Is Windows Defender Good Enough in 2022? [Full Analysis]

Microsoft’s Windows Defender offers decent cloud-based malware detection for free — but before you decide whether to keep it, or to get a third party antivirus, these are the questions to ask.

1. Windows Defender can handle advanced malware like ransomware, spyware, and other types.
2. Is it fast enough for me to get rid of threats without slowing my computer down?
3. Is it sufficient to be used as a standalone antivirus? Or is there something better?

I spent several weeks testing Microsoft’s Defender as well as all the other top antivirus programs available. I ranked them on their malware detection rates, system performance and scan speeds. Customer support was also a major focus of my testing.

Microsoft Defender is not good enough, I can tell you that. There are many antivirus programs that are better than Microsoft Defender. Brands like Norton have more powerful malware scanners, better Windows apps and better cybersecurity protections.

Quick summary of the best alternatives to Microsoft Windows Defender in 2022:

• 1.🥇 Norton — Best antivirus alternative to Windows Defender in 2022.
• 2.🥈 Bitdefender — Better anti-malware engine with a lot of additional features.
• 3.🥉 TotalAV — Easier to use with better malware detection rates (and excellent PC tune-up).
• 4. McAfee — Better web protections (including a customizable firewall & Wi-Fi scanner).
• 5. Avira — Best free alternative with a more effective anti-malware scanner.

About Microsoft Defender Antivirus (aka Windows Defender)

Windows Defender is a great product, especially since Microsoft has spent a lot of time improving it over the years. It now includes:

• Real-time threat detection
• Network protection & Firewall.
• Protection from phishing sites
• Performance reports for the system.
• Hardware security
• Parental control

Microsoft Defender is quite good at detecting malware files and blocking network-based attacks and exploits, as well as flagging phishing websites. It also includes basic PC performance and health reports, parental controls, content filtering, usage limits, location tracking, and parental controls. Windows Defender now offers all these features so users can decide whether Defender is enough to protect their computers.

Is Microsoft’s Defender Antivirus Effective Enough?

Defender was subject to the same stringent tests I use for third-party antivirus software.

To test disk scanning and real-time protection, I downloaded approximately a thousand malware files, including trojans and ransomware as well as keyloggers and cryptojackers.

To assess Defender’s antiphishing capabilities, I navigated to numerous phishing websites using a variety of browsers. I also simulated exploits and network-based attacks to evaluate Microsoft’s firewall and network protections.

Apart from all this testing, I also measured CPU performance in various situations such as while running high-powered programs during disk scanning. Also, I tested every feature to determine its ease of use.

I ended up finding a lot of problems with Microsoft Defender. Here are my main complaints:

• Malware detection rate is lower than that of many third-party vendors
• Parental control is limited to Microsoft Edge.
• This main user interface is difficult to use and clunky.
• The system health report does not include performance tuning or system cleanup.
• Cross-platform support is not available (except for enterprise users).
• Does not have the additional tools that third-party antiviruses offer, such as a VPN, password manager or identity theft protection.

Microsoft Defender is now more competitive than ever with third-party internet security software suites. However, my tests have shown that it is still not up to the mark.

It’s not as good as dedicated antivirus programs like Bitdefender and Norton, which focus solely on protecting the computer from malware, blocking new threats to it, and optimizing overall performance.

You need to make sure your computer and online accounts are secure.

🥇1. Norton 360 — Best Antivirus Alternative to Microsoft’s Windows Defender in 2022

Norton 360 is superior to Windows Defender in all aspects — it has better malware detection rates, better internet protections and more coverage for more platforms.

Norton detected more malware files in my head-to-head test than Defender. Norton had a 100% success rate. Norton blocked several ransomware and spyware files that Defender failed to detect.

Defender is simply not able to compete when it comes internet security tools.

Norton 360includes

• More robust anti-phishing protection.
• Complete parental control.
• Additional features such as a virtual private network (VPN) and password manager
• and many more

Microsoft recently extended Defender’s web protections for third-party browsers such as Chrome and Firefox. However, in my testing Norton’s antiphishing protections caught significantly more suspicious websites than Defender. This includes malicious links in email and text messages.

