Microsoft Defender Reviews & Ratings

4.3/5

“Handy Antivirus Already Built-In, But Leaves Some Gaps for Advanced Users”

Microsoft Defender has been my go-to antivirus for a while because it comes built into Windows, so I didn’t have to install anything else. It does a decent job protecting my computer from malware and even includes extras like firewall and device security features. However, I’ve noticed that it lacks some advanced features like better phishing and ransomware protection, which I might need down the line. For something that’s already there and

Pros : One of the things I like about Microsoft Defender is that it’s always there when you need it, with no extra installation required. It comes with solid malware protection and runs quietly in the background. You don’t have to worry about updates or compatibility issues since it’s built into Windows. It also offers additional security features like app and network protection, which is nice to have.

Cons : Unfortunately, the phishing protection could use some work. It’s only reliable if you’re using Microsoft’s browsers, which I don’t use much. Also, its ransomware protection isn’t as strong as other antivirus programs. Setting up scan schedules is a bit tricky too—it’s not as straightforward as I expected.

Switched from : MalwareFox Anti-Malware

Reason to switch : I switched to Microsoft Defender because I liked the idea of having a pre-installed antivirus that didn’t need much maintenance.

4.2/5

“Microsoft Defender Is Easy to Use, But Has Limited Phishing Protection”

I’ve stuck with Microsoft Defender mainly because it’s built-in and I don’t need to install or update anything else. It does a good job of catching viruses and has other helpful features like network protection and app security. But I feel like it’s missing some important security measures, especially when it comes to phishing and ransomware. Overall, it’s a good choice for basic protection, but you might want to look into other options for stronger security features.

Pros : One of the best things about Microsoft Defender is that it’s already part of the Windows system. No need to go through the process of installing anything else. It’s also good at catching malware and runs without slowing down my computer. I appreciate that it automatically steps in if there’s no other antivirus running, so you’re always protected in some way.

Cons : The biggest downside for me is the weak phishing detection, especially if you use browsers other than Microsoft’s. The scan scheduling also isn’t as simple as it should be, which can make it harder to customize the scans. Plus, the ransomware protection doesn’t seem as strong as some competitors I’ve tried in the past.

Switched from : Norton Antivirus

Reason to switch : I switched to Defender for convenience—it’s already installed and doesn’t require extra updates or downloads.

4.2/5

“It’s a Good Basic Option, but Phishing Detection Needs Improvement”

I’ve been using Microsoft Defender for a while now because it’s built right into my system. It covers the basics well and has features like virus protection, firewall management, and device performance monitoring. However, its phishing detection is weak, and I feel it doesn’t protect my personal info as well as some other programs I’ve used. I’m okay with it for now since it’s free and integrated, but I might look for something more secure soon.

Pros : I like that Microsoft Defender is always available and that it’s already included with Windows, so there’s no installation hassle. The malware protection is solid, and it’s good to know it automatically jumps in when there’s no other antivirus on my system. I also appreciate that it offers more than just virus protection, like network and app security.

Cons : However, the phishing detection isn’t great unless you’re using Microsoft browsers, which isn’t helpful for me since I prefer Chrome. Its ransomware protection is also weaker than what I’m used to. And scheduling scans is more confusing than I think it should be—it’s not as easy to figure out compared to other software.

Switched from : Iolo Privacy Guardian

Reason to switch : I switched to Defender because I wanted a simple, hassle-free antivirus that was already built into Windows.

4.2/5

“Conveniently Built-In, But Ransomware Protection Could Be Better”

Microsoft Defender has been a good option for me because it’s built into Windows, and I don’t have to think much about it. It handles malware protection well and includes additional security options like firewall and device security. While I feel secure in general, I do wish it offered stronger ransomware and phishing protection, as these are increasingly important. It’s a solid option for anyone looking for something simple, but if you need more advanced features, you might want to look elsewhere.

Pros : I like that Microsoft Defender is already installed on my computer. No need to download or update anything extra, and it’s always running unless you decide to install something else. The malware protection is reliable and runs without slowing down my system. It’s nice to have extra features like firewall control and app security, all in one place.

Cons : However, the ransomware protection feels weaker compared to other antivirus programs I’ve tried. Another downside is that its phishing protection only works with Microsoft browsers, and I don’t use them much. Also, the scan scheduling process is a bit more complicated than it should be, which can be frustrating.

Switched from : Norton Antivirus

Reason to switch : I switched to Defender mainly because it’s built-in and easier to manage without needing extra software or constant updates.

4.2/5

“Reliable Enough, But Lacking in Ransomware Protection”

I’ve been relying on Microsoft Defender for a while, and it does a good job of covering the basic security needs. I love that it’s already installed and requires no setup. It handles virus protection pretty well and has features like firewall control and app protection. However, when I started paying more attention to phishing and ransomware threats, I felt that Defender was missing some crucial features. It’s solid for what it is, but not the most comprehensive option.

Pros : One thing I’ve noticed is how smooth Microsoft Defender runs. Since it’s built into Windows, you don’t need to worry about installation or compatibility issues. It covers all the basics like virus, threat, and account protection, and it’s nice that it’s always on unless you install another antivirus program.

Cons : That said, there are some notable weaknesses. The phishing detection isn’t the greatest unless you’re using Microsoft browsers. It feels like the ransomware protection is a bit lacking too. On top of that, I find the scan scheduling a bit clunky and not as user-friendly as other programs I’ve tried.

