We do, however, recommend running an anti-malware app like Malwarebytes in addition to whatever antivirus app you choose. What you use is up to you, but Windows Defender is not a bad choice (and has overcome most of its problems from a few years back). RELATED: How to Run Malwarebytes Alongside Another Antivirus Windows Defender also plays nicer with web browsers and other apps-respecting their security and privacy settings more than most other antivirus apps. It’s by far the most non-invasive app, handling things in the background whenever it can and not nagging you all the time.

It’s true that other antivirus apps-like BitDefender and Kaspersky-protect against more viruses in benchmarks.īut Windows Defender boasts some advantages, too.

And it’s pretty good, if something of a mixed bag. With Windows 8, the product was tidied up a bit, bundled with Windows, and renamed Windows Defender. Microsoft offered a standalone antivirus app named Microsoft Security Essentials in the days of Windows XP, Vista, and 7.

Windows defender antimalware