Is Windows Defender Good Enough in 2024? Full Guide (2024)

Windows Defender is the default security tool on every Windows PC. But how does it compare to the premium antiviruses offered by third parties? I’ll be taking a look at the costs and benefits of using Windows Defender over a paid antivirus.

For some people, Windows Defender is indeed good enough. It’s simple to use and blocks the vast majority of malware. As many techies will tell you, Windows Defender keeps millions of PCs the world over safe.

But Windows Defender is miserably lacking in extra features, including a few that are essential when it comes to enhancing privacy, like a VPN and effective web protections. This stands in stark contrast to paid options like Norton or Bitdefender, which provide heaps of extras.

In short, Windows Defender might well be good enough, but it certainly isn’t the best, especially compared to brands like Norton that offer more effective malware scanners, more intuitive Windows apps, and more advanced cybersecurity protections.

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Note: Windows Defender was rebranded as Windows Security years ago. In this article, I’ll follow common practice and keep calling it Windows Defender. Some of the paid plans, meanwhile, are now branded as Microsoft Defender.

So, Is Windows Defender Antivirus Good Enough?

There are many reasons to like Windows Defender — especially as Microsoft has worked really hard to improve it over the last few years. It now offers:

• Real-time threat detection.
• Firewall & network protection.
• SmartScreen (web protection).
• System performance reports.
• Hardware security.
• Parental controls.
• Ransomware protection.

Microsoft Defender is pretty good at detecting malware files, blocking exploits and network-based attacks, and flagging phishing sites. It even includes simple PC performance and health reports as well as parental controls with content filtering, usage limitations, and location tracking. Because Windows Defender now includes all of these useful features, users are wondering whether they can rely on Defender alone to protect their computers or need to use a third-party antivirus.

I ran Defender through rigorous tests (the same I use for all third-party antivirus products) to see if it’s good enough to keep you protected. I downloaded around 1,000 malware files — including viruses, trojans, ransomware, adware, cryptojackers, keyloggers, and rootkits — in order to test the disk scanning and real-time protection functions. It caught most threats, but when I ran the same test without an internet connection, the results were noticeably worse.

I also navigated to dozens of phishing sites on a few different browsers to assess Defender’s anti-phishing capabilities, and I simulated exploit and network-based attacks to test Microsoft’s built-in firewall and network protections.

In addition to all of this testing, I measured CPU performance during various situations — like while using high-powered programs during disk scans — and tested every feature to assess its overall ease of use.

In the end, I found some issues with Windows Defender — here are my main complaints:

• Malware detection rates are lower than many third-party competitors (especially when offline).
• Content filters are limited to the Microsoft Edge browser.
• The main user interface is clunky and hard to navigate.
• PC system health report is basic (no performance-boosting or system cleanup).
• Lacks additional tools that third-party antiviruses have, like a VPN, password manager, dark web monitoring, and identity theft protection.
• Ransomware protections are intrusive and turned off by default.

Many people say that Windows Defender and common sense are all that anyone needs. Ultimately, whether it’s good enough is a subjective question. As an anti-malware tool, it can do the job in most cases. I’d say it’s at its weakest when it comes to baseline malware detection. Exercising extreme caution can go some way to making up for this, but that’s harder than most people think. There’s no easy answer to whether it’s good enough. What is certain, however, is that premium antiviruses offer many useful features that Defender utterly lacks.

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What Features Are Missing From Windows Defender?

The latest version of Windows Defender comes with many security features, but it lacks features that premium antiviruses include. Here’s a short list of key features that Windows Defender lacks:

• A virtual private network (VPN).
• Identity theft protection.
• Dark web monitoring.
• Anti-theft protection.
• Webcam/microphone protection.
• System optimization tools.
• Password manager.
• Extensive customization options.
• And more…

Defender’s lack of a VPN is a huge disappointment.A VPN protects your online privacy from trackers and allows you to access public networks securely. Norton, Bitdefender, and other brands on my list include a VPN. I particularly like Norton’s VPN, which uses 256-bit AES encryption to protect your data and comes with various features such as a kill switch (that disconnects your internet if the VPN connection drops), unlimited data, and more.

I’d also like to see a few system optimization tools included in Windows Defender. Defender offers a basic PC health report, but it can’t speed up your PC. Competitors like Norton, Bitdefender, and TotalAV all include features that can make your computer run quicker — such as cleaning up junk, temporary, and duplicate files. Windows does come with a defragging tool, but in most cases, it isn’t useful (and it can be bad for your PC if it runs on an SSD).

