Is Windows Defender adequate enough for overall security protection?


J

jimhow4545

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Wind 11 Pro 24H2 (Dev Channel)/23H2Beta (offline)
I have premium malwarebyte and free advast running and wondering if these are necessary.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Wind 11 Pro 24H2 (Dev Channel)/23H2Beta (offline)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    DELL T7500
    CPU
    2 Intel Xeon 5680
    Memory
    120 Gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI(Nvidia) GeForce GTX 970
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell S2719DGF
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1440 (155Hz)
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 2TB 870 (24H2 Device)
    Samsung 1TB 860 (23H2 Beta)
    PSU
    Dell 1100W
    Antivirus
    Premium Malwarebyte, AdwCleaner (Malwarebyte)
I asked the same question for a relative a while ago, there are some good answers in this thread that would answer YES to your question regarding Microsoft Defender being adequate:

What does Windows Defender lack, what can’t it do?

Halo. I have a friend that has no money and cannot renew their antivirus Software. (Norton 360) Normally I would just buy it for him as I buy software for other friends but this person is broke due to a fetish with tattoos and as a result his family goes without. I will not invest in his...
www.elevenforum.com www.elevenforum.com

Malwarebytes was mentioned a bit, being a positive inclusion to run side by side with Microsoft Defender.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 Build 22631.5624
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Sin-built
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4770K CPU @ 3.50GHz (4th Gen?)
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VI Formula
    Memory
    32.0 GB of I forget and the box is in storage.
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte nVidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super OC 6GB
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    5 x LG 25MS500-B - 1 x 24MK430H-B - 1 x Wacom Pro 22" Tablet
    Screen Resolution
    All over the place
    Hard Drives
    Too many to list.
    OS on Samsung 1TB 870 QVO SATA
    PSU
    Silverstone 1500
    Case
    NZXT Phantom 820 Full-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15 Elite Class Dual Tower CPU Cooler / 6 x EziDIY 120mm / 2 x Corsair 140mm somethings / 1 x 140mm Thermaltake something / 2 x 200mm Corsair.
    Keyboard
    Corsair K95 / Logitech diNovo Edge Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech: G402 / G502 / Mx Masters / MX Air Cordless
    Internet Speed
    1000/400Mbps
    Browser
    All sorts
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky Premium
    Other Info
    I’m on a horse.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 Build: 22631.4249
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    LENOVO Yoga 7i EVO OLED 14" Touchscreen i5 12 Core 16GB/512GB
    CPU
    Intel Core 12th Gen i5-1240P Processor (1.7 - 4.4GHz)
    Memory
    16GB LPDDR5 RAM
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe Graphics Processor
    Sound Card
    Optimized with Dolby Atmos®
    Screen Resolution
    QHD 2880 x 1800 OLED
    Hard Drives
    M.2 512GB
    Antivirus
    Defender / Malwarebytes
    Other Info
    …still on a horse.

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS ROG Strix
  • Operating System
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS VivoBook
Defender and MWB Premium run great together. It's all you need. The AV part of Avast has always been quite good. But they stack too much other stuff on so I'm not a fan of it anymore. It uses a lot of resources. If you decide to shuck Avast, I suggest you use its removal tool in safe mode.

