Share via

Is Windows Defender Enough or Should I Install Another Antivirus?

Anonymous
2025-06-06T10:43:31+00:00

Hi everyone,

I’m using a Windows laptop, and I’ve noticed that Microsoft includes Windows Defender as built-in antivirus protection. I’m wondering if that’s enough to keep my system safe, or if I should install another antivirus program along with it.
Has anyone else faced this question or thought about switching to another antivirus instead of relying on Microsoft’s Defender?

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts and experiences. Thanks!

***Moved from Access***

Microsoft 365 and Office | Microsoft 365 Defender | For home | Windows

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments

Answer accepted by question author

  1. Anonymous
    2025-06-06T11:09:08+00:00

    You should never install multiple antiviruses on a PC.

    Defender is fine as an antivirus (no need for anything else on that front), but it doesn't protect again adware, malware, ... So you should look into anti-malware protection. Perhaps simply use the free version of Malwarebytes and do manual scans like once a week, but there are tons more on the market.

    I also like things like SpywareBlaster to harden your browsers.

    Lastly, your best line of defense will always be a good backup plan so should the worse ever happen you are in a position to quickly and easily recover your data!!!

    As a side note, based on my experiences I recommend staying away from Norton, Avast, AVG....

    As a second side note, you've posted your question in a Microsoft Access database forum. To get the help you seek you should repost it in a more appropriate forum.

    6 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments

2 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2025-06-07T04:33:09+00:00

    I believe Windows defender is quite enough for personal daily use. One of the most important reasons is that it runs TPM protection which can provide protection at hardware level! However, attcks such as wannacry are also an unpredictable threat, keep windows update open and have a safe browsing habit are essential.

    3 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2025-07-08T14:10:09+00:00

    Upon a recommendation from a friend that works in IT, I switched from Defender to Malwarebytes Premium. A week or so ago I decided to run a manual full Defender scan. It picked up a trojan that Malwarebytes had missed for a year+. Needless to say, I immediately switched back to Defender. I will take Daniel's advice and run Malwarebyte's once a week or so, but Defender is my go-to.

    0 comments