
This is a refreshing offering when you consider this is free to use and is as, if not more, capable than the paid services. Unlike a lot of the free software out there, this won't try to get you to sign up to a paid service, continually pestering you or using ads. You don't have to think about it or worry about it slowing you down or eating through your battery. That means it's far less effort than the competition since it just works. As such, the system impact of Windows Defender is minimal, making it ideal for use on a tablet or laptop where battery life will be impacted far less.Īs such, Windows Defender works away quietly in the background keeping your system safe. Since this is built by Microsoft, into Microsoft systems, it can be optimized to perform far more efficiently than a third party option. One of the stand-out features of Windows Defender is that it's really fast. Microsoft has started taking endpoint security seriously, and as such the current Windows Defender is often found to outperform a lot of the third-party dedicated best antivirus software options when it comes to malware protection.

That same testing lab now ranks Windows Defender as one of the top services.

While this started off as an inferior antivirus system, rated as dead last in tests by AV-Test back in 2013, it's changed. This free service now comes built into Windows 10 as standard. Microsoft's Windows Defender was first available with Windows XP and has since evolved to what it is now, Microsoft Defender. Is this true? We lay it all out for you to decide. Now Microsoft has built up its Windows Defender to a level that, many say, is enough to protect you without the need for these other services. News that Avast has been selling user data makes it a great time to drop excess unnecessary potential snooping threats. Enter Windows Defender, aka Microsoft Defender.īig-name antivirus protection platforms like McAfee, Norton, Avast, AVG, Kaspersky, and more have long defended computers and mobile devices from potential viral threats.

That's changing as a new wave of protections start to offer similarly high-level safety without the usual costs you'd expect from paid-for antivirus software. As such, they stick to the older model of pay-to-own, which can leave you out of pocket for the privilege of simply being safe online. Antivirus software options that keep your digital world safe have been around nearly as long as the viruses that warrant their use.