Norton 360 has many additional features that Windows Defender does not have. This includes an excellent VPN that allows encrypted access to over 30+ servers across the globe, speeds up internet speeds, and removes geo-restrictions. Norton has a great password manager that includes all the basics, such as auto-saving, filling and biometric login. It also offers extras like a password autochanger, which is something only top password managers like LastPass and Dashlane have.

Norton 360is offered in a range of packages. Norton 360 Premium costs $19.99 per year and is an excellent choice for those who only need to protect one device. Norton 360 Deluxe costs $29.99 per year and covers 5 devices. It also includes parental controls that allow location tracking and the ability to block or schedule specific app usage. Norton 360 and LifeLock (US only), offers a $1,000,000 identity theft insurance policy. It starts at $69.99 per year. A specialized plan is available for PC gamers, which includes a game booster and performance optimizer for better gameplay.

Bottom line:

Norton 360 is the best Windows security software. It offers a significant improvement over Defender’s protections and a lot of additional features that Microsoft does not offer with its built-in antivirus. Norton is easier than Windows Defender and has different pricing plans to suit every budget. It also offers a generous 60 day money-back guarantee.

🥈2. Bitdefender — Better Cloud-Based Scanning Engine (with Excellent Additional Features)

Bitdefender is lightweight and fast. It also has a better cloud-based scanning engine that Microsoft Defender. This minimized the impact on my computer’s performance. Windows Defender, although partially cloud-based as well, still slows down my computer during scans.

Many users are reluctant to update to third-party antivirus software because they fear it will make their lives more difficult than Windows Defender’s automatic security protections. Bitdefender’s Autopilot feature analyzes your files and network to determine the best default protections. This is done seamlessly behind the scenes.

Bitdefender’s interface is great. It displays all Bitdefender features in one window. These are Bitdefender’s security features.

• Web protections that are better.
• Simpler interface.
• More parental controls.
• Additional tools such as VPN, webcam protection and PC tune-up.

Bitdefender offers the best web protection of any antivirus available. Bitdefender’s VPN is very fast and provides faster connections than many standalone VPNs. This is why Bitdefender is ranked among the top antiviruses that use a VPN. Parental controls are excellent. They allow you to limit app usage, filter online content, and alert you when your children leave a certain area.

There are many antivirus packages available, but Bitdefender’s premium total security package, which includes Windows, macOS and Android protection, costs only $36.00 per year. Bitdefender also offers less-expensive antivirus packages starting at $23.99/year. They are cheaper than many competitors, but still provide excellent protection. Bitdefender’s Premium Security suite is for you. It includes all the premium features and a VPN that doesn’t limit your data. This package costs $69.99 per year.

Bottom line:

Bitdefender’s cloud-based antimalware scanner is powerful and can detect malware at a high rate. It also offers a lot of internet security features that complement Microsoft’s basic protections. Bitdefender offers anti-phishing, parental controls, password management, system tuneup tools and many other features all within a simple and well-designed dashboard. Every plan comes with a 30-day money back guarantee.

🥉3. TotalAV — Easier to Use (with Great Performance Optimization Tools)

TotalAV is more reliable than Microsoft’s Windows Defender and has a much simpler interface. It detected and removed more than 98% of the malware I downloaded to my virtual computer. This includes sophisticated malware files such as ransomware or cryptojackers, which Windows Defender failed to detect.

It was also very easy to use and access all of TotalAV’s functionalities and features. The dashboard is intuitive, easier to navigate and more user-friendly than Windows Defender. TotalAV is a great choice for users who are not tech-savvy.

TotalAV includes some great extra features that Windows does not include in its builtin protections, including a VPN and system tuneup tools as well as identity theft protection.

The system cleanup tools are among the best available on the market. They include tons of useful features like a junk remover, an application uninstaller and startup manager. All of these features were available in one convenient window. I was able quickly to restore my nephew’s Acer laptop from backup in just minutes.

Although the identity theft protection is excellent, it only covers US users (like Norton). McAfee, which offers coverage in many other countries, such as Canada, Australia, Japan and NZ, has a wider range of locations. This feature is not available with the company’s premium Total Security plans, which cost $49.00 per year. Users looking for a cheaper option can choose TotalAV Pro ($29.00/year) or Internet Security ($39.00/year), both of which offer a great set of features at a reasonable price.