Windows also leaves a lot to be desired when it comes to customizing your security settings. If you rely on the operating system’s in-built tools, there isn’t all that much you can do. The firewall is tricky to manage, and most of the malware scanner’s settings are simple on/off switches. What’s more, the advanced ransomware protections are turned off by default, so most users will never benefit from this feature.

While Defender offers some good features, it’s severely lacking in other areas. You’re much better off choosing one of the alternatives below.

Best Alternatives to Microsoft Defender

🥇1. Norton 360 — Best Antivirus Alternative to Microsoft’s Windows Defender in 2024

Approved by our experts

Approved by our experts

Most readers pick Norton

Malware detection rate

100%

Key Features

AI-based scanner & VPN

Number of devices

Up to 10

OS compatibility

Money-back guarantee

60 Days

Visit Norton Now

norton.com

Norton 360is better than Windows Defender in every aspect — it has higher malware detection rates (online and offline), better internet security protections, more additional features, and coverage for more platforms.

In my head-to-head malware test, Norton caught way more malware files than Defender — Norton scored a perfect 100% malware detection rate, blocking several tricky spyware and ransomware files that Defender missed. And, unlike Defender, Norton’s full ransomware protections are on by default.

When it comes to internet security tools, Defender just can’t compete. Norton 360 includes:

• Stronger anti-phishing protection.
• More complete parental controls.
• Extra features like a VPN (virtual private network) and password manager.
• And a lot more…

Norton’s anti-phishing protections are among the best around. They caught a significantly larger number of suspicious websites in my tests than Defender — including malicious links in emails and text messages. Norton’s web defenses build on top of Microsoft’s, so you get two layers of protection (and Norton’s layer happens to be quite a bit stronger).

Norton 360 also has a wide range of features that Windows Defender doesn’t have — including an excellent VPN that provides encrypted access to servers in 30+ countries around the globe, and advanced dark web monitoring. Norton also has a really good password manager with all of the essentials, like auto-saving, auto-filling, and biometric login.

Plus, Norton offers far superior parental controls, which are also some of the best on the market. For example, you get web filtering (you can monitor the sites your kid visits and even block them) for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge — Windows’s web filters only work with Edge. Norton also conveniently displays 45+ website categories that you can monitor and block like alcohol, crime, and p*rnography. Another thing I really like about Norton is that it logs all of the videos that your kid watches on YouTube and provides information about each video such as the name of the video and a link to it.

At $49.99 / year*, Norton 360 Deluxeis the best-value package — it covers 5 devices and includes excellent parental controls, which offer location tracking as well as the ability to block and schedule usage for specific apps. Starting at $99.99 / year*, Norton 360 with LifeLock (US only) adds a $1 million identity theft insurance policy. There’s also a specialized plan for PC gamersthat has an advanced game booster and performance optimizer for improved gameplay. All of Norton’s plans come with a generous 60-day money-back guarantee.

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🥈2. Bitdefender — Better Cloud-Based Scanning Engine (With Excellent Additional Features)

Malware detection rate

100%

Key Features

Cloud-based scanner

Number of devices

Up to 10

OS compatibility

Money-back guarantee

30 Days

Visit Bitdefender Now

bitdefender.com

Bitdefenderis fast and lightweight, and it has a much better cloud-based scanning engine than Windows Defender. Its malware scanner caught all of my test malware during a full system scan, and, unlike Defender, it scored just as well when I tested it while offline. In addition, it barely had any impact on my computer’s performance. Even other top antiviruses like McAfee slowed down my system during scans.

Bitdefender is also more hands-off than Defender. A lot of users don’t want to upgrade to a third-party antivirus because they think it will be more complicated than Windows Defender’s automatic security protections — but you don’t have to worry about this with Bitdefender. Its “Autopilot” feature automatically analyzes your files, your network, and your online activity to create a set of default protections that run seamlessly in the background.

Here are some of Bitdefender’s additional security features:

• Better web protection.
• Simpler interface.
• Better parental controls.
• Extra tools like a VPN, password manager, webcam protection, PC tune-up, etc.

Bitdefender has some of the strongest web protection of any antivirus on the market. It prevented me from visiting phishing sites, as well as sites that contain downloadable malware. Windows’s web protection isn’t nearly as good, but it does stay on when you install Bitdefender, meaning users can enjoy multiple layers of protection. Another cool feature is Bitdefender’s secure browser, Safepay, which has robust tools to keep your online financial information safe during banking sessions or when you make online purchases (Windows Defender doesn’t have this feature). Safepay will also block screenshots and keystroke tracking and automatically fill out credit card information.

