasion run a scan and never found anything. I immediately uninstall any software used for this.)

This laptop has a fixed set of software installed and does almost no web browsing. I don't need antivirus but I need all the performance I can get.

Alternate solutions/suggestions appreciated as well, but I've tried all the steps I can try to turn defender off and it's still running.

Edit: Okay, I realize I said alternate solutions but I did not mean getting a new laptop or installing a different operating system. I mean alternate solutions to the core problem of Microsoft forcing an antivirus I don't need that only causes problems, not solves them.

Computing

Comments

  • djsweet on 11/10/2023 - 13:52

    Just coz you haven't found it doesn't mean its not there. Just sayin

  • [Deactivated] on 11/10/2023 - 13:54
    +1

    If performance is the main criteria then maybe get a more powerful laptop?

    Or alternatively, stay with (downgrade) Windows 10 if you were happy with the performance there.

    • CascadeHush on 11/10/2023 - 14:11

      It's a windows 11 laptop. Performance was fine until the last windows update which seems to have perma-enabled defender. Previous methods for turning it off seem to be no longer work.

  • FoxJump on 11/10/2023 - 13:57
    -1

    Sounds like your computer was not eligible for a win11 upgrade and yet you persisted with it.

    Downgrade to win10

  • scrimshaw on 11/10/2023 - 13:59
    +3

    For computers with weak specifications, you could try installing Atlas OS, which is a very stripped down and de-bloated version of Windows that has many features removed.

    https://atlasos.net/

    Removed Features

    Please do keep in mind that Atlas is made for gaming, so many features and services that are not needed for most gamers have been taken away. When services or features are taken away, they can cause problems with the apps you use or even with hardware.

    Atlas gets rid of the following services and features:

    Some APPX and UWP applications
    Logging of Network Configuration
    Malicious Removal Tool
    Microsoft Edge and WebView
    Restore Points and System Reset
    Telemetry
    Tools for virus and malware protection (such as SecHealth, HealthCheck, MsMpEng and SmartScreen)
    Windows Defender
    Windows Error Reporting
    Windows Updates

    Also if your computer is so old that it's creaking under the strain of Windows Defender… it might be time to upgrade? 4-Core processor laptop starts at $300-ish.., Beelink Alder Lake-N100 with 16GB RAM is $265 from Amazon, Beelink MINI-S12 with Alder Lake N95 goes for $209.30

    Malware and viruses do not make their presence known. Back in the early days when viruses were passed around on Floppy disks they really advertised their presence, but malware today is completely stealth and will run in the background while disguised as a core system application. You will not know it's there.

  • DiscountForThee on 11/10/2023 - 14:06
    +2

    doesn't use any system resources

    If your AV is literally not using any resources, then there isn't anything that it is doing

    • CascadeHush on 11/10/2023 - 14:20

      Exactly. I want an AV that doesn't do anything except tell Microsoft to go away. I know it's a stretch. Microsoft says I have to have one, I don't need one. So something that can convince microsoft to leave me alone is all I need,

      • USER DC on 11/10/2023 - 14:27

        You heard of Atlas OS ?? NT Lite ??

        What you are looking for is not an ANTI VIRUS, rather a VIRUS/MALWARE probably. Atlas OS/NT Lite is probably your best option rather than looking for an active virus/malware like bonzibuddy

      • AndyC1 on 12/10/2023 - 19:43
        +1

        subject has "Looking for an Antivirus" while the description is about?

        I don't need antivirus,…..etc etc

  • Malik Nasser on 11/10/2023 - 17:56
    +1

    Have you tried this:
    Don't Like Windows Defender? Remove It:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ietZH0zdtDY

    I haven't tried it myself, but worth a look into if that's your thing.

  • AndyC1 on 11/10/2023 - 19:24

    Love the subject heading does not match OP's descritpion.

    • CascadeHush on 12/10/2023 - 10:06

      In what way? I'd welcome the chance to improve my communication skills.

      • ihfree on 12/10/2023 - 11:13

        You seem to want to remove or disable Windows Defender rather than a zero-resource anti-virus. As a suggestion:

        How do I remove or disable Windows Defender?

  • Sinnerator on 12/10/2023 - 08:58

    Research how to write a script that disables windef every x seconds (unsure if this is possible).

    Years ago I wrote a script I manually ran on power up, to disable the win-nagging to go from win8 to win10. This was when win10 was new and still buggy, I wanted to wait a year until it became better.

    I am not a programmer.

    • CascadeHush on 12/10/2023 - 10:07

      Interesting idea. I wonder if that would use more resources than just letting it run. Windows Defender is pretty dogged. The process can't be terminated in task manager.

  • rygle on 21/10/2023 - 12:53

    There are two apps that I use that don't use resources. They are not antivirus apps but will prevent a bunch of bad sites from being accessible.

    Spyware Blaster - this has a free level that will simply add thousands of sites to block to your hosts file. I think they call it immunise. It also mods a few browser specific settings. If you don't pay for the auto update feature it does absolutely nothing in the background and you can just run it manually every few months and click update then re-immunise.

    Spybot Search and Destroy - this does similar to Spyware Blaster but blocks different stuff in terms of immunizing and does manual scans. It can be set to do automatic scans and you have to be careful to do an advanced install that doesn't set this up.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join