Microsoft Defender Antivirus Review 2025

In this Microsoft Defender Antivirus review, I’ll cover everything you need to know about the cybersecurity tool. But is Windows Defender enough? In a world where online threats are evolving at an alarming pace, it’s natural to wonder whether the antivirus solution is enough to protect you.

Microsoft Defender Antivirus is part of the Windows Security suite and was formerly known as Windows Defender. It’s one of the most widely used antivirus solutions today, thanks to the fact it’s built into Windows. With the increasing sophistication of online threats, including malware and ransomware, however, you shouldn’t necessarily rely on it.

In this Microsoft Defender review, I’ll cover its strengths and weaknesses and the protection it provides against online threats. That said, it’s been beaten in malware protection testing by third-party providers, it doesn’t include additional security features, and it can only protect Windows desktops – so I recommend using an alternative like TotalAV.

Table of Contents Table of Contents

1. What is Microsoft Defender Antivirus?
2. Microsoft Defender Antivirus' Performance
3. Microsoft Defender Antivirus' Security Features
4. Is Windows Security Enough?
5. What You Won't Get With Windows Security
6. Windows Security – Compatibility and Ease of Use
7. Best Practices for Using Windows Security
8. Alternatives to Microsoft Defender Antivirus aka Windows Defender
9. FAQs
10. References

Show Full Guide

Table of Contents

1. What is Microsoft Defender Antivirus?
2. Microsoft Defender Antivirus' Performance
3. Microsoft Defender Antivirus' Security Features
Show Full Guide
4. Is Windows Security Enough?
5. What You Won't Get With Windows Security
6. Windows Security – Compatibility and Ease of Use
7. Best Practices for Using Windows Security
8. Alternatives to Microsoft Defender Antivirus aka Windows Defender
9. FAQs
10. References

What is Microsoft Defender Antivirus?

The Windows Security suite also contains the Windows Firewall and receives regular updates. It can perform automatic scans of your machine to ensure your computer is kept safe at all times.

It’s important to note that it only offers basic protection, though, which is why I recommend opting for commercial solutions that can offer more advanced features to enhance your overall online security and provide multi-layered protection.

Confusingly, there’s also a product called Microsoft Defender, which is part of the paid Microsoft 365 subscription package.

Microsoft Defender Antivirus’ Performance

For an antivirus solution to receive high marks from me and my team, it needs to be able to perform well under testing.

This means pitting it against real-world threats like zero-day malware attacks, considering its impact on system performance, and looking at its usability and the frequency with which it incorrectly flags items as threats.

Here’s how Windows Security and Microsoft Defender Antivirus performed against the best antivirus software on the market under assessment by AV-Test.

Microsoft Defender Antivirus caught 98.9% to 99.2% of zero-day threats and prevalent malware, had limited system impact, and only issued one false warning under independent testing. These are good results, and the Windows firewall and real-time protection tools work as expected.

Is Microsoft Defender good enough? It’s a good start, but Microsoft Defender was beaten in terms of overall score by Bitdefender, Norton Antivirus, and McAfee, and all of the third-party tools in the table above beat it for malware protection – indicating that better protection is readily available.

What’s more, to fully take advantage of these features, you’ll need to stick to using Microsoft products. That means the Windows Security suite won’t protect you if you use Chrome instead of Edge as your default browser.

It also doesn’t offer as many features as third-party solutions, either. For example, the best antivirus solutions often come bundled with a VPN, a password manager, dark web monitoring, and identity theft protection to deliver comprehensive security.

Because of this, the best free antivirus solutions from third-party providers will often provide better solutions than Microsoft Defender, while paid plans offer even more protection. See our guide to the best antivirus with VPN features for recommendations.

Microsoft Defender Antivirus’ Security Features

Microsoft has worked hard over the years to improve the capabilities of Microsoft Defender Antivirus. It’s easy to use, and minimal setup is needed. You’ll have access to the following features with Windows’ Defender security center:

Microsoft Defender Real-Time Protection and Scans

Microsoft Defender Antivirus monitors your system continuously to look for suspicious activity and files, providing you with real-time protection against threats, including viruses and malware.

It scans files, programs, and network activity, and as soon as you open a file or program, Microsoft Defender Antivirus will check it for any signs of malicious activity.

The Windows antivirus includes:

• Full Scans – Checks all files and programs on your device
• Custom Scans – Scans specified files and folders
• Quick Scans – Checks the most commonly infected files and processes
• Microsoft Defender Offline Scans – Checks your machine offline and is useful in the event you’re already infected
• Individual File Scans – In File Explorer, right-click on an individual file or folder and select “Scan with Microsoft Defender” to check it for malware

If the Windows antivirus detects anything suspicious, it immediately alerts you of the issue. You’ll also get the option to take action by either quarantining the threat or completely removing it from your system.

