For most people using a supported and fully updated Windows 11 computer, yes: Microsoft Defender Antivirus and the other protections inside Windows Security are sufficient as the primary antivirus.

Learn how BitLocker, passkeys, Microsoft Defender, and other Windows 11 security features protect your data, accounts, apps, ...

Dianna Gunn built her first WordPress website in 2008. Since then, she's poured thousands of hours into understanding how websites and online businesses work. She's shared what she's learned on blogs ...

Microsoft Defender is good now, but I still treat it like a simple lock instead of a full security system. Marshall Gunnell is a Tokyo-based tech journalist and editor with over a decade of experience ...

Microsoft Defender isn't enough to fully protect your PC. You don't have to pay extra, though—just use one of the top free antivirus apps we've tested.

Best Antivirus Best Antivirus Software for Windows PCs in 2026 Discover the highest ranked antivirus programs for Windows 10 and 11. See whether you need to save or splurge to protect your device, ...

Microsoft Defender Antivirus is 99% effective at blocking threats. Data suggests most infections are due to user behavior. Businesses need specialized endpoint security software. Last April, someone ...

Fortunately, as online threats become ever more sophisticated, so do Internet users' means of defense. As a PR Newswire press release put it in February 2026, "according to industry consultancy firm ...