Using the Avast Uninstall Tool | Official Avast Support

Instructions to use the Avast Uninstall Tool on Windows.
support.avast.com support.avast.com
Then restart. Both MWB premium and Defender should be active in task manager. You may have to go iinto Windows Security and turn on Defender. If you can't turn it on, go in to MWB settings and toggle off "Always register Malwarebytes with Windows Security Center."
Restart again. That should allow you to turn on Defender to run alongside MWB.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26100.4652
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    2x1tb Solidigm m.2 nvme /External drives 512gb Samsung m.2 sata+2tb Kingston m2.nvme
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    #1 Edge #2 Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26100.4061
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Beelink Mini PC SER5
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 6800U
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics card(s)
    integrated
    Sound Card
    integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Crucial nvme
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    still too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    System 3 is non compliant Dell 9020 i7-4770/24gb ram Win11 PRO 26100.4061
Thanks. Another question. Why WD is disabled when running 3rd party anti-virus software like malwarebyte or advast?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Wind 11 Pro 24H2 (Dev Channel)/23H2Beta (offline)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    DELL T7500
    CPU
    2 Intel Xeon 5680
    Memory
    120 Gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI(Nvidia) GeForce GTX 970
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell S2719DGF
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1440 (155Hz)
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 2TB 870 (24H2 Device)
    Samsung 1TB 860 (23H2 Beta)
    PSU
    Dell 1100W
    Antivirus
    Premium Malwarebyte, AdwCleaner (Malwarebyte)
jimhow4545 said:
Thanks. Another question. Why WD is disabled when running 3rd party anti-virus software like malwarebyte or advast?
Click to expand...

To prevent conflicts. Also don't want/need two AV apps running at once.

Also found this review.

www.safetydetectives.com

Is Windows Defender Good Enough in 2025? Full Guide

Windows Defender offers some great features, but is it enough to keep you protected? I compared it with top competitors on the market, and here are my results.
www.safetydetectives.com www.safetydetectives.com

The review summarised issues with WD.
  • Malware detection rates are lower than many third-party competitors (especially when offline).
  • Content filters are limited to the Microsoft Edge browser.
  • The main user interface is clunky and hard to navigate.
  • PC system health report is basic (no performance-boosting or system cleanup).
  • Lacks additional tools that third-party antiviruses have, like anti-theft protections and a password manager.
  • Ransomware protections are intrusive and turned off by default.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 Beta Insider Channel
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Homebuilt
    CPU
    Intel Core i9 13900K
    Motherboard
    Asus ProArt Z790 Creator WiFi - Bios 2703
    Memory
    Corsair Dominator Platinum 64gb 5600MT/s DDR5 Dual Channel
    Graphics Card(s)
    Sapphire NITRO+ AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX Vapor-X 24GB
    Sound Card
    External DAC - Headphone Amplifier: Cambridge Audio DACMagic200M
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Panasonic MX950 Mini LED 55" TV 120hz
    Screen Resolution
    3840 x 2160 120hz
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 980 Pro 2TB (OS)
    Samsung 980 Pro 1TB (Files)
    Lexar NZ790 4TB
    LaCie d2 Professional 6TB external - USB 3.1
    Seagate One Touch 18TB external HD - USB 3.0
    PSU
    Corsair RM1200x Shift
    Case
    Corsair RGB Smart Case 5000x (white)
    Cooling
    Corsair iCue H150i Elite Capellix XT
    Keyboard
    Logitech K860
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3S
    Internet Speed
    Fibre 900/500 Mbps
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge Chromium
    Antivirus
    Bitdefender Total Security
    Other Info
    AMD Radeon Software & Drivers 25.5.1
    AOMEI Backupper Pro
    Dashlane password manager
    Logitech Brio 4K Webcam
    Orico 10-port powered USB 3.0 hub
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Asus Vivobook X1605VA
    CPU
    Intel® Core™ i9-13900H
    Motherboard
    Asus X1605VA bios 309
    Memory
    32GB DDR4-3200 Dual channel
    Graphics card(s)
    *Intel Iris Xᵉ Graphics G7
    Sound Card
    Realtek | Intel SST Bluetooth & USB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    16.0-inch, WUXGA 16:10 aspect ratio, IPS-level Panel
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1200 60hz
    Hard Drives
    512GB M.2 NVMe™ PCIe® 3.0 SSD
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Ergo Trackball
    Antivirus
    Bitdefender Total Security
    Other Info
    720p Webcam
    WiFi & USB to ethernet
glasskuter said:
Defender and MWB Premium run great together. It's all you need. The AV part of Avast has always been quite good. But they stack too much other stuff on so I'm not a fan of it anymore. It uses a lot of resources. If you decide to shuck Avast, I suggest you use its removal tool in safe mode.

