- Microsoft has a new post on the Windows Learning Center
- It asks, “Do you still need third-party antivirus in 2026?”
- The bottom line is that Windows 11’s built-in protection should be fine for most people, but situationally you might want to consider an alternative
Have you ever wondered if Microsoft Defender can protect your PC from every malware lurking out there? You are not alone and Microsoft has just addressed this issue.
Windows Recently noticed that Microsoft has a new post on its Windows Learning Center advising people on the topic of the best antivirus software and whether the default setting in Windows 11 is good enough.
The key question regarding the latter point comes later in the article, where Microsoft asks, “Do you still need third-party antivirus in 2026?”
The article continues below
The answer is clear enough: “For many Windows 11 users, Microsoft Defender Antivirus covers everyday risks without requiring additional software. The choice to add third-party antivirus depends on how you use your PC and what features you value.”
Microsoft elaborates that Defender antivirus is “usually sufficient when Windows 11 is running with standard protection enabled, updates are installed regularly, and software downloads are deliberate”.
The company also notes that SmartScreen also plays a role in protecting the average Windows 11 PC, and that the coverage provided by this feature plus Defender should be fine, with the caveats noted.
Situationally, where you might want to consider installing a third-party antivirus or security suite is if you share devices with other family members who might not be as careful as you (or indeed, you might want to manage multiple family devices across a dashboard).
Microsoft further notes that you’ll need a standalone solution if you “want services like identity monitoring or parental controls” that aren’t provided by Defender.
Analysis: I don’t think Microsoft is wrong here
What Microsoft is basically saying is that for most people, certainly individual PC owners, Windows 11’s built-in antivirus should be just fine. It’s mainly family scenarios where you might want the ability to control internet access for your kids, where you’ll need to look for something more comprehensive in the way of a security suite.
Is Microsoft correct in claiming that Defender works well for everyday users? I would say that yes it is. There was a time in the past when Defender wasn’t much thought of, but Microsoft has come a long way since then, and relying on Windows 11’s default antivirus isn’t a risky proposition these days.
It covers the basics and keeps you safe from malware, although as Microsoft notes, there are other pieces to the puzzle when it comes to ensuring your PC isn’t compromised. That includes applying regular updates (for Windows 11 and other apps) and a reasonable amount of caution about what you download to your system (don’t underestimate the importance of the latter).
No, Microsoft Defender doesn’t offer the best antivirus protection, but it’s good enough. However, those are just the basics, and other security solutions offer much more in terms of features, some of which may be valuable to you.
The other advantage of Defender is that because it’s already there in Windows 11, it sits nicely in the background – updating itself as and when – and the app doesn’t require a separate installation (and uses little resources).
That said, even if you don’t want to pay for an antivirus, there are still relatively lightweight free antivirus apps from major vendors that slightly outperform Microsoft Defender in terms of malware protection (based on independent tests). However, the days when the Defender lagged significantly behind these safety top dogs are well and truly in hindsight.
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