Do Windows 11 devices need third-party antivirus software?

Windows 11 is a surprising upgrade; with a sleek user interface, brand new Start menu, Android smartphone integration, Widgets, etc. New features and enhancements have made the Windows 11 update so worthwhile.

In addition, there has also been a significant jump in the security level of the latest version of Windows. According to Microsoft, Windows 11 is the most secure operating system released to date. But does that mean you don't need antivirus software for your Windows 11 device anymore?

Windows 11 First Line of Defense: TPM 2.0

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The Trusted Platform Module (TPM) is a little-known hardware-based security feature that became popular with the release of Windows 11. Windows 11 needed a processor compatible with TPM 2.0 and Secure. Boot. Your PC will be considered incompatible if these requirements are not met. TPM is basically a hardware chip located on the motherboard of the system to store cryptographic functions.

With TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot enabled, malware can no longer attack your Windows 11 system during the boot process. These hardware-based security measures completely remove a wide range of dangerous malware.

Windows 11 built-in antivirus engine, Microsoft Defender

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Windows 11 comes pre-installed with a dedicated antivirus software - Microsoft Defender. From being the laughing stock of the cybersecurity world, Microsoft Defender is now an excellent antivirus. AV-TEST even claims it is one of the best performing antivirus on the market. Microsoft Defender is free, provides effective real-time and web protection, and requires no separate configuration. You can even set up Smart App Control to further protect your PC from untrusted services and apps, although those using older systems will need to reset Windows 11 to install. Smart App Control.

Do you need a third-party antivirus for Windows 11?

With the security of Microsoft Defender combined with the hardware security requirements of Windows 11, you get the most secure Windows ever.

However, Microsoft Defender doesn't protect you from things like adware and its real-time protection or inaccurate warnings against clean programs and files. It also doesn't offer significant protection against ransomware, which can have serious consequences.

Therefore, if you want to be completely protected from malware, it is better to use a third-party antivirus and combine it with the security features of Windows Security. There are many great antivirus programs for Windows 11 that you can choose from, such as Bitdefender, Avast, AVG, and Kaspersky.

While Microsoft Defender is amazing, it's not perfect. So it's a good idea to invest in a budget-friendly antivirus program to enhance your Windows 11 malware protection.

Lesley Montoya

Update 29 April 2022