Recommendation for Windows Defender replacement. (File operations too slow with it.)


Subscriber43

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Windows Defender works very well except for one thing that bothers me no end: It drastically slows down file operations like copying, moving etc. Even if I copy the same set of files seconds later, apparently Defender wants to scan them all again. I thought this performance would improve with time as the software "learned", but it has remained the same.
Disabling "RealTime Protection" dramatically speeds up file operations.

Here, I have shortlisted four programs in order of preference (based in Internet reviews).
Kaspersky Security Cloud Free Edition
Avast One Essential
AVG AntiVirus Free
Avira Free Security.

Have you guys any experience with any of these? If so, can you make a recommendation?

Thanks.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 RP
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo ThinkCentre M75Q-1
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 5 Pro 3400GE @3.30 GHz (4.0 GHz Turbo)
    Motherboard
    Lenovo 3151
    Memory
    20 GB DDR4 2666 (1x16GB + 1x4GB)
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon Vega 11
    Sound Card
    Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    AOC 2369
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    WD 512 GB NVME + SPCC 240GB SATA SSD
    PSU
    External 65W
    Case
    Mini (1L)
Kaspersky free
It takes less RAM than Defender and works well
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 23H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Assembled
    CPU
    Intel i7-7700k
    Motherboard
    Asrock Z270 Taichi
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel 630 onboard
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 1080p
    Screen Resolution
    1920*1080
    Hard Drives
    NVMe, SSD and HDD
    Case
    Cooler Master
    Keyboard
    Asus wireless
    Mouse
    Asus Wireless
    Internet Speed
    75 Mbps
    Browser
    Chrome, Edge, Arc
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 RP
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo ThinkCentre M75Q-1
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 5 Pro 3400GE @3.30 GHz (4.0 GHz Turbo)
    Motherboard
    Lenovo 3151
    Memory
    20 GB DDR4 2666 (1x16GB + 1x4GB)
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon Vega 11
    Sound Card
    Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    AOC 2369
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    WD 512 GB NVME + SPCC 240GB SATA SSD
    PSU
    External 65W
    Case
    Mini (1L)
I will stick with defender it has always worked fine for me !
Chuck
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows11 23H2 (OS Build 22631.2428)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP HP ENVY TE01
    CPU
    2.90 gigahertz Intel Core i7-10700
    Motherboard
    Board: HP 8767 A (SMVB)
    Memory
    16214 Megabytes Usable Installed Memor
    Hard Drives
    1511.52 Gigabytes Usable Hard Drive Capacity
    1418.15 Gigabytes Hard Drive Free Space
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless
    Mouse
    M 185 wireless
    Internet Speed
    12 ms Jitter 8 ms Download 10.5 Mbps Upload 1.7
    Browser
    Edge & FF
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
In 2010 my old laptop started with paid Norton Suite, but when I changed jobs I had to give it up. Used AVG until a few years ago, had an issue with an update one time, chased it for a short bit, then gave up. Switched to Avira, very satisfied until I found it was beating up my RAM pretty good. I added RAM but moved on to Avast, then Avast One. I brought Avast One over to this new 2 month old laptop on a trial basis.

None of them ever caused me any security issues, and today I believe they would all work just fine. I have not tries Kaspersky.

I would look at other things, such as who owns which software, who has been caught with their hands in the cookie jar, etc.
But, as to your selection, I would pick Avast One from my experience, however, it makes sense to choose Kaspersky Cloud, as cineman195 mentioned.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 5410
    CPU
    11th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-11320H @ up to 4.5GHz
    Motherboard
    Present
    Memory
    16GB, 2x8GB, DDR4, 3200MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel(R) Iris(R) Xe Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP 24mh (ext), 14.0-inch FHD (1920 x 1080)
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    512GB NVMe BC711_NVMe SK hynix
    Backups - 500GB SimpleDrive (ext), WD 750GB (ext)
    Case
    Slim
    Cooling
    Kootek Cooling Pad
    Keyboard
    Logitech K360 (ext)
    Mouse
    Logitech 510
    Internet Speed
    941.93
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender, Malwarebytes
I will stick with defender it has always worked fine for me !
Chuck
Works fine for me too, except for its effect on file operations.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 RP
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo ThinkCentre M75Q-1
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 5 Pro 3400GE @3.30 GHz (4.0 GHz Turbo)
    Motherboard
    Lenovo 3151
    Memory
    20 GB DDR4 2666 (1x16GB + 1x4GB)
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon Vega 11
    Sound Card
    Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    AOC 2369
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    WD 512 GB NVME + SPCC 240GB SATA SSD
    PSU
    External 65W
    Case
    Mini (1L)
In 2010 my old laptop started with paid Norton Suite, but when I changed jobs I had to give it up. Used AVG until a few years ago, had an issue with an update one time, chased it for a short bit, then gave up. Switched to Avira, very satisfied until I found it was beating up my RAM pretty good. I added RAM but moved on to Avast, then Avast One. I brought Avast One over to this new 2 month old laptop on a trial basis.