Bitdefender also comes with great microphone and webcam protection that Windows fails to offer. It will alert you if any unauthorized app attempts to access your webcam or microphone, and you can then decide whether or not to block the app. You can also set up a list of safe websites that are allowed to access both tools, such as Zoom, WhatsApp, and Skype.

Its VPN is extremely fast, providing better connection speeds than a lot of standalone VPNs (which is why Bitdefender is ranked as one of the best antiviruses with a VPN). The parental controls are also excellent — they provide app usage limits, online content filtering, and even geo-fencing which alerts you when your children’s devices leave a safe area.

Bitdefender’s premium Total Securityplan includes more features than almost any antivirus, for only $49.99 / year. Users on a budget can also check out Bitdefender’s less advanced antivirus packages, which start at $12.49 / year — they’re cheaper than most competitors and still offer really good PC protection. And users who want all of Bitdefender’s premium features, plus the VPN with no data limitations and a fully-featured password manager, should check out Bitdefender’s top-tier Premium Security suite ($79.99 / year). Bitdefender’s plans are covered by a 30-day money-back guarantee.

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🥉3. TotalAV — Easier to Use (With Great Performance Optimization Tools)

Malware detection rate

99.60%

Key Features

Beginner-friendly apps

Number of devices

Up to 8

OS compatibility

Money-back guarantee

30 Days

Visit TotalAV Now

totalav.com

TotalAVhas better detection rates and is much easier to use than Windows Defender. Its malware engine is lightweight, fast, and constantly updated to detect the latest malware threats. In my tests, it identified and removed more than 99% of the malware samples I downloaded to my virtual PC, including sophisticated malware files like ransomware and cryptojackers that Windows Defender missed.

I also found it very easy to access and use all of TotalAV’s features — the dashboard is more intuitive, simpler to navigate, and better designed than Windows Defender, making TotalAV a particularly good choice for non-tech-savvy users.

The system cleanup tools are some of the best on the market, and they include a ton of useful features, like a junk cleaner, application uninstaller, startup manager, and browser cleanup. Unlike with Windows’s native tools, all of these features are located in the same space, so you can get your PC optimized quite quickly.

TotalAV’s VPN, called Safe Browsing VPN, is the best VPN offered by an antivirus. It has unlimited data (so you can surf, stream, and torrent as much as you want), all of the industry-standard VPN security features (like bank-grade encryption and a kill switch), and very fast speeds. It also works with all of the top streaming services, including Netflix, and it allows torrenting on all servers.

The identity theft protection is very good too, but it only covers US users (like Norton) — competitors such as McAfee cover many different locations, including Canada, the UK, Australia, Japan, NZ, and some European countries.

My favorite TotalAV plan is Total Security, which costs $49.00 and includes all of TotalAV’s features — but users looking for a more affordable option can opt for TotalAV Antivirus Pro ($19.00 / year) and Internet Security ($39.00 / year), which both offer a good set of features at an affordable price. All TotalAV plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

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4. McAfee — Better Web Protection (With Data Cleanup Tools)

Malware detection rate

100%

Key Features

Great web protection

Number of devices

Unlimited

OS compatibility

Money-back guarantee

30 Days

Visit McAfee Now

mcafee.com

McAfee Total Protectionis an excellent internet security suite with much better web protection and network safeguards than Windows Defender. Its web protection caught 100% of the verified phishing sites I tried to access — far better than Microsoft SmartScreen and Edge’s built-in browser protection (though both work effectively alongside McAfee). Its malware scanner is also one of the best on the market, outperforming Windows’s antivirus and catching all 1,000 malware files on my PC.

McAfee offers a huge improvement over Windows 11’s built-in protections. Among other features, it includes:

• Firewall.
• VPN.
• Parental controls.
• System optimization.
• Personal data cleanup tool.
• Identity theft protection.

McAfee’s firewall is meant to be used in tandem with the one provided by Windows Defender. I found that it provided greater protection than Windows Defender did by itself. It’s also easy to manage suspicious applications that the firewall blocks. That said, it isn’t the most advanced firewall out there. Some users will be disappointed by the fact that you can’t manage your ports. Still, it’s an effective tool that works well with Windows Defender.

