Is Windows Defender the only antivirus you need?

Windows Defender comes with all Windows computers, but how does it compare to the competition and is it enough to protect you?

What is Windows Defender?

It is very easy to use a Windows computer without knowing what Windows Defender is. This integrated antivirus program is available for free with all modern Windows operating systems. If you don't have third-party antivirus software installed on your PC, chances are Windows Defender is currently keeping your PC safe.

Previously, Microsoft's antivirus service was not up to standard, people recommended downloading third-party antivirus applications. However, in recent years, Microsoft has turned Windows Defender into a serious contender in the antivirus field, with some even arguing that you don't need any other security software on your PC.

How good is Windows Defender?

So is Windows Defender safe? Luckily, you don't need to download every antivirus software and manually check how well your computer is protected. Research groups specialize in antivirus software and provide the public with data on which software suites are best.

One of my favorite sources is AV-Test's list of Windows antivirus software. AV-Test has been testing Windows antivirus software for a long time, testing each one to see which one is right for your PC.

At the time of writing, the most recent AV-Test report is Windows Defender December 2023. In this report, Windows Defender puts up some amazing numbers; it manages better than the industry average on a variety of factors.

For example, a real test of an antivirus software can show how effective it is in detecting and preventing Zero-day vulnerabilities. While the industry average detects 97.6% of all Zero-day attacks, Windows Defender finds the same number of attacks. It also has an impeccable record in protecting users from well-known viruses.

However, a good antivirus software won't be useful if it causes performance problems for your PC. Fortunately, Windows Defender performed below the industry average in terms of performance impact. The only element it lacks is checking the installation of famous apps, which is not a big deal.

Windows Defender also has a perfect record when it comes to inaccurate detections. Therefore, Windows Defender will not accidentally flag a legitimate application as a virus or prevent you from accessing a safe website.

One of the biggest complaints people have about Windows Defender is its user interface, which may not be as intuitive as other third-party applications. Luckily, you can use DefenderUI to tweak Windows Defender to your liking.

Is Windows Defender enough?

You will not regret going with Windows Defender if you are looking for a safe antivirus software. Gone are the days when the first thing you did on your new PC was download third-party antivirus software for proper protection; you can now feasibly use your PC with Windows Defender and get top-notch protection.

However, that doesn't mean all third-party antivirus apps are useless. Different apps will have different features, so you may want to buy something that suits your needs best.

For example, although Windows Defender is very effective, it is not open source. Therefore, those who like the confidence that open source software gives them will find better antivirus applications elsewhere. Other suites will offer antivirus with a built-in VPN, which is appealing to those concerned about privacy. Be sure to check out how to stop Windows Defender from blocking third-party antivirus software if you decide to go this route.

Therefore, if you are after an antivirus software suite that is both powerful and easy to use on your system, then you will not regret choosing Windows Defender. It surpasses industry standards in both protection and performance, and you can happily use the app without worry. However, based on what other antivirus apps are doing, it's still worth checking to see if any of them have functions that Windows Defender lacks.