Bottom line:

TotalAV is easier to use than Windows Defender. It also comes with great malware protection and PC optimization tools that will improve your device’s performance. TotalAV’s premium identity protection is also a great feature. However, it is only available to those who have purchased the Total Security plan. TotalAV comes with a 30-day guarantee.

4. McAfee — Better Web Protections (with Data Cleanup Tools)

McAfee Total Protection offers superior web protection and network security than Windows Defender. Its web protections prevented me from accessing phishing sites that were verified — better than Microsoft Edge’s built in browser protections.

Its malware scanner, which outperforms Windows’s antivirus, is also one the best on the marketplace. It caught 99% of nearly 1,000 malware files on my computer.

McAfee is also a vast improvement on the built-in protections that Windows 10 offers — it has:

• Advanced firewall.
• Wi Fi security scanner.
• VPN (virtual private networks).
• System optimization.
• Personal Data Cleanup Tool.

Windows Defender comes with a decent built-in firewall. However, McAfee Smart Firewall offers a lot more options than Defender. McAfee’s firewall can be activated using Smart Access to analyze any incoming or outgoing threats. You can also activate Stealth Mode to hide your computer on public networks. Lockdown is available in an emergency to stop all traffic to your computer.

A Wi-Fi scanner is also available that scans your network and displays information about which devices are currently connected to your Wi-Fi network. Wi-Fi scanner also provides notifications for new users trying to access your network. McAfee’s VPN can be used for streaming and is secure. However, it’s slower than Bitdefender.

McAfee also offers a personal data cleaning service that guides you in removing personal data from data brokers that are selling your information for profit. This is a feature that not only does Windows Defender offer, but many other antiviruses do not.

McAfee total protection starts at $49.99 per year. It is available for 1, 5, and 10 devices. It offers very affordable 2-year subscriptions that are about the same price as other antiviruses’ 1-year plans.

Bottom line:

McAfee is an excellent anti-malware tool with many internet security extras. Smart Firewall and Wi-Fi scanner are far better than Microsoft’s. McAfee is a better choice than Windows Defender because it offers system optimization and personal data cleanup tools. McAfee Total Protectionis one of the most valuable antiviruses currently on the market. It offers a 2-year subscription plan at a fraction of the cost of many 1-year plans. McAfee offers a 30-day money back guarantee on all plans.

5. Avira — More (and Better) Free Features

Avira Windows Security Free offers strong anti-malware scanning, tons of high-quality additional features, and is one of the most popular Windows antiviruses.

The cloud-based malware scanner detected 100% of the malware samples on my device during my tests. This is far superior to Windows Defender.

Avira’s free antivirus also offers features that Windows’s antivirus does not offer, such as:

• Safe Shopping browser extension.
• Free VPN with 500 MB per month
• Additionals such as password manager & performance optimization tools.

The Safe Shopping browser extension is a great choice. It blocks intrusive ads, web trackers, and phishing websites. It outperforms Windows Defender’s SafeScreen in terms of security, convenience, and speed.

Avira, like TotalAV has excellent system optimization tools. However, the free version only provides basic cleanup tools.

Although the VPN is quite good, it is not free. The 500MB data limit per month is too small to allow you to check your email. Avira Prime is a VPN that offers unlimited browsing data, system optimization and mobile protections. It costs $59.99 per year and covers up to five users on all operating systems.

Bottom line:

Avira’s real-time malware detection and scanning engine outperformed Microsoft Defender in my tests – it’s my favorite alternative to Defender. Avira’s paid plans, particularly Avira Prime ,, offer unlimited data, advanced system tuning, and coverage for up 5 devices. Avira Prime comes with a 60-day guarantee.

6. Kaspersky — More Advanced Parental Controls + Good Financial Protections

Kaspersky is a great malware scanner with web protections that are better than Defender. Kaspersky’s malware protection ranks among the best on the market and detects malware faster than most competitors including Microsoft’s Windows Defender. Kaspersky was slower than Defender and caused some issues with virus scans.