Using the Avast Uninstall Tool | Official Avast Support

Instructions to use the Avast Uninstall Tool on Windows.
support.avast.com support.avast.com
Then restart. Both MWB premium and Defender should be active in task manager. You may have to go iinto Windows Security and turn on Defender. If you can't turn it on, go in to MWB settings and toggle off "Always register Malwarebytes with Windows Security Center."
Restart again. That should allow you to turn on Defender to run alongside MWB.
Click to expand...
Thanks. I am going to uninstall AV per your recommendation and run MWN and WD.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Wind 11 Pro 24H2 (Dev Channel)/23H2Beta (offline)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    DELL T7500
    CPU
    2 Intel Xeon 5680
    Memory
    120 Gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI(Nvidia) GeForce GTX 970
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell S2719DGF
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1440 (155Hz)
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 2TB 870 (24H2 Device)
    Samsung 1TB 860 (23H2 Beta)
    PSU
    Dell 1100W
    Antivirus
    Premium Malwarebyte, AdwCleaner (Malwarebyte)
glasskuter said:
Defender and MWB Premium run great together. It's all you need. The AV part of Avast has always been quite good. But they stack too much other stuff on so I'm not a fan of it anymore. It uses a lot of resources. If you decide to shuck Avast, I suggest you use its removal tool in safe mode.

Using the Avast Uninstall Tool | Official Avast Support

Instructions to use the Avast Uninstall Tool on Windows.
support.avast.com support.avast.com
Then restart. Both MWB premium and Defender should be active in task manager. You may have to go iinto Windows Security and turn on Defender. If you can't turn it on, go in to MWB settings and toggle off "Always register Malwarebytes with Windows Security Center."
Restart again. That should allow you to turn on Defender to run alongside MWB.
Click to expand...
Toggle OFF “Always register….” ?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Wind 11 Pro 24H2 (Dev Channel)/23H2Beta (offline)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    DELL T7500
    CPU
    2 Intel Xeon 5680
    Memory
    120 Gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI(Nvidia) GeForce GTX 970
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell S2719DGF
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1440 (155Hz)
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 2TB 870 (24H2 Device)
    Samsung 1TB 860 (23H2 Beta)
    PSU
    Dell 1100W
    Antivirus
    Premium Malwarebyte, AdwCleaner (Malwarebyte)
Yes, it sounds backwards, I know. When an AV "registers" with Windows security, it makes the 3rd party AV the only realtime running one and turns defender off. Since MWB and Defender play so well together, you want both of them running in realtime. I've done it many years and wouldn't consider any other protection.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26100.4652
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    2x1tb Solidigm m.2 nvme /External drives 512gb Samsung m.2 sata+2tb Kingston m2.nvme
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    #1 Edge #2 Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26100.4061
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Beelink Mini PC SER5
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 6800U
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics card(s)
    integrated
    Sound Card
    integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Crucial nvme
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    still too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    System 3 is non compliant Dell 9020 i7-4770/24gb ram Win11 PRO 26100.4061
glasskuter said:
Yes, it sounds backwards, I know. When an AV "registers" with Windows security, it makes the 3rd party AV the only realtime running one and turns defender off. Since MWB and Defender play so well together, you want both of them running in realtime. I've done it many years and wouldn't consider any other protection.
Click to expand...
Got it! Thank a lot !
Both are now running simultaneously and AV is gone.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Wind 11 Pro 24H2 (Dev Channel)/23H2Beta (offline)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    DELL T7500
    CPU
    2 Intel Xeon 5680
    Memory
    120 Gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI(Nvidia) GeForce GTX 970
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell S2719DGF
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1440 (155Hz)
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 2TB 870 (24H2 Device)
    Samsung 1TB 860 (23H2 Beta)
    PSU
    Dell 1100W
    Antivirus
    Premium Malwarebyte, AdwCleaner (Malwarebyte)
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