McAfee or Windows Defender?

jbates99 · 2026-09-27T23:12:55-0400

hi experts,
On my HP Windows 11 PRO laptop, I have Defender running along with McAfee. Will they conflict?

And I would prefer to have only Defender along with Malwarebytes. (i.e. I would like to uninstall McAfee.) Will Defender and Malwarebytes give me adequate protection?

Thanks for any tips.

affordablekey1 · 2026-09-27T23:16:30-0400

If McAfee is providing real-time antivirus protection, Windows 11 normally handles Microsoft Defender accordingly rather than having both as the primary real-time antivirus.

If you decide to remove McAfee, I'd first make sure Windows Security shows Microsoft Defender Antivirus as the active provider after the uninstall and reboot.

For Malwarebytes, it also depends on whether you're using its real-time protection or just using it for occasional/on-demand scans. I wouldn't run two full real-time antivirus products together.

You can check the active provider under Windows Security → Virus & threat protection → Who's protecting me? → Manage providers.

idgat · 2026-09-27T23:20:03-0400

Use RevoUninstaller to remove McAfee, and don't forget the Advanced option to remove all leftover files, folders and registry entries.

Jacee · 2026-09-27T23:22:52-0400

Defender is free. You get to pay for McAfee when the trial period is done. Windows Defender is a good antivirus program. Stay with it and uninstall McAfee.

zbook · 2026-09-27T23:24:41-0400

Antivirus products have malware definitions that are frequently updated.

The rankings often vary.

Other considerations for malware software:

Computer performance
Prevalence failed Windows upgrades
BSODs
etc.

This is for McAfee uninstallation: (uninstaller tool)

https://www.mcafee.com/support/s/article/000002766?language=en_US

Other uninstalllers:

[KB146] Uninstallers (removal tools) for common Windows antivirus software

support.eset.com

Try3 · 2026-09-28T02:24:13-0400

jbates99 said:
Will Defender ... give me adequate protection?

Yes. You do not need anything else.

Denis

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Shambles Bank · 2026-09-28T02:35:19-0400

I used to use nothing but Windows Defender until I decided to use Bitdefender which in my opinion and real time experience, does a far better job of blocking access to known malware sites.

Morph000 · 2026-09-28T02:42:26-0400

McAfee you say?
I posted this a long time ago in a forum far, far away..
* Language warning*

Shambles Bank · 2026-09-28T03:01:00-0400

Absolutely brilliant

Helmut · 2026-09-28T04:41:29-0400

I'm not an expert, but a Laptop user which has had McAfee pre-installed. Windows security knows when a 3rd party AV is installed and configures itself not to conflict. When uninstalled, again Windows security knows and switches on Defender.

I used and configured McAfee just for my own education for the trial period and then uninstalled and used the McAfee removal tool MCPR. No problem, Defender clicks in. I did not want to pay was the only reason.

https://www.mcafee.com/support/s/article/000002766?language=en_US

Security is largely down to users not their installed AV, so I won't comment on "Will Defender and Malwarebytes give me adequate protection?".

Ghot · 2026-09-28T04:44:21-0400

Hello @jbates99 and welcome to ElevenForum.

Uninstall McAfee immediately.
As mentioned... use REVO Uninstaller (free) to remove it.
Make sure you do the "Scan" for leftovers and delete all that as well.

Download Revo Uninstaller Freeware - Free and Full Download

Free fully functional download of Revo Uninstaller Pro, Pro Portable and Revo Uninstaller Freeware. Quick and fast download here.

www.revouninstaller.com

Windows Defender with Malwarebytes for a 2nd opinion, will protect even the craziest surfer. ^^

gunrunnerjohn · 2026-09-28T12:21:34-0400

I treat McAfee and Norton as a virus, not as protection! They've gotten so bloated as to be useless!

SumpterX · 2026-09-28T12:56:42-0400

Ditto - McAfee is like malware, and good luck removing it all.
You shouldn't need anything other than Defender.
You can install an offline (i.e. not running in the background) scanner to provide a second opinion if you suspect something.
For example, Emsisoft Emergency Kit, ESET, Malwarebytes. Of course, with all of these you'll have to jump through hoops to find the free version (they don't make it easy).

Shambles Bank · 2026-09-28T13:19:46-0400

My MSI laptop came with Norton pre-installed and stupidly, I activated the one month free trial. From the moment it was activated, it was an absolute PITA and I felt forced to uninstall it within 24 hours. Well, I say uninstall. With Norton, they provide their own uninstall tool which you would think would remove all traces of the program. No chance! After using Norton's tool supposedly uninstalling the entire software and then rebooting, I kept getting pop ups telling me I was 'unprotected' even though I had Defender turned on. I carried out a deep search of the files and I discovered 4 Norton folders that had not been removed using Norton's tool. I deleted the folders and it sorted the issue out. Never ever again will I install Norton on any machine I have. Same with McAfee, that is never getting installed on any PC I own.

I now run Bitdefender and I never get any issues uninstalling it if I need to. Bitdefender plays nicely.

gunrunnerjohn · 2026-09-28T16:42:53-0400

Years ago I bought a lifetime subscription to MalwareBytes for three machines. I use that with Defender, and they don't get in each other's way. The only trick is to tell MalwareBytes NOT to integrate with Defender.

bikemanAMD · 2026-09-28T16:50:16-0400

Been using Defender, and Malwarebytes Premium since 2018--no conflicts, no slowdowns on any Household System.

Prior to switching Full time to Defender & Malwarebytes Premium i was using Avast Free, and by 2018 i was like i'm tired of all the problems, and pop ups. No infections or anything since, no false postitives to report, nothing--nice and smooth performance

i typically scan the systems with Malwarebytes Premium custom scan once a month--and never finds anything, of course i practice safe internet browsing these days, and keep everything on the systems up to date as tightly as i can. Make sure i do my backups weekly with Macrium Reflect X

I also update my UEFI bios when it shows a security fix, then i update it

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