Is Microsoft Defender Enough to Stay Protected in 2024?
Microsoft Defender is a decent option for a 100% free, cloud-based antivirus service and has vastly improved in recent years. However, I wasn’t sure it could stand up to the top antivirus solutions available on the market.
I put Microsoft Defender to the test, examining malware detection, scans, internet security, system impact, and more. I found that Microsoft Defender isn’t good enough to protect your PC alone. You need additional antivirus software to secure your device.
Ultimately, TotalAV outperforms every antivirus service I tested, including Microsoft Defender. Its powerful antivirus engine and fast scans keep your PC protected from the latest threats, and it includes extra features that Microsoft Defender doesn’t offer. Better still, you can try TotalAV risk-free for 30 days with its money-back guarantee.
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Quick Guide: Top Alternatives to Microsoft Defender in 2024
- TotalAV — #1 antivirus software for Windows. Excellent malware protection for Windows PC, laptops, and tablets.
- McAfee — Advanced malware protection and online security for Windows.
- Norton — Powerful malware protection, firewall, VPN, and Windows-specific features.
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Can You Rely on Microsoft Defender Alone in 2022?
Unfortunately, no — Microsoft Defender isn’t enough to protect your PC by itself. My team and I rigorously tested Microsoft Defender over several weeks, checking real-time malware detection rates, ease of use, system impact, and more. While the results were fairly positive, Microsoft Defender falls short in key areas that could expose your Windows devices to significant threats.
In terms of malware protection, Microsoft Defender is less capable of stopping the latest threats — a 98% detection rate, which falls short in comparison to TotalAV’s 100% detection. Microsoft Defender’s lack of regular updates means it can’t always handle the latest threats and this puts your devices at risk. Microsoft Defender also doesn’t provide ransomware protection, which is a significant issue as ransomware attacks are on the rise. This alone is a good reason to opt for a premium antivirus solution.
Microsoft Defender also lacks the extra features offered by a premium antivirus. A service like TotalAV has advanced security and privacy features, like a password manager, VPN, cloud storage, a sophisticated firewall, cross-platform support, and more. While Microsoft Defender includes a firewall and parental controls, the interface is difficult to navigate and settings are complex to configure.
While it’s improving, Microsoft Defender is not even nearly at the same level as premium antivirus software. Services like TotalAV, McAfee, and Norton are dedicated to protecting your devices from malware — and not just your Windows PC. Microsoft Defender is better than no protection at all, but it should be thought of more as a placeholder for a comprehensive antivirus suite rather than as a viable solution.
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The Best Antivirus Alternatives to Microsoft Defender (Tested 2024)
1. TotalAV — #1 Antivirus With Useful Performance-Enhancing Tools for Your Windows PC
Key Features:
- Easily defends Windows from ransomware, adware, spyware, viruses, and rootkits
- Includes PC optimization tools as well as a password vault and a VPN
- Compatible with Windows 10 and 11
- 24/7 customer support by live chat, email, or phone
- 30-day money-back guarantee
TotalAV’s impressive optimization tools make it the #1 alternative to Microsoft Defender. During my Smart Scan, TotalAV suggested multiple ways to optimize my PC. It checked for junk and duplicate files, uncleared browser cookies, unnecessary start-up programs, and even has an App Uninstaller that completely removes apps. I could resolve any issues from the Smart Scan screen in minutes and found it made a noticeable difference to my overall system performance.
These performance tune-up tools are lacking from Microsoft Defender, which only includes a general PC health report. TotalAV also includes a password vault, a VPN, an ad blocker, and Web Shield, which is a browser extension that blocks malicious websites. It also comes with identity theft protection and a data breach test that scans the web for leaks of your information.
I was pleased to find TotalAV had almost no impact on my PC during tests, even when running high-intensity virus scans. TotalAV also updates its software regularly, allowing it to easily detect and block newly-released malware — it scored 99% in real-time threat tests.
I found TotalAV is much easier to use than Microsoft Defender. The interface is simple to navigate even if you’re a first-time antivirus user. Unlike Microsoft Defender, TotalAV’s app doesn’t have any hidden features or unnecessary dropdown menus that make it difficult to configure the settings.
TotalAV offers 3 different plans; Antivirus Pro, Internet Security, and Total Security. Even on its lowest-end plan, you’ll initially get incredible value for money if you use TotalAV. I consider TotalAV reasonably priced thanks to its reliable protection and impressive feature variety.
You can try TotalAV risk-free for 30 days with its money-back guarantee, to see if the service is a good fit for your needs. Getting a refund is easy too — you can call the support line for billing services or send an email requesting your money back. I had my refund only 2 days after confirmation.
