diff --git a/.github/workflows/breakage-against-windows-ponyc-latest.yml b/.github/workflows/breakage-against-windows-ponyc-latest.yml
index 21b8f48..c761c70 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/breakage-against-windows-ponyc-latest.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/breakage-against-windows-ponyc-latest.yml
@@ -12,8 +12,6 @@ jobs:
     name: Verify main against the latest ponyc on Windows
     runs-on: windows-2025-vs2026
     steps:
-      - name: Disable Windows Defender
-        run: Set-MpPreference -DisableRealtimeMonitoring $true
       - uses: actions/checkout@v6.0.2
       - name: Test with most recent ponyc nightly
         run: |
diff --git a/.github/workflows/pr.yml b/.github/workflows/pr.yml
index b929ae1..43a86ed 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/pr.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/pr.yml
@@ -31,8 +31,6 @@ jobs:
     name: Test against recent ponyc release on Windows
     runs-on: windows-2025-vs2026
     steps:
-      - name: Disable Windows Defender
-        run: Set-MpPreference -DisableRealtimeMonitoring $true
       - uses: actions/checkout@v6.0.2
       - name: Test with most recent ponyc release
         run: |