Windows Defender is not a very good AV, and can interfere with many games.
The way you can check if it's the culprit is pretty easy. Click Start, right click Computer, click Manage. On the page that opens, click Services and Application, then double click Services on the final page.
Scroll down on that page to Windows Defender, right click on it, then click Properties. Under Startup type, select Disabled.
Reboot, then play the game.
On a side note, I've also had some games, including some racing games that have me moving my fingers a lot, minimize just from accidentally tapping the L Windows key. I disabled mine just by measuring the depression depth of the key, popping off the key cap, then cutting a piece of 3/8" ID vinyl tubing to the length of the depression, and slitting it lengthwise and wrapping it around the key post. Then popped the key cap back on. Now it doesn't even depress, and I still can use the R Windows key.
BTW, I highly recommend Avast! as an AV, and their free version is plenty adequate, and has more features than Windows Defender. It also blocks viruses BEFORE they can DL.