Safe Family, McAfee’s parental controls app, has way more functionality than Windows’s default parental controls, letting you set time limits, create and manage content filters, and set up geographical restrictions for your kids via the mobile app.

McAfee also provides a personal data cleanup service, which guides you on removing your personal data from data brokerages that are selling your details for profit — even many top antiviruses don’t offer this feature, let alone Windows Defender.

There’s also identity theft protection, which monitors the dark web in real-time and alerts you if any of your personally identifying information is leaked — and it keeps tabs on a wide range of your information, including email addresses, credit card numbers, your social security number, and more. I also like how McAfee provides you with steps you need to take to fix the breach and gives you tips on how to avoid one in the future.

McAfee Advancedis priced at $79.99 / year and offers access to up to $1 million in identity theft coverage.It also includes assistance with canceling and replacing IDs and credit cards in case of a lost or stolen wallet, and the security freeze feature, which stops unauthorized people from opening accounts in your name, like credit card, bank, and utility accounts. Identity theft protection is available in over 20 countries, including the US, UK, Japan, South Africa, India, and Australia.

McAfee Total Protectionis available for 5 or unlimited devices, and its prices start at $35.99 / year. Both individual and family plans are covered by a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read the full McAfee review here >

5. Panda— More Extras (and Flexible Pricing)

Malware detection rate

95%

Key Features

PC Rescue Kit & game mode

Number of devices

Unlimited

OS compatibility

Money-back guarantee

30 Days

Visit Panda Now

pandasecurity.com

Panda Dome is a good anti-malware program that has high malware detection rates, decent extra features, and a rich set of customization options. In my testing, it detected malware about as accurately as Windows Defender, catching the majority of the malware files on my test PC, but it missed some newer adware and ransomware files that competitors like Nortoncaught.

Panda also includes a ton of extra features that Windows’s free antivirus doesn’t offer, including a really good VPN — it uses Hotspot Shield’s VPN technology to provide fast and encrypted web access to servers in 20+ countries around the globe. Panda also includes:

• Virtual keyboard (for safeguarding against keyloggers).
• File shredder (to permanently delete files beyond recovery).
• File encryption.
• PC cleanup tools.
• Anti-theft tools (for Windows, Android, and iOS devices).
• Rescue Kit (removes malware from blocked PCs).

I’m a huge fan of Panda’s Rescue Kit, which is a bootable version of Panda you can save to a USB thumb drive. If a really bad malware infection occurs, the Rescue Kit can restart a computer and open Panda from the thumb drive, allowing you to use Panda’s cloud-based malware technology to disinfect the system.

Another thing that impressed me was Panda’s anti-theft tools. Panda lets you remotely lock your devices and erase information from them, take a photo of the thief after 3 failed logins, and locate your lost device. It’s cool that Panda also works with Android smartwatches.

Panda is one of the few antiviruses that offer file encryption and file shredding, two features that Defender doesn’t offer. I encrypted some of my most sensitive files (like health records) so they were completely unreadable to a hacker or even someone else who may borrow my computer. When I wanted to make sure a file was permanently deleted and inaccessible, like my banking statement, Panda’s file shredder erased it with ease.

Panda offers 5 different packages, including a free plan for users on a budget. The paid plans start at $22.50 / year, and they all offer monthly, yearly, 2-year, and 3-year subscription options for 1, 3, 5, 10, or an unlimited number of devices. There’s a 30-day money-back guarantee on all plans.

Read the full Panda review here >

6. Malwarebytes — Good Anti-Malware Protection for Budget Users

Malware detection rate

95%

Key Features

Secure browser extension

Number of devices

Up to 20

See Also

Microsoft System Center Endpoint Protection Cookbook - Second Edition

OS compatibility

Money-back guarantee

60 Days

Visit Malwarebytes Now

malwarebytes.com

Malwarebytesoffers advanced protection against a wide range of malware threats, including zero-day attacks and ransomware. Its scanning engine is just as high quality as top competitors like Norton — I was pleasantly surprised that Malwarebytes caught every single malware sample during my tests.

Malwarebytes’s dashboard is easier to use than Defender’s dashboard. This is to be expected, though — Malwarebytes doesn’t really have any extra features, besides an automatic anti-phishing filter (that works far better than Microsoft’s built-in protections).

Another area where Malwarebytes is superior to Defender is scheduling system scans. Malwarebytes has an easy-to-find Scanner tab, where it’s simple to start a quick scan, configure a custom scan, or schedule a scan. Defender, on the other hand, forces you to meander through annoying steps via the Task Scheduler app to schedule a scan. Inexperienced users may find this process difficult and confusing.