Switched from : WHM Cpanel Antivirus

Reason to switch : I switched to Microsoft Defender because I wanted something pre-installed and easy to use without too much customization.

4.1/5

“Good Basic Protection, But Could Improve on Phishing”

I started using Microsoft Defender mainly because it came with my Windows computer, and I didn’t have to install anything. It handles a lot of the essentials like virus protection and firewall settings, which is nice. I feel like it’s pretty reliable, but there are definitely some areas where it falls short, like with phishing and ransomware protection. I’m still sticking with it for now, but I’m keeping my eyes open for something that offers more.

Pros : I like that Microsoft Defender is just there when you need it. There’s no downloading or installing anything extra, and it provides pretty solid malware protection right out of the box. It’s a good option if you want something that’s always on without needing constant updates. Also, it does more than just virus protection—it offers things like firewall and network security, too.

Cons : On the flip side, I’ve noticed that its phishing detection isn’t very strong unless you’re using a Microsoft browser like Edge. That’s a bummer for someone who prefers Chrome. The ransomware protection also feels weaker compared to other software. Plus, the scan scheduling feels a bit awkward, and it takes time to figure out how to make it work the way you want.

Switched from : MalwareFox Anti-Malware

Reason to switch : I switched to Microsoft Defender because I wanted something that didn’t need constant downloads or updates.

4.1/5

“Convenient and Built-In, But Could Use a Few More Features”

Overall, I’ve been happy with Microsoft Defender since it’s already on my computer and ready to use. It’s done a good job at keeping malware off my system and handles more than just virus protection. There’s also protection for your network and apps. However, the weak phishing protection and awkward scan scheduling make it less than ideal. I think it’s good enough for everyday use, but there are other tools that offer better security.

Pros : One thing I love about Microsoft Defender is that you don’t have to download anything extra. It’s already built into Windows, and it runs quietly in the background. The malware protection is solid enough, and I appreciate that it handles other security features like firewall management, app control, and device security.

Cons : The biggest drawback for me is the phishing protection. It only works with Microsoft browsers, which is annoying because I use Chrome most of the time. Ransomware protection also feels pretty limited. Plus, trying to schedule scans was more complicated than it needed to be.

Switched from : ESET Business Security

Reason to switch : I switched because I wanted a more integrated experience without needing extra downloads or constant monitoring.

4/5

“Solid Antivirus That’s Already Installed, But Could Be More Secure”

I’ve been using Microsoft Defender because it’s already built into my system and provides decent malware protection without needing extra downloads or constant updates. It covers virus protection, network security, and more, which is great.

Pros : What I like most about Microsoft Defender is that it’s already built into Windows, so I don’t need to worry about downloading extra software. It’s always on unless you install a different antivirus, and it offers strong malware protection. I also appreciate the extra security features like firewall and device security, which are helpful.

Cons : The main problem I have is the limited phishing protection, which only works with Microsoft browsers. I also find that the ransomware protection isn’t as effective as other antivirus tools I’ve used. Scheduling scans can be a bit tricky and takes some time to figure out.

Switched from : Iolo Privacy Guardian

Reason to switch : I switched to Microsoft Defender because I wanted something pre-installed and easy to use without needing a lot of extra attention.

3.8/5

“It’s Great that It’s Already There, but Could Use a Phishing Boost”

Using Microsoft Defender has been pretty straightforward. It covers all the basic antivirus features I need, and I like that it also handles things like network protection and performance monitoring. It’s been reliable, but not flawless. The phishing detection could be stronger, and it mainly focuses on Microsoft's own browsers. I sometimes feel like I’m missing out on extra layers of security that other free options provide, but for something that’s built-in and free, it’s not bad.

Pros : What I love most about Microsoft Defender is that it's ready to go right out of the box. No need to install anything extra, and it's always on when no other antivirus is present. The malware protection is solid and I appreciate that it works quietly in the background. Also, it covers all the essentials—virus and threat protection, firewall, and device security.

Cons : However, the phishing detection leaves a lot to be desired. It mostly protects Microsoft browsers, which is a letdown for those of us who use Chrome or Firefox. The ransomware protection is also not the best compared to other software I’ve used. And figuring out how to schedule scans wasn’t as intuitive as I’d like.

Switched from : Kaspersky Antivirus

Reason to switch : I moved to Defender because it was already installed and required less effort to manage. I wanted something simple that didn't need frequent updates or add-ons.

3.7/5

“Microsoft's Built-In Antivirus Makes Protection Easy but Has Some Gaps”

I’ve been using Microsoft Defender for a while, mainly because it’s built into Windows, so I didn’t have to install anything new. It offers solid protection against viruses, Trojans, and other malware. It’s nice to have things like firewall control and device health checks right there in the security app. But, compared to other antivirus tools I’ve tried, it feels like there are still better options.

Pros : One of the things I like about Microsoft Defender is that it's already there. No need to go through the hassle of installing anything extra, and it’s always on when there's no other antivirus running. It also has a good reputation for catching malware in real-time. I've read that its hands-on malware protection score is impressive, which is reassuring.

Cons : The downside is its phishing detection could be better. I rely on Chrome a lot, and Microsoft’s SmartScreen only protects its own browsers like Edge. Another thing that bothered me is scheduling scans – it feels kind of awkward and not as smooth as some other antivirus software.

Switched from : Bitdefender Antivirus

Reason to switch : I switched because I wanted something that didn’t require constant updating or extra downloads. Microsoft Defender being built into Windows was a big convenience factor for me.