Is Windows Defender reliable 2022?
Based on the independent tests concluded in January and February 2022, AV-Test labs evaluated Microsoft Defender protection at 100%. This is both in terms of prevalent malware and zero-day threats, including online and email threats.
Windows Defender offers some decent cybersecurity protection, but it's nowhere near as good as most premium antivirus software. If you're just looking for basic cybersecurity protection, then Microsoft's Windows Defender is fine.
Overall Security
Even if you don't have any other antivirus software installed, your Windows 10 PC will start with some basic protection in place. In January 2021, AV-Test (an independent security testing lab), rated Microsoft Defender as a Top Product with a perfect 6.0 score.
Windows Defender scans a user's email, internet browser, cloud, and apps for the above cyberthreats. However, Windows Defender lacks endpoint protection and response, as well as automated investigation and remediation, so more antivirus software is necessary.
Windows, Android, iOS, and Mac operating systems all have decent security protections, so is an antivirus still necessary in 2022? The answer is a resounding YES!
Answer: AV- comparatives conducted tests and the results showed that while the detection rate for Windows Defender was 99.5%, Avast anti-virus led by detecting 100% of malware. Avast also has a lot of advanced features that are not available on Windows Defender.
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Windows Defender comes packed with the Windows 10 update and offers top-notch antimalware protection to keep your device and data safe. Although, Windows Defender is not capable of handling all kinds of viruses, malware, trojan, and other security threats.
Norton 360 takes the top spot as the better antivirus option against Microsoft Defender. While Microsoft Defender provides a great real-time malware detection rate, it doesn't match up to the Norton 360, which detected and blocked every threat thrown its way.
Protect Your Devices
If you're using a Windows computer or an Android device, you should most definitely install a third-party antivirus utility. Microsoft Defender is getting better, but it's not up to the best competitors, even the best free ones. And Google Play Protect is ineffective.
Does Windows Defender scan for malware?
Microsoft Defender Antivirus is a built-in malware scanner for Microsoft Windows 10. As part of the Windows Security suite, it will search for any files or programs on your computer that can cause harm to it. Defender looks for software threats like viruses and other malware across email, apps, the cloud, and the web.
The Windows firewall is solid and trustworthy. While people can quibble about the Microsoft Security Essentials/Windows Defender virus detection rate, the Windows firewall does just as good a job of blocking incoming connections as other firewalls.

Yes, we recommend all Windows devices use antivirus software. Currently, the only antivirus software known to be compatible with Windows 11 in S mode is the version that comes with it: Windows Defender Security Center.
It is up to you, you may use Windows Defender Anti-Malware, Windows Firewall or use McAfee Anti-Malware and McAfee Firewall. But if you want to use Windows Defender, you have full protection and you could completely remove McAfee.
The general answer is no, you don't need to use McAfee or Norton if you're using Windows 10 – but you might want to, anyway. Because you can never be too careful when it comes to protecting against viruses, malware, and ransomware attacks.
You do need an antivirus for Windows 10, even though it comes with Microsoft Defender Antivirus. That's because this software lacks endpoint protection and response plus automated investigation and remediation.
- Microsoft Defender. Best free Windows antivirus. ...
- Norton 360 With LifeLock Select. Best antivirus subscription for Windows. ...
- Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition. Best free antivirus alternative for Windows. ...
- Malwarebytes. Best on-demand Windows malware removal. ...
- McAfee Total Protection. Solid subscription antivirus alternative.
As soon as a malicious file or software is detected, Microsoft Defender blocks it and prevents it from running. And with cloud-delivered protection turned on, newly detected threats are added to the antivirus and antimalware engine so that your other devices and users are protected, as well.
In addition to spotting known trojans, the McAfee antivirus program can identify new trojans by detecting suspicious activity inside any and all of your applications.
McAfee Virus Removal Service detects and eliminates viruses, Trojans, spyware and other malware easily and quickly from your PC. It also applies security updates to your operating system and your security software when necessary.
Should I disable Windows Defender if I have Norton?
Replies (5)
Yes you can run them together but it is not necessary. If you have the paid version of Norton then just run that. To disable Defender go to Services and Windows Defender to Disable and stop the service. If you do not then use Defender and uninstall Norton.
In the AV-Comparatives malware protection test, McAfee got the perfect “ADVANCED+” score; the Defender got the second-best with “ADVANCED.” In the real-world tests, McAfee attained the “ADVANCED” rating, while Microsoft's antivirus was rated “STANDARD.” False positives are one of the Defender's biggest cons.
Windows Defender comes packed with the Windows 10 update and offers top-notch antimalware protection to keep your device and data safe. Although, Windows Defender is not capable of handling all kinds of viruses, malware, trojan, and other security threats.
High-quality free security products do exist, and Windows Defender is a good way to keep you and your computer safe. It is, however, not the best. For that, we recommend Bitdefender Antivirus Plus, Kaspersky Anti-Virus, and Webroot SecureAnywhere AntiVirus, among others.
Bitdefender is our winner. It is more than just an antivirus; it's an all-in-one security powerhouse, protecting everything from your webcam and microphone to shielding your privacy with a fast and secure VPN.
It is up to you, you may use Windows Defender Anti-Malware, Windows Firewall or use McAfee Anti-Malware and McAfee Firewall. But if you want to use Windows Defender, you have full protection and you could completely remove McAfee.
You do need an antivirus for Windows 10, even though it comes with Microsoft Defender Antivirus. That's because this software lacks endpoint protection and response plus automated investigation and remediation.
Microsoft Defender Antivirus is a built-in malware scanner for Microsoft Windows 10. As part of the Windows Security suite, it will search for any files or programs on your computer that can cause harm to it. Defender looks for software threats like viruses and other malware across email, apps, the cloud, and the web.