Malwarebytes’s VPN is pretty good — users looking for an additional layer of online privacy will be happy with it. The VPN provides encrypted access to servers around the globe. However, it wasn’t as fast as Bitdefender’s VPN in my testing, it doesn’t work with most streaming sites, and it doesn’t allow torrenting.

Malwarebytes Plusoffers malware protection and a secure VPN for $59.99 / year. There’s also Malwarebytes Standard, which only costs $44.99 / year, but it’s just a malware scanner with real-time protections and little else. Malwarebytes offers a 60-day money-back guarantee on both plans.

Read the full Malwarebytes review here >

7. Avira — More (and Better) Free Features

Malware detection rate

100%

Key Features

Device optimization tools

Number of devices

Up to 5

OS compatibility

Money-back guarantee

60 Days

Visit Avira Now

avira.com

Avira Free Security for Windowsprovides strong anti-malware scanning and tons of high-quality extra features inside its free version — it’s one of thebest free Windows antiviruses on the market. Its cloud-based malware scanner performed really well during my tests, detecting 100% of the malware sample files on my device — and, unlike Defender, the offline detection rate is only slightly lower.

Avira’s free antivirus includes features that Windows’s antivirus doesn’t provide, such as:

• Safe Shopping browser extension.
• Free VPN (with 500 MB of data per month).
• Extras like performance optimization tools & password manager.

I really like the Safe Shopping browser extension, which blocks web trackers, intrusive advertisem*nts, and phishing sites — outperforming Windows’s SmartScreen in terms of security and convenience. The extension also finds the best shopping deals, but this feature didn’t always work as intended during my tests.

Like TotalAV, Avira also comes with excellent system optimization tools that can significantly improve a slow or old computer’s performance — but only basic cleanup tools are available on the free version. The premium plans include the driver updater, which Defender doesn’t have. This tool detected 2 software updates on my PC that were overdue.

Avira also has a feature-rich free password manager, which is one of the best that you’ll find bundled with an antivirus package. In addition to having 256-bit AES encryption, unlimited password storage, and two-factor authentication, Avira’s password manager comes with a password generator, it auto-saves and auto-fills your passwords, and you can use it on an unlimited number of devices. Avira’s password manager is also really easy to use and navigate.

Avira Primeis the best package (and the only one that includes an unlimited-data VPN). At just $59.99 / year, it offers all of Avira’s features and coverage for up to 5 devices (up to 25 for a small price increase) across all operating systems. All Avira plans include a generous 60-day money-back guarantee.

Read the full Avira review here >

8. Kaspersky — More Advanced Parental Controls + Good Financial Protections

Malware detection rate

100%

Key Features

Great parental controls

Number of devices

Up to 20

OS compatibility

Money-back guarantee

30 Days

Visit Kaspersky Now

kaspersky.com

Kaspersky offers a good malware scanner and web protections — they’re both more advanced than the ones offered by Defender. In terms of malware protection, Kaspersky ranks with the top antiviruses on the market, detecting malware more effectively than many competitors, including Defender.

Kaspersky has really good parental controls, too — much better than Defender’s. In fact, it’sone of thetop antiviruses with parental controls. The parental controls provide device usage limits for Android users (the feature didn’t work in my iOS tests), online content filters, a search monitoring filter for YouTube, and geo-fencing controls to ensure your kids remain in a safe area.

There are also good financial protections with the Safe Money browser. This feature offers a sandboxed browser window and an on-screen keyboard for secure online transactions — it’s a simple and helpful way to improve online privacy. Kaspersky knew each time I was visiting a financial site and automatically offered to open the Safe Money browser, which blocks malware and spyware. The virtual keyboard is user-friendly and a great tool for locking out dangerous keyloggers. However, while Kaspersky’s Safe Money browser is a good security tool (that Windows Defender lacks), it’s not as good as Bitdefender’s.

Finally, Kaspersky also has some features that aren’t included with Windows, like a password manager and an unlimited-data VPN. There’s also webcam protection, which alerts you whenever you visit a website or open an app (like Zoom) that uses your webcam, and microphone protection for certain apps.