Kaspersky, on the other hand, has excellent parental controls. Kaspersky ranks with Defender, Bitdefender and McAfee as the best antiviruses with parental control. Parental controls include device limits, online content filters (including YouTube filtering for Android) and geo-fencing to make sure your children stay in a safe zone.

The Safe Money browser offers financial protections. This feature provides a secure browser window and an onscreen keyboard to facilitate secure online transactions. It’s simple and useful and can be used to enhance online privacy.

Kaspersky offers web protections that aren’t part of Windows Defender. These include a password manager, and a VPN with 200 MB/day data limits.

Kaspersky Internet Security (from $29.99 /year) and Kaspersky Anti-Virus (39.99 /year) are decent plans that cover up to five users. However, families who want good parental controls should upgrade to Kaspersky Total Security ($59.95 /year), which provides parental controls and a password manager for up 10 devices.

Bottom line:

Kaspersky, a fully-featured antivirus suite, has a much better malware scanner than Microsoft Defender and a lot of useful security tools. Kaspersky’s parental controls, financial protections, password manager, and secure financial protections are all excellent. Kaspersky did cause some slowdowns for me. Kaspersky offers a 30-day money back guarantee on all plans.

7. Panda — More Extras (and Flexible Pricing)

Panda Dominion is an anti-malware tool that detects malware more accurately than Windows Defender. However, it misses some ransomware and adware files that other programs like Norton catch.

Panda offers a lot more features than Windows’s antivirus, such as a VPN. It uses Hotspot Shield’s VPN technology for fast and encrypted internet access to over 20 servers around the world.

Panda also offers:

• Virtual keyboard (to protect against keyloggers).
• File shredder (to delete files permanently and prevent them from being recovered).
• File encryption.
• Tools to Clean Up Your PC.
• Anti-theft Tools (for Windows, Android and iOS devices).
• Rescue Kit (removes malicious software from blocked computers).

Panda’s Rescue Kit is something I love. It’s a bootable version that you can save to a USB thumbdrive. The Rescue Kit can be used to restart a computer in the event of malware infections. Panda’s Rescue Kit is not available in Defender or any other antiviruses.

Panda offers five different plans, including a free plan for those on a tight budget. Paid plans start at $28.49/year and offer monthly, annual, 2-year and 3-year subscription options for 1, 3, 5, 10 or unlimited devices.

Bottom line:

Panda Domeis a great antivirus scanner that offers a simple interface and decent additional features. It also has a 30-day money back guarantee.

8. Malwarebytes — Good Anti-Malware Protection for Budget Users

Malwarebytes provides advanced protection against a wide variety of malware threats including zero-day attacks, ransomware, and ransomware.

Malwarebytes’ dashboard is much easier than Defender’s. This is normal, however — Malwarebytes’ dashboard doesn’t have any additional features, except an automatic anti-phishing filter that works better than Microsoft’s built in protections.

Malwarebytes now provides a secure VPN to provide additional privacy online. It’s quite good and encrypted access to servers all over the world. However, it was slower than Bitdefender’s VPN during my testing.

Malwarebytes provides on-demand disk scanning but no real-time protection. I don’t recommend it and Malwarebytes premium costs only $39.99 per year. Malwarebytes Premium+ Privacy plan, which provides malware protection and secure VPN access for $99.99/year, is also available.

Bottom line:

Malwarebytes offers excellent malware protection and antiphishing controls. However, is not as good as McAfeff and Norton. The bundled VPN is also quite good. Malwarebytes offers a 30-day money back guarantee.

9. Trend Micro — Good Phishing Protection

Trend Micro has some significant improvements over Microsoft’s built in protections. It caught around the same amount malware as Microsoft Windows Defender, and provided fast disk scans and lightweight real time protection.

Trend Micro’s Anti-Phishing Protections are also a great choice. They provide color-coded rankings to Google search results and block any untrue links in emails, texts, or pop-up ads.

These internet security features are excellent, but Trend Micro’s parental controls aren’t nearly as effective as those offered by McAfee and Norton.

