Is Windows 10's Defender any good?

[MasterGoa]

So this is my first try with 10, and else some tweaking, it's pretty nice.

Having said this, Windows Defender seems very complete, but is it good?

They continue to improve it, wondering if I need another AV?

[Mahjik]

It's decent. You just need to decide "how much" protection you need or want. Are the pay products better? Yes. Better enough to justify the costs? Just depends on how much protection you want.

[wazman]

I've used it for years and it's never let me down. Of course, I'm more careful than the average user, but even so, it's been years since I've felt the need to have something more.

[MasterGoa]

Thanks for the feedback.

It will mostly spends it's time on Youtube, Vimeo and play blurays and music, so I guess it will be fine
(HTPC)

[howard stern]

I have noticed over the last year defender has improved but they always seem to have lots of false positives. Check out the link.

https://www.av-comparatives.org/test...019-factsheet/

[andino]

Yeah, my HTPC's just have windows defender. If you aren't downloading anything on them then windows defender is fine.

[Nagorak]

One thing you might look into is whether your internet provider offers you a free anti virus software subscription. I know that Cox offers a free McAfee subscription for up to like 5 machines. It's all I've used for years.

[Talon_262]

One thing you might look into is whether your internet provider offers you a free anti virus software subscription. I know that Cox offers a free McAfee subscription for up to like 5 machines. It's all I've used for years.

Likewise, Comcast/xFinity includes Norton Internet Security, PC or Mac, gratis with your Internet service.

[MasterGoa]

I actually have no idea... Hmmm.....

EDIT: I just checked and yeah, I remember I tried it. It's Bitdefender, but when I tried it, back in 2015, it was a total resource hog.
So I went back to Norton as my main AV. Norton after 2014 became quite good and light.

[Nascar24]

I have been using Windows Defender with Malwarebytes for a while without issues. I can use the free Norton from Comcast but have had issues at times with it so I just decided to stick with Defender.

[nutcrackr]

I've only been running defender for years.

I should probably install some anti-virus and just run them from time to time.

[Exposed]

I consider Norton / McAffe and any other third party av software bloatware at this point. Windows Defender is all that's needed and does as good a job.

It does report false positives on cracks though. So if you like to run pirated software, chances are it will detect and try to remove the cracks or methods behind them. Which you can tell it to ignore of course.

[Seyiji]

I consider Norton / McAffe and any other third party av software bloatware at this point. Windows Defender is all that's needed and does as good a job.

It does report false positives on cracks though. So if you like to run pirated software, chances are it will detect and try to remove the cracks or methods behind them. Which you can tell it to ignore of course.

Lies!

[Munkus]

I consider Norton / McAffe and any other third party av software bloatware at this point. Windows Defender is all that's needed and does as good a job.

It does report false positives on cracks though. So if you like to run pirated software, chances are it will detect and try to remove the cracks or methods behind them. Which you can tell it to ignore of course.

We would NEVER do that though. Right guys? Right?

[Munkus]

BTW I only use Windows Defender for anti-virus, but I also run a Malwarebytes scan once a week or so. AFAIK, Defender doesn't catch malware and Malwarebytes doesn't catch viruses.

[Loser-P]

It's fine I guess. AV tests I've seen recently say that Defender's main issue is too many false positives which I don't mind. Personally I feel like antivirus software is next to useless now a days anyways.

Considering the number of news stories I hear about where an update to Windows breaking some 3rd party AV in a way that causes the system to not boot I'd rather just avoid them.

I'm sure some people would say well Windows updates shouldn't be breaking things. I say these AV's shouldn't be hooking into the kernel in a way that causes them to break when something changes.

You could also argue that the security updates Windows gets protect you more than these AVs do now.