Kaspersky’s cheaper plans are decent and cover up to 10 users — there’s Standard ($27.99 / year) and Kaspersky Plus ($33.99 / year), but families looking for good parental controls will want to upgrade to Kaspersky Premium ($38.99 / year), which covers up to 20 devices. However, keep in mind that the parental controls are only included in the Premium plan for the first year — after that, you’ll need to pay for them separately. Kaspersky backs all plans with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read the full Kaspersky review here >

9. Trend Micro — Good Phishing Protection

Malware detection rate

100%

Key Features

Social media scanner

Number of devices

Up to 10

OS compatibility

Money-back guarantee

30 Days

Visit Trend Micro Now

trendmicro.com

Trend Micro offers some notable improvements over Microsoft’s built-in protections. Its antivirus scanner performed well in my testing, catching around the same amount of malware as Defender. That said, it generated fewer false positives, the scans were faster, and its real-time protection uses fewer resources.

I also really like Trend Micro’s anti-phishing protection, which provides color-coded rankings for Google searches and automatically blocks unsafe links from emails, texts, and pop-up ads.

Trend Micro offers a few other good features that Defender lacks, including Pay Guard and Secure Erase. Pay Guard is Trend Micro’s secure browser for online transactions and is similar to Bitdefender’s Safepay browser and Avira’s Safe Shopping browser extension — but not nearly as good. Secure Erase permanently wipes a file from your system, much like Panda’s file shredder feature. It’s much better than Windows’s Recycle Bin, just as Pay Guard is much more secure than Edge.

I’m not a fan of Trend Micro’s parental controls, privacy scanner, or VPN. They’re ok, but they’re not nearly as good as the offerings from competitors like Norton and McAfee. Trend Micro’s parental controls offer very basic features like web and app filtering and setting time limits for devices, but there’s no geofencing, the reports it creates are lacking in detail, and the PrivacyScanner didn’t work with Chrome in my tests. Still, it’s better than what you get with Windows’s native parental controls. The VPN is fast, works with a lot of streaming apps, and allows torrenting, but it’s missing a kill switch, has a smaller server network, and has some connection issues.

Trend Micro offers 4 different plans. Antivirus+ Security ($19.95 / year) includes real-time protection, anti-phishing, and an email scam filter for 1 PC. Internet Security ($39.95 / year) adds parental controls and system tune-up for 3 PCs. Maximum Security ($49.95 / year) also includes a password manager for 5 PCs, Androids, iOS, or macOS devices, whereas Premium Security Suite ($54.95 / year)adds dark web monitoring, priority support, and the VPN for up to 10 devices. You get a 30-day money-back guarantee with all plans.

Read the full Trend Micro review here >

10. ESET — Advanced Malware Detection & Anti-Theft Tools

Malware detection rate

100%

Key Features

Advanced diagnostic tools

Number of devices

Up to 10

OS compatibility

Money-back guarantee

30 Days

Visit ESET Now

eset.com

ESETincludes a very advanced anti-malware engine that thoroughly scans Windows systems. While its scan took longer than Windows Defender’s during my tests, ESET managed to detect malware samples that Defender missed, with very little difference between the online and offline detection rates (a huge problem with Defender). That said, it’s not quite as good as competitors like Norton and Bitdefender.

ESET’s anti-theft feature also worked well — I set it up on my Windows HP laptop and I was able to remotely lock my device, track it via ESET’s online dashboard, display messages on the screen, and capture images of the thieves via my laptop’s built-in webcam. Windows lacks any equivalent feature.

Along with advanced malware detection, ESET also includes HIPS (Host Intrusion Prevention System), which is specially designed to detect hard-to-remove malware, such as ransomware and rootkits. HIPS worked well when I tested it, blocking ransomware simulations and rootkits more effectively than Windows’s BitLocker tool.

ESET’s Premium Security planis a decent value for the price. Coverage for one device starts at $52.28 / year, but it’s relatively cheap to add extra devices to your plan. ESET comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read the full ESET review here >

Quick Comparison Table

Testing Methodology: Comparison & Ranking Criteria

To gauge the quality of the antiviruses listed above and determine how they measure up to Windows Defender, I used our thorough testing criteria. Using this system, I considered things like malware detection and removal capabilities, extra features, and ease of use. Here are some of the things I did to reach my conclusion:

• I tested malware detection and removal rates. I added a dataset of over 1,000 pieces of malware to various devices and then ran each antivirus to see how many threats it could detect and neutralize. Every antivirus on this list detected most malware (including Defender), but there was a big spread, with some antiviruses detecting every single threat and others falling a little short. I tested each antivirus with an internet connection active and while offline. Windows Defender did far worse while offline, but with the best products, the difference was negligible to non-existent.
• I dug into the impact on performance. I evaluated the impact of each antivirus on system performance by monitoring CPU and memory usage during various activities, including full system scans, quick scans, and regular operation. I ran these tests on multiple devices to ensure comprehensive results. Every antivirus on this list had a limited impact. Bitdefender stood out for using very few resources, even on older devices. Defender came out on the bottom. What’s more, many premium options come with system optimization tools.
• I examined any and all extra features. Every antivirus on this list comes with extra features that the free version of Microsoft Defender lacks entirely. Many come with VPNs, optimization tools, advanced parental controls, identity theft protections, and more. I considered the value each of these features brings and then tested them to make sure they do the job as promised. Norton comes out on top when it comes to extras, but all the products on my list bring something useful to the table.
• I tested each product on every supported device type. The free version of Defender only works on Windows devices, but that isn’t true of its premium competitors. Every antivirus on this list works on multiple operating systems. Most have apps for Macs, iPhones, and Androids in addition to PCs — a few even work on Chromebooks. Naturally I tested how well these non-Windows apps worked against malware and examined the extra features too. I was satisfied with every product that made it onto this list.

Is Windows Defender Better Than Free Antivirus Software?

Windows Defender, Microsoft’s built-in antivirus tool, offers a decent level of protection, especially for users who want a no-fuss, no-cost solution. However, while it provides basic real-time protection, cloud-based scanning, and external drive scanning, it suffers from a much lower offline detection rate, so I can’t recommend it if your device isn’t usually connected to the internet. But the biggest drawback is the lack of advanced features.

If you’re determined to use a free antivirus, TotalAV’s free version provides on-demand scanning with better detection rates than Defender — but it lacks real-time protection, something that Windows Defender offers without charge.

Avira’s free plan is a decent choice because it comes with real-time protection and other features that you rarely see in free products, such as a password manager and a Safe Shopping browser extension.

Avira, on the other hand, offers superior malware scanning to Windows Defenderand additional tools such as a free VPN and device optimization tools — but it lacks specific scanning options that are available in Windows Defender.

In conclusion, Windows Defender is a decent choice for basic protection, but it may not be the best option when compared to other free antivirus software. The best free standalone antivirus products offer more advanced features, higher malware detection rates, and additional functionalities that Windows Defender lacks.

That said, all free antiviruses are somewhat limited in their features, so for comprehensive protection, I recommend always going for an affordable premium suite if you can. Norton’s plans start at a very reasonable $54.99 / year*.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Windows Defender enough to stay protected?

It depends on what you mean by “enough”. Windows Defender offers some decent cybersecurity protection, but it’s nowhere near as good as most premium antivirus software.

Windows Defender is fine if you’re just looking for basic cybersecurity protection. But if you have a lot of sensitive information on your device which might attract hackers — banking info, login details, private files — then no, it’s not “enough”. Windows’s antivirus has some serious problems in terms of online security, multi-device protection, poor-quality updates, and malware protection. You can read more about my analysis of Defender’s security offerings here.

What is Windows Defender SmartScreen? Should I disable it?

SmartScreen is Microsoft Defender’s real-time phishing protection. If you try to download a malicious file or visit a dangerous website, SmartScreen will stop the download or prevent you from opening the site. It does a pretty good job, but third-party tools work better in my experience. It also only works with Edge and Internet Explorer, which is a shame. Luckily SmartScreen is compatible with most antiviruses, so installing one gets you a second, generally stronger line of defense against web-based threats.

Can Windows Defender remove malware?

Yes. If Windows Defender detects malware, it will remove it from your PC. However, Microsoft’s behavior-based detection isn’t as reliable as others, meaning you’re more vulnerable to zero-day threats if you’re solely relying on Defender. It also has lower overall detection rates, especially while working offline, which does concern me a bit.

While there are better free antiviruses out there, no free antivirus can offer the kind of guaranteed malware protection that the best anti-malware software can. If you’re looking for the best malware protection and internet security tools, a premium antivirus like Nortonis much more capable.

Does Windows have built-in phishing protection?

Mostly, yes.Microsoft’s SmartScreen is designed to protect Microsoft Edge users from a wide range of online cybersecurity threats, including phishing emails and malicious sites which attempt to steal your personal information.

However, if you’re using a different browser, like Chrome or Firefox, the SmartScreen browser extension honestly isn’t worth installing — it doesn’t detect phishing sites as accurately as Google and Mozilla’s built-in detection.