Trend Micro offers four plans. Antivirus+ Safety ($19.95/year) provides real-time protection, antiphishing and an email scam filter for one PC. Internet Security ($39.95/year) includes parental controls and system tuning for three PCs. Maximum security ($49.95/year) includes password management for 5 computers, Androids and iOS devices. Premium security Suite ($59.95/year) adds dark Web monitoring, priority support, as well as the VPN for up 10 devices.

Bottom line:

Trend micro offers high malware detection rates and great anti-phishing protection. However, I was not impressed by its parental controls or VPN. All Trend Micro plans come with a 30-day guarantee.

10. BullGuard — Better Performance for Gamers

BullGuard is a powerful anti-malware tool that’s easy to use and has some cool perks for PC gamers. However, BullGuard’s detection rate against zero-day attacks is higher than Microsoft’s Defender.

BullGuard’s game booster is very effective. It suspends notifications and scans while you are gaming and reallocates system resources across multiple-core processors. This allows your CPU to run your games as efficiently as possible. This game booster greatly increased my frame rate, load times and performance across many games. Defender, on the other hand, doesn’t offer any gaming mode and can interrupt gaming (and often does) with scans and notifications. While I love BullGuard’s Game Booster, Norton is a better internet security suite for gamers. (Norton was also our top-ranked Gaming Antivirus in 2022).

BullGuard’s VPN service is excellent, however, it is a bit disappointing that it is not available as an extra subscription even for the highest-tier plans. Most of the competitors on this list offer VPNs in all their plans.

BullGuard is affordable and offers the game booster along with all three of its antivirus programs. Plans start at $9.99 per year and include some helpful extras, which is less than many other antiviruses.

Bottom line:

BullGuard offers advanced anti-malware protection, a good game booster for PC gamers, and the VPN is available only as an additional purchase. BullGuard Premium plans come with a 30-day money back guarantee.

How to Choose the Best Windows Defender Alternative in 2022:

• • More malware protection. Although Windows Defender is an excellent antivirus, it has lower malware detection rates and provides better real-time protection.
  • More security features. Windows Defender still lacks many of its top-brand features like Bitdefender and Norton, such as a password manager, parental controls, cloud storage and system optimization tools.
  • Easy to use. I have found that all of the antiviruses on this list are simple to set up and navigate. All of their features are easy to use and intuitive, even for first-time or new users.
  • Cross-platform support. Windows Defender is limited to Windows devices. The antiviruses listed here offer coverage for all major operating systems including Android, iOS, Mac and Windows.
  • Total value. Windows Defender comes free. However, cybersecurity is a matter of getting what you pay for. Some of the best antiviruses, such as Norton, Bitdefender and TotalAV, offer low-cost payment plans with risk-free money back guarantees. Avira, however, offers completely free (but limited) versions for Windows.

  Top Brands that Didn’t Make it to the Cut

  • Avast/AVG. Avast, who also owns AVG, is one of the most widely used free antiviruses. Many Windows users have downloaded it to replace Windows Defender. Avast antivirus software has serious privacy issues. Avast’s parent company was found selling browsing data (and sometimes personal information) to people who used their antivirus software. This is the problem with free antiviruses: you always have to pay for something.
  • Quick Heal. Fast Heal is a decent program. Its virus protection abilities are comparable to Windows Defender and there’s a wide variety of internet security packages you can choose from. Despite this, I find these packages to be too expensive for the value they provide. However, all of the products in this list are better.
  • ESET.ESET is a well-known brand in the antivirus industry. Its antivirus engine is powerful, efficient, and high-powered. The antivirus package comes with many useless add-ons. They are essentially just a waste of space. There are better options.

Is Windows Defender enough to stay protected?

It all depends on what you mean when you say “enough”. Windows Defender provides some good cybersecurity protection but isn’t as effective as premium antivirus software.

Microsoft’s Windows Defender will suffice if you are looking for basic cybersecurity protection. If you have sensitive information such as login details, banking information, or private files, then Windows Defender is not enough. Windows’s antivirus has serious issues in online security, multi-device defense, poor quality updates, and malware protection. My analysis of Defender’s security offering can be found here.

Windows Defender can remove malware

Yes. Windows Defender will remove malware from your computer if it detects it. The newest malware will not be detected because Microsoft doesn’t regularly update Defender’s virus definitions. Your entire computer is at risk if you rely on Windows Defender for your antivirus.