None of them ever caused me any security issues, and today I believe they would all work just fine. I have not tries Kaspersky.

I would look at other things, such as who owns which software, who has been caught with their hands in the cookie jar, etc.
But, as to your selection, I would pick Avast One from my experience, however, it makes sense to choose Kaspersky Cloud, as cineman195 mentioned.
Thanks for your opinion. Will try them both and see.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 RP
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo ThinkCentre M75Q-1
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 5 Pro 3400GE @3.30 GHz (4.0 GHz Turbo)
    Motherboard
    Lenovo 3151
    Memory
    20 GB DDR4 2666 (1x16GB + 1x4GB)
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon Vega 11
    Sound Card
    Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    AOC 2369
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    WD 512 GB NVME + SPCC 240GB SATA SSD
    PSU
    External 65W
    Case
    Mini (1L)
Windows Defender works very well except for one thing that bothers me no end: It drastically slows down file operations like copying, moving etc. Even if I copy the same set of files seconds later, apparently Defender wants to scan them all again. I thought this performance would improve with time as the software "learned", but it has remained the same.
Disabling "RealTime Protection" dramatically speeds up file operations.

Thanks.
I'd be looking at not using the Windows built-in copy/paste function, rather than cease using Defender.

Try
- Teracopy
- Fastcopy
- bulk copying : Robocopy
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 22H2 (latest update ... forever anal)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Slim S01
    CPU
    Intel i5-9400
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GT730
    Sound Card
    OOBE
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer 32"
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    2 x 1TB SSDs
    PSU
    OOBE
    Case
    OOBE
    Cooling
    OOBE
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    Classic Australian w.a.p.
    Browser
    Brave
    Antivirus
    KIS
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro (latest upadte ... anally always)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavillion 15
    CPU
    i7-1165G7 @ 2.80GHz
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe Graphics
    Hard Drives
    Samsung NVMe 512GB
    + numerous/multiple SSD Type C USB enclosures
    Internet Speed
    NBN FTTN 50
    Browser
    Brave
    Antivirus
    KIS
Have you had any problems with viruses in the past 10 years? Just curious.
I haven't encountered one in 20 years on any of my machines. And from Windows 10 onwards, it's much more secure than their previous operating systems that had many vulnerabilities.

Of course, it may depend on the type of user you are. If you are inexperienced and careless, then maybe you need something to warn you of an impending hazard. You can best answer the type of user you are.

I regard system backups to be more important and they don't continually tax your system at all except for the short time that a backup is running.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Stigg's Build
    CPU
    Intel Core i9-10900X
    Motherboard
    GIGABYTE X299X DESIGNARE 10G
    Memory
    Corsair 64 GB (4 x 16 GB) CMW64GX4M4C3000C15 Vengeance RGB Pro 3000Mhz DDR4
    Graphics Card(s)
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1660 Super Mini ITX 6 GB OC
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC1220
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung 27" FHD LED FreeSync Gaming Monitor (LS27F350FHEXXY)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 970 Pro Series 1TB M.2 2280 NVMe SSD
    Western Digital Red Pro WD8003FFBX-68B9AN0 8 TB, 7200 RPM, SATA-III
    Western Digital Red Pro WD8003FFBX-68B9AN0 8 TB, 7200 RPM, SATA-III
    PSU
    Corsair HX1200 1200W 80 Plus Platinum
    Case
    Fractal Design Define 7 Black Solid Case
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15 Chromax Black
    Keyboard
    Razer Ornata V2
    Mouse
    Razer DeathAdder Essential
    Internet Speed
    FTTN 100Mbps / 40Mbps
    Browser
    Mozilla Firefox
    Antivirus
    N/A
    Other Info
    Logitech BRIO 4k Ultra HD USB-C Webcam
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS ROG Zephyrus M GM501GS
    CPU
    Core i7-8750H
    Motherboard
    Zephyrus M GM501GS
    Memory
    SK Hynix 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) HMA82GS6CJR8N-VK 16 GB DDR4-2666 DDR4 SDRAM
    Graphics card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC294
    Monitor(s) Displays
    AU Optronics B156HAN07.1 [15.6" LCD]
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung MZVKW512HMJP-00000 512 GB, PCI-E 3.0 x4
    Samsung SSD 860 QVO 4TB 4 TB, SATA-III
    PSU
    N/A
    Case
    N/A
    Cooling
    N/A
    Mouse
    Razer DeathAdder Essential
    Keyboard
    PC/AT Enhanced PS2 Keyboard (101/102-Key)
    Internet Speed
    FTTN 100Mbps / 40Mbps
    Browser
    Mozilla Firefox
    Antivirus
    N/A
    Other Info
    USB2.0 HD UVC Webcam
Have you had any problems with viruses in the past 10 years? Just curious.
I haven't encountered one in 20 years on any of my machines. And from Windows 10 onwards, it's much more secure than their previous operating systems that had many vulnerabilities.

