The user interface gui is installed by default on some skus but is not required because you can use powershell or other methods to manage microsoft defender antivirus.
Windows server 2016 disable antivirus.
Whether you have security software or antivirus running you still need a strong yet suitable business or enterprise antivirus for windows server.
On the details pane of windows defender antivirus node locate and double click turn off windows defender antivirus policy.
In server 2016 if you want to use another another antivirus program to protect your server the windows defender will not disable itself as it happens in window 10 in order to maximize the protection in server 2016.
The next step is where you disable windows defender in server 2016.
By default microsoft defender antivirus is installed and functional on windows server 2016 and windows server 2019.
Enable the user interface on windows server 2016 or 2019.
This was a design choice by microsoft to maximize protection in server 2016.
Due to changes from microsoft in the server 2016 architecture windows defender antivirus will not disable itself when other antivirus products are detected.
Microsoft has also removed api s for other antivirus software to cleanly stop and disable windows defender av.
When remove features page opens.
In windows 10 windows defender has an api that allows other antivirus programs to disable it to prevent issues.