If you’re looking to improve your web security, McAfee provides superior phishing detection for all major browsers, as well as a “Smart Firewall” and a fast VPN to keep your browsing 100% anonymous.

Is Windows Defender free?

Yes. Windows Defender is automatically installed for free on all PCs that have Windows 7, Windows 8.1, Windows 10, or Windows 11. You can also upgrade to Microsoft 365 Personal or Family to extend your protection to Mac, iOS, or Android — but it’s honestly not worth doing.

Again, there are better free Windows antiviruses out there, and again, no free antivirus is going to provide the kind of protection that you will get with a full-featured premium antivirus.

Should I replace Windows Defender with another antivirus?

Microsoft’s Windows Defender just isn’t good enough, though it’s a lot closer than it’s ever been to competing with third-party internet security suites. In terms of malware detection, it often ranks below the detection rates offered by top antivirus competitors.In terms of system performance, Defender’s scans take longer and cause more slowdown than most third-party antiviruses. And finally, in terms of essential security features, Defender is severely lacking.

Using Windows Defender as a standalone antivirus is much better than not using any antivirus at all. But it still leaves you vulnerable to ransomware, spyware, and advanced forms of malware that can leave you devastated in the event of an attack.

I recommend one of the following options:

• Option 1: Choose a better free antivirus to replace Windows Defender. If you’re on a really tight budget and you can’t afford a paid antivirus, there are a few free antivirus products that are significantly better than Defender. I like Bitdefender’s free antivirusthe best. But it’s important to remember that all free antiviruses have limitations that premium antiviruses don’t have.
• Option 2: Optimize your PC’s protection with a premium antivirus. No free antivirus will offer you 100% protection, and Windows Defender has repeatedly shown to be vulnerable to malware, ransomware, and spyware. It doesn’t cost a lot of money to keep you and your PC safe, so investing a few bucks a monthin a premium internet security suiteis hands-down the best way of protecting yourself and guaranteeing your cybersecurity.

Can I use Windows Defender with another antivirus?

You can, but I wouldn’t recommend it. Windows Defender’s protections can conflict with third-party antivirus software, inhibiting the software’s ability to scan and detect malware. Using Windows Defender in combination with another antivirus program canact as an extra layer of protection, but my advice is to choose a reliable antivirus that offers complete Windows protectionand disable Windows Defender’s malware scanning modules to prevent any conflicts.

Note that in most cases, when installing a third-party antivirus on your PC, Windows will automatically disable Windows Defender — either putting it into passive mode or disabling its protections entirely. But it’s always best to make sure that Windows Defender’s protections are correctly disabled after you’ve installed a third-party antivirus, like Norton.

How to disable Windows Defender?

To ensure your new antivirus is running properly, you’ll need to disable Windows Defender to avoid any conflicts between the two scanning engines.

• Step 1: Click the Start button and use the search bar on Windows 11 to look up Windows Security, or select the Windows Security tab and then click on Virus & threat protection if you’re on an older version of Windows.
• Step 2: Locate and select Manage settings (found underneath the Virus & threat protection settings heading).
• Step 3: Turn off real-time protection by clicking the toggle to Off. A message will appear saying “Real-time protection is off, leaving your device vulnerable” — it’s fine to ignore this message if you have installed a trusted alternative antivirus with real-time protection activated.

Windows Defender will now be deactivated. You’ll also see other options, including Cloud-delivered protection and Automatic sample submission— you can also switch these to Off, but these settings won’t impact the performance of your new antivirus software as Windows Defender’s real-time protection has already been deactivated.

How to scan for malware using Windows Defender?

Scanning for malware with Windows Defender is easy. Here’s how to perform a scan on the latest versions of Windows:

• Open Windows Security: Click the Start button, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Windows Security, and select Virus & threat protection.
• Choose a scan type: Under “Current threats”, you can choose from a quick scan, full scan, or custom scan. A quick scan targets common areas in your system where malware might hide, a full scan checks your entire system, and a custom scan lets you pick a specific file or folder to check for malware.
• Start the scan: Click the Scan now button. Note: If you’ve chosen a full or custom scan, follow the on-screen instructions here to initiate the scan.
• Review results: Once the scan is complete, Windows Defender will display the results. If threats are found, you’ll be guided on how to remove or quarantine them. However, I recommend getting a premium antivirus like Norton for full protection. If you have a premium antivirus, these instructions still apply, but from Virus & threat protection,you’ll be instructed to open up your premium antivirus app.

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