Of course, it may depend on the type of user you are. If you are inexperienced and careless, then maybe you need something to warn you of an impending hazard. You can best answer the type of user you are.

I regard system backups to be more important and they don't continually tax your system at all except for the short time that a backup is running.
No, I haven't had any virus problems in a very long time (many years), but viruses aren't my problem.
As stated in the OP, the problem is the slowing down of file copy/move operations.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 RP
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo ThinkCentre M75Q-1
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 5 Pro 3400GE @3.30 GHz (4.0 GHz Turbo)
    Motherboard
    Lenovo 3151
    Memory
    20 GB DDR4 2666 (1x16GB + 1x4GB)
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon Vega 11
    Sound Card
    Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    AOC 2369
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    WD 512 GB NVME + SPCC 240GB SATA SSD
    PSU
    External 65W
    Case
    Mini (1L)
Thank you. In your experience, does it hamper file operations?
Actually I have no idea !
I have been moving/copying files with both defender and Kaspersky, so far there has been no problem, except varying speeds for different files ! Some .exe files, and some bat files ( KMS files downloaded for experimentation ) are flagged as malicious, sometimes deleted, but if exceptions are made left alone.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 23H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Assembled
    CPU
    Intel i7-7700k
    Motherboard
    Asrock Z270 Taichi
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel 630 onboard
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 1080p
    Screen Resolution
    1920*1080
    Hard Drives
    NVMe, SSD and HDD
    Case
    Cooler Master
    Keyboard
    Asus wireless
    Mouse
    Asus Wireless
    Internet Speed
    75 Mbps
    Browser
    Chrome, Edge, Arc
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
Oh i have had more virus an infections than you can shake a stick at because i am a trained Malware Removal Specialist and have had to infect my some of my "virtual machines" to learn which tools are best to remove certain bad guys with ! And sometimes you get hit with one that is hard to remove ! Sometimes you just get hit no matter what kind of protection you have, it just happens ! But Defender does a REAL GOOD JOB !

Chuck
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows11 23H2 (OS Build 22631.2428)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP HP ENVY TE01
    CPU
    2.90 gigahertz Intel Core i7-10700
    Motherboard
    Board: HP 8767 A (SMVB)
    Memory
    16214 Megabytes Usable Installed Memor
    Hard Drives
    1511.52 Gigabytes Usable Hard Drive Capacity
    1418.15 Gigabytes Hard Drive Free Space
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless
    Mouse
    M 185 wireless
    Internet Speed
    12 ms Jitter 8 ms Download 10.5 Mbps Upload 1.7
    Browser
    Edge & FF
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
Any AV is only as good as it's protection history, ask 6 different members here and you'll get 6 different answers. I finally moved from WD to Norton yesterday as my work insisted on it for home working, have to say at this very early point I'm impressed with it's minimal footprint even during the initial scan, time will tell as to it's effectiveness.
AV is a choice that's as personal as choosing clothes imho
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro Beta, 11 Dev, W11 Canary
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Alienware M15 Ryzen Edition R6
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen™ 9 5900HX
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 3070 8GB GDDR6
    Hard Drives
    1 x Samsung 980 Pro 1TB
    1 x Samsung 970 Evo Plus 1TB

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