There are many better anti-malware programs out there. However, there is no free one that can provide the same level of protection as the top antivirus software. A premium antivirus such as Bitdefender or Norton is better for you if you want to protect your computer from malware and provide internet security tools.

Is Windows equipped with phishing protection?

Mostly, yes. Microsoft SmartScreen was created to protect Microsoft Edge users against a variety of cyber threats online, including phishing emails, malicious websites, and attempts to steal personal information.

The SmartScreen browser extension is not recommended if you use a different browser than Chrome or Firefox. It doesn’t detect phishing sites nearly as accurately as Google’s and Mozilla’s built in detection.

McAfee offers superior phishing detection on all major browsers. It also provides Wi-Fi security and a “Smart Firewall” to protect your browsing.

Is Windows Defender free?

Yes. Windows Defender automatically installs on all computers that have Windows 7, Windows 8, or Windows 10.

There are better Windows antiviruses than there are, but again, no free antivirus will provide the same level of protection as a premium antivirus.

Do I need to replace Windows Defender by another antivirus?

Microsoft’s Windows Defender comes closer than ever to competing with third party internet security suites. However, it is still far from being as good as its predecessors. It often fails to detect malware at a rate that is comparable to top antivirus companies. Defender’s system performance is poorer than other third-party antiviruses. Its scans are slower and cause more downtime. Defender’s security features are severely lacking.

While Windows Defender is a better standalone antivirus than none at all, it still leaves you open to malware, ransomware and spyware that could leave you in total ruin in the event you are attacked.

I suggest one of these options:

• Option 1: Use a free antivirus program to replace Microsoft Windows Defender. There are some free antivirus products that offer significantly better protection than Defender if you have a tight budget. Avira’s free antivirus is my favorite. It’s important to keep in mind that free antiviruses come with limitations that premium ones don’t.
• Option 2: Increase your protection by using a premium antivirus. Windows Defender has been repeatedly exposed to ransomware and malware. No free antivirus can offer 100% protection. You don’t have to spend a lot to protect your computer and keep it safe. However, investing just a few dollars a month in premium internet security software is the best way to ensure your cybersecurity.

Windows Defender is better than free antivirus software

Windows Defender is superior to most free antiviruses. This is especially true when you consider the cloud-based malware detection and sandboxing tools that Windows Defender offers — features that aren’t available with many other free antivirus programs.

There are other free antiviruses than Windows Defender that offer better usability and performance.

However, Windows Defender and good free antiviruses are not as effective as premium antivirus suites that offer full cybersecurity protection for a small monthly fee. When compared to Windows Defender and other free antivirus programs, premium antiviruses such as Bitdefender and Norton score much higher in terms both of overall protection and value.

Can Windows Defender be used with another antivirus?

It is possible, but I don’t recommend it. Windows Defender can interfere with third-party antivirus software. This could hinder the software’s ability scan for and detect malware.

Windows Defender can be used in conjunction with another antivirus program to provide additional protection. However, I recommend that you choose a trusted antivirus that provides complete Windows protection. To prevent conflicts between the malware scanning modules of Windows Defender and your antivirus program.

Windows Defender will disable Windows Defender in almost all cases when you install a third party antivirus. This can either put it into passive mode, or disable its protections completely. It is important to ensure that Windows Defender’s protections have been disabled after installing a third-party antivirus such as Bitdefender or Norton.

How do I disable Windows Defender?

In order to ensure that your new antivirus runs properly, disable Windows Defender. This will prevent any conflicts between the two scanning engines.

• Step 1 :Click on the Start Button and choose the Windows Security Tab. Then click on Virus and threat protection.
• Step 2 – Locate and select Manage Settings (found under the Viral & Threat Protection Settingsheading).
• Step 3 – Turn off real-time security by clicking the toggle switch to Off. If you have an alternative trusted antivirus with real time protection, it is fine to ignore this message.

Windows Defender will be removed. Other options will be available, including Cloud delivered protection and Automated sample submission. These settings can be switched to Off or, but they won’t affect the performance of your antivirus software, as Windows Defender’s real time protection has been disabled.