Windows Defender is an anti-malware component of Microsoft Windows which has since been shipped with Windows since the times of Windows Vista and Windows 7 but it's rarely used as it faces many criticisms and people tend to go for other alternatives. This might sound weird but I really mean it, we keep paying for antivirus software that basically does nothing more than Windows Defender.
After carefully evaluating 20 home security products since the beginning of the year, Microsoft's defender topped the list. Only four of these products achieved the top score. It's common for any user to disregard the default malware protection software on windows. Installing other security software would be as a result of personal preferences and recommendation by friends.
Well whether you like it not, the best antivirus software out there is windows defender. The other three are F-Secure SAFE 17, Kaspersky Internet Security 19.0 and Norton Security 22.17. They are no different from defender apart from the fact that Microsoft includes it for free with Windows 10. The others require a paid subscription to access full functionality. One of the most popular miss outs were Avast Free Antivirus 19.5, AVG Internet Security 19.5 and Bitdefender Internet Security 23.0. There's a lot to choose from when you go to the antivirus market and they provide good protection. Microsoft has now set the bar high for other competitors. Does this make other Antivirus software obsolete? Windows 10's security boost just means that other competitors need to up their game if they want to keep selling security software to Windows users.
Honestly, if you consistently practise safe computing - you keep your software up to date, for example, you use strong passwords and you steer clear of unexpected emails and links - you probably can stay clear of trouble. And with Microsoft's free Antivirus software running on Windows 10, you have a safety net if you do let your guard down. (Note that Microsoft recently changed the name of Windows Defender to Microsoft Defender and has expanded the service to other platforms.