Windows Defender in Win 11

GerryPeters · May 14, 2024

I realize MS wants us to pay for MS Defender saying it's better. But is Windows Defender in Win 11 as good as it was in Win 10? I'm very careful with email links and websites and haven't ever gotten a virus in my decades using computers. I have always used image files in case something does go haywire and I can revert to an earlier image instead of troubleshooting. I was using AVG on my internet computer, but recently discarded it for Windows Defender in my Win 10 computer. This was on the advice of someone in tenforums. Any thoughts or advice on this?

Berton · May 14, 2024

Haven't seen anything about having to pay for Microsoft Security/Windows Defender, it's included with my Windows, 7, 10, 11 Home and Pro. So far it has been flawless in operation.

andrew129260 · May 14, 2024

You don't need to pay for windows defender, its built into windows 10 and 11 for free.

Microsoft does offer additional protection through office 365 subscription, confusingly called microsoft defender:

On your PC, Microsoft Defender works with built-in Windows Security (windows defender) to provide additional device protection on your Android, iOS, and MacOS devices. Identity theft monitoring*, credit monitoring**, support, and insurance help keep your personal data safer online. Easily manage your and your family's identity and device protections in a single dashboard. Stay up to date with timely notifications and alerts across your devices and your personal identity. When a compromise happens, get step-by-step guidance, 24/7 support, and identity theft insurance***, up to USD 1 million and up to USD $100,000 in lost funds, to help cover fees to help restore your identity and reimburse financial loss.

To get started, download the app and login with your Microsoft account. A valid Microsoft 365 Personal or Family subscription is required to activate Defender on your devices. Check your subscription status here: https://account.microsoft.com/

The Microsoft Defender app is also available for your Android, iOS and Mac devices. In the app, you can send an invite to download Microsoft Defender on your other devices. You can also easily access your dashboard on mydefender.microsoft.com when you're on-the-go.

So if you don't have a need for it, you don't need to pay for it. Windows defender is just fine.

GerryPeters · May 14, 2024

Great advise. I'm beginning to think that much of the anti virus apps are more appropriate for those not very seasoned and don't know how to avoid the pitfalls of certain websites, downloading apps, and never clicking on an email link that's generic, especially if it seems to be from someone you know. Of course images files are a great safety backup. I also backup all my computers every night and back that HD up to the cloud using Backblaze. Relying on Murphy's Law and having a disaster recovery plan is important for us all

antspants · May 14, 2024

GerryPeters said:
I'm beginning to think that much of the anti virus apps are more appropriate for those not very seasoned

Some people just don’t like using Defender. I certainly know what I am doing and I don’t like Defender so I don’t use it.

garlin · May 14, 2024

If it hasn't been answered, (retail) Windows Defender is the same software on both W10 & 11. The Enterprise (or "Endpoint") versions are different by offering centralized management of settings & policy, and stricter (more aggressive) filtering of scanned files. O365 bundles a Defender version that fits somewhere between the retail and Endpoint editions, in terms of features. It's more of a "nice to have", but not "need to have" for typical home users.