Microsoft Defender Firewall Protection

Windows Security comes equipped with a firewall to help block unauthorized access to your computer. This enhances your overall network security and adds a layer of protection against anyone trying to hijack your system.

Microsoft Defender SmartScreen

This feature protects you from phishing sites and malicious downloads. It works by analyzing websites and file downloads in real time, essentially acting as a second firewall that blocks access to unsafe or suspicious content.

Controlled Folder Access

This Windows Security tool can keep important system folders and sensitive files safe by preventing unauthorized access, blocking hackers and ransomware.

You can also specify which folders to protect so that only trusted applications can make changes. This enables you to tailor protection to your specific needs.

Device Performance and Health

Other than monitoring your network and files, Windows Security also monitors the overall health of your computer. It offers recommendations and guidance on how to keep your system secure, inspecting storage, battery life, and apps and software.

Is Windows Security Enough?

So, is Windows Defender enough? The answer depends on your online habits and behavior. If you practice safe internet usage and avoid suspicious downloads and email attachments and ensuring your software remains up to date, then Microsoft Defender Antivirus may be enough.

Microsoft Defender Antivirus is completely free to use, so you have nothing to lose. If you have a Windows machine, it’s very likely to already be enabled and working.

Many antivirus solutions work alongside Windows Security, and having a second layer of security is never a bad idea, regardless of your internet habits.

Third-party solutions give you access to more advanced security features like phishing protection, identity theft protection, and a whole lot more. Some tests have also shown Windows Security has a chance of blocking legitimate software from working.

What You Won’t Get With Windows Security

Windows Security has a range of security features, but you’ll find it lacks some important features when compared to other antivirus solutions, including:

Virtual Private Network (VPN)

Many solutions bundle their antivirus packages with a VPN, which adds a layer of protection while you’re on the internet. Microsoft has yet to include this, however. The best VPNs are fantastic tools for security and privacy and often come with 256-bit AES encryption to protect your data and mask your IP address.

Password Manager

Password managers have become increasingly popular for managing online accounts. They can keep all your passwords in a secure location and auto-populate login pages, so you’ll never need to remember your passwords again.

The best password managers can generate strong, unique passwords for new accounts and keep them secure.

Dark Web Monitoring

Hackers use the dark web – which is only accessible with specialized software like Tor – to sell compromised data. If your details get leaked, it could have a devastating impact on your life.

That’s why it’s disappointing that Windows Security doesn’t offer data breach monitoring. This can detect if your data has been compromised or if there’s been an attempt to steal your identity before alerting you so you can take action. Early detection is a crucial step in preventing further damage being done.

Windows Security – Compatibility and Ease of Use

If you’re wondering how to set up Microsoft Defender Antivirus, there’s no need as it’s built-in, and there’s nothing you need to do – it runs in the background with no configuration or user interaction required.

Windows Security and the Microsoft Defender Antivirus are easy to use and are set to run and update automatically. If you install a third-party antivirus solution, Defender Antivirus will switch to inactive mode to prevent any potential conflicts or system impact.

The security suite is only available for Windows 10 and 11. On the other hand, Microsoft Defender, in the Microsoft 365 package, is available for Windows, Android, Mac, and iOS.

Best Practices for Using Windows Security

To get the most out of MS Defender, you should implement best practices for optimizing your computer security and take steps such as ensuring Windows is kept up to date with automatic updates and that scans are scheduled.

Other vital practices include a Windows Defender review to ensure all features are enabled. Turn on real-time protection, use the controlled folder access feature, enable SmartScreen, and ensure you use strong passwords. You might also consider using third-party solutions like a VPN for added security.

You should also use your own intuition. For example, if you receive an email with an attachment, it’s best not to download it unless you’re confident it’s safe. Also, try to avoid suspicious websites. If you find yourself on a site you don’t trust, run a scan immediately.

Alternatives to Microsoft Defender Antivirus aka Windows Defender

Let’s take a look at some of the best Microsoft Defender Antivirus alternatives. These are excellent options to pair up with Windows’ Defender as they have features the Microsoft antivirus software is missing.

These solutions have lots to offer, which makes them good choices for those looking for antivirus protection. Third-party antivirus solutions offer the ability to cover multiple devices on a single subscription, giving you more control over your device security while keeping all the required information in a central dashboard for easy monitoring.

The Microsoft Antivirus Defender only protects the device it’s on and can’t extend its capabilities to other devices, such as mobile phones or tablets. Because of this, it’s generally the weaker option in comparisons like Windows Defender vs McAfee.

For our recommendations for different operating systems, see our guides to the best antivirus for Android, the best antivirus for MacOS, and the best antivirus for Chromebook.

FAQs