Computer Repair Sacramento – Knowledge Base: How to Disable DEP in Windows 7 & Disable DEP in Windows 2008 r2.

Disable DEP Windows 7 & Windows 2008 r2 – Background:

CAUTION: Data Execution Protection or DEP is an important Windows security feature. You should not turn off DEP unless there is no alternative.
Data Execution Prevention is intended to prevent malicious code from executing and works by detecting code that appears to be running incorrectly.

On a recent service call, the issue was that Internet Explorer keeps shutting down and there was an Internet Explorer DEP Error. DEP appeared to be at fault. The user wanted to know how to disable the error.

In reality, the computer had a trojan horse virus. Each time Internet Explorer was launched, the malicious code would execute and DEP would successfully catch the code. While it was annoying for the user, DEP was both protecting the computer and keeping their data safe because this particular trojan horse reportedly has the ability to steal online banking usernames, passwords, and other information. DEP was doing it’s job and doing it very well. If DEP had been disabled, it could have been very bad. Once virus removal was completed, Internet Explorer worked just fine with DEP enabled.

At times, however, DEP may flag and shut down legitimate programs. If a program is not running correctly, disabling DEP can be used for troubleshooting purposes. Here’s how:

Selectively Disable DEP Windows 7 & Disable DEP Windows 2008 r2

If you must turn off DEP, the method which is more safe is to selectively turn off DEP for specific programs or processes:

• Click Start Button
• Click Control Panel
• Click System and Maintenance
• Click System
• Click Advanced System Settings
• Under the Performance tab, click Settings
• Click the Data Execution Prevention tab
• Click Turn on DEP for all programs and services except those I select.
• Add exclusions to the list.
• Reboot your computer.

Globally Disable DEP Windows 7 & Disable DEP Windows 2008 r2

The following works to disable DEP in Vista, disable DEP in Windows 7, and disable DEP in Windows 2008 r2. To turn off DEP globally altogether for all programs and processes:

Disable DEP: First Open Command Prompt

Open an elevated command prompt:

• Click Start Button
• Click All Programs
• Click Accessories
• Right click Command Prompt
• Click Run as Administrator
• If the User Account Control prompt appears, click Yes

An elevated Command Prompt Window will open with administrator privileges:

Disable DEP:

To disable DEP, type the following into the command prompt window and press enter:

• bcdedit.exe /set {current} nx AlwaysOff

Once the command is complete, the command prompt should show the result: The operation completed successfully:

Now, DEP is disabled

Enable DEP:

To Enable DEP, type the following into the command prompt window and press enter:

• bcdedit.exe /set {current} nx AlwaysOn

Once the command is complete, the command prompt should show the result: The operation completed successfully.

Need assistance beyond learning how to disable DEP in Windows 7 & Disable DEP in Windows 2008 r2? For help with DEP or other software issues, contact Jonathan – Computer Repair Sacramento today!

Source: Here is the MSDN Library link.