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2. McAfee — Easy-to-Customize Firewall Blocks Windows-Specific Threats
Key Features:
- Advanced AI predicts strains of new malware before its even released
- Includes customizable firewall, web protection tools, optimization tools, and more
- Supports Windows 10 and 11
- 24/7 customer support by online chat or phone
- 30-day money-back guarantee
McAfee’s customizable firewall and intuitive interface are much more user-friendly than Microsoft Defender. Even for a first-time antivirus user, McAfee makes adjusting important settings very easy — every option is clearly labeled so you won’t accidentally switch off or change any important settings.
With McAfee’s firewall, I particularly like its 2-way threat detection. Not only does the firewall secure your PC from incoming malware, it also stops unwanted traffic from leaving your PC — protecting your entire network from threats. I used the firewall alongside McAfee’s vulnerability scanner and home network monitor, both of which constantly scan apps and external devices for weak spots or hackers. These features aren’t included with Microsoft Defender.
I also like McAfee’s WebAdvisor browser extension, which automatically blocks phishing scams, crypto-jacking, and dangerous websites while you’re browsing online. This extension is available on Firefox, Edge, and Chrome and will secure your preferred browser.
McAfee provides even more features that improve your Windows security, and that Microsoft Defender is missing. These include a VPN, password manager, comprehensive parental controls, and a file shredder. In tests, McAfee achieved 100% detection rates for real-time malware attacks . McAfee also includes ransomware protection (which Microsoft Defender is lacking).
While it isn’t free, McAfee is an affordable option with a range of plans to suit your budget. The Premium Plan is the best value, protecting up to 10 devices across multiple platforms and providing Safe Family parental control features. You can try McAfee with your Windows PC risk-free by using its 30-day money-back guarantee.
Try McAfee on Windows risk-free!
3. Norton — Excellent Antivirus Software Suite for Windows 10 & 11
Key Features:
- Blocks 100% of malware targeting Windows in real-time
- Extra features include a VPN, parental controls, password manager, and more
- Compatible with all versions of Windows
- 24/7 customer support available by live chat or by phone
- 60-day money-back guarantee
Norton is an excellent antivirus service in 2024 and superior to Microsoft Defender in every way. It successfully detects all types of PC-specific malware and comes with a variety of extra features to improve overall Windows security. Best of all, Norton has a range of Windows antivirus packages to suit every budget.
In tests, Norton successfully detected and quarantined 100% of malware threats. Unlike Microsoft Defender, Norton updates its software constantly so your PC is always protected from the latest cyber threats. Norton also features a Safe Web browser extension that scans websites for malware and phishing scams. During my tests, Safe Web detected almost 99% of web-based threats, while Microsoft’s own browser, Edge, failed to block most of the test sites I tried to access.
I was especially impressed by Norton’s VPN and Password Manager features. With the VPN, I could stream on Netflix in HD quality, even though my speeds were a little slower than usual.
While Norton isn’t free, it has a range of plans that are suitable for all budgets. The best value package is the Deluxe plan, which covers 5 devices, has 50GB of cloud storage, and parental controls. It does cost money, but Norton’s regular updates guarantee your security from real-time online threats.
You can take advantage of Norton’s 60-day money-back guarantee to try the service risk-free. If you find it’s not right for you, you can get a refund by contacting the 24/7 live chat. It took less than 5 minutes for me to get my request approved and I had my money back in just 5 days!
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Comparison Table: 2024’s Best AV Alternatives
Here is a quick overview of the top antivirus alternatives to Microsoft Defender, showing the key features for each service:
| Malware Detection Test Results | Free Version | Extra Features | Supported Platforms | Money-Back Guarantee | |
| TotalAV | 99% | ✔ | VPN, web protection, and more | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS | 30 days |
| McAfee | 100% | ✘ | Password manager, VPN, web protection firewall, optimization tools, and more | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS | 30 days |
| Norton | 100% | ✘ | Password manager, VPN, firewall, cloud backup, parental controls, web protection, and more | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS | 60 days |
After extensive testing, TotalAV emerges as the best alternative to Microsoft Defender. TotalAV has 100% new and known malware-detection results, plus a range of security and privacy features that provide comprehensive protection for your Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android devices.
Try TotalAV on Windows risk-free!
Combine Microsoft Defender With a Quality Windows Antivirus
For a free antivirus service, Microsoft Defender has improved considerably since its last update. Unfortunately, it’s still not good enough to protect your Windows device by itself. As such, I recommend you either use a premium antivirus service alongside Microsoft Defender, or replace it altogether.
TotalAV takes the top spot as the best antivirus for Windows in 2024. Not only does it block all types of Windows-specific malware, but it comes with a range of security features for your PC. Best of all, you can try TotalAV risk-free for 30 days with its money-back guarantee! When I tested the refund policy, it only took me a couple of minutes over 24/7 live chat and I got the money back in less than a week.
Summary — Best AV Alternatives to Microsoft Defender
