Windows Defender in Win 11


GerryPeters

Active member
Member
Local time
5:46 AM
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106
OS
WIN 11 PRO
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?
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    WIN 11 PRO
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom built - WIN 11 PRO 64-bit ,
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-14400 2.50 Ghz,
    Motherboard
    ACER Z790 motherboard
    Memory
    32 Gigs
    Hard Drives
    256 gig M2 SSD boot HD, 3 internal HD's, 2 USB
  • Operating System
    Win 10 PRO
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    CUSTOM
    CPU
    Haswell CPU 4790k @ 4.4GHz,
    Motherboard
    AsRock Z97 motherboard,
    Memory
    16 Gigs
    Hard Drives
    OS drive 250GB SSD,
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.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win11 Pro RTM
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro 3400
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 11th Gen. 2.40GHz
    Memory
    12GB
    Hard Drives
    256GB SSD NVMe M.2
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro RTM x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro 5890
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 10th Gen. 2.90GHz
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Onboard, no VGA, using a DisplayPort-to-VGA adapter
    Monitor(s) Displays
    24" Dell
    Hard Drives
    512GB SSD NVMe, 4TB Seagate HDD
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender/Microsoft Security
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.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Built
    CPU
    Ryzen 7 5700 X3D
    Motherboard
    MSI MPG B550 GAMING PLUS
    Memory
    64 GB DDR4 3600mhz Gskill Ripjaws V
    Graphics Card(s)
    RTX 4070 Super , 12GB VRAM Asus EVO Overclock
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Gigabyte M27Q (rev. 2.0) 2560 x 1440 @ 170hz HDR
    Hard Drives
    2TB Samsung nvme ssd
    2TB XPG nvme ssd
    PSU
    CORSAIR RMx SHIFT Series™ RM750x 80 PLUS Gold Fully Modular ATX Power Supply
    Case
    CORSAIR 3500X ARGB Mid-Tower ATX PC Case – Black
    Cooling
    ID-COOLING FROSTFLOW X 240 CPU Water Cooler
    Internet Speed
    900mbps DOWN, 100mbps UP
  • Operating System
    Chrome OS
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Chromebook
    CPU
    Intel Pentium Quad Core
    Memory
    4GB LPDDR4
    Monitor(s) Displays
    14 Inch HD SVA anti glare micro edge display
    Hard Drives
    64 GB emmc
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
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    WIN 11 PRO
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom built - WIN 11 PRO 64-bit ,
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-14400 2.50 Ghz,
    Motherboard
    ACER Z790 motherboard
    Memory
    32 Gigs
    Hard Drives
    256 gig M2 SSD boot HD, 3 internal HD's, 2 USB
  • Operating System
    Win 10 PRO
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    CUSTOM
    CPU
    Haswell CPU 4790k @ 4.4GHz,
    Motherboard
    AsRock Z97 motherboard,
    Memory
    16 Gigs
    Hard Drives
    OS drive 250GB SSD,
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.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 Build 22631.5039
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Sin-built
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4770K CPU @ 3.50GHz (4th Gen?)
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VI Formula
    Memory
    32.0 GB of I forget and the box is in storage.
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte nVidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super OC 6GB
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    4 x LG 23MP75 - 2 x 24MK430H-B - 1 x Wacom Pro 22" Tablet
    Screen Resolution
    All over the place
    Hard Drives
    Too many to list.
    OS on Samsung 1TB 870 QVO SATA
    PSU
    Silverstone 1500
    Case
    NZXT Phantom 820 Full-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15 Elite Class Dual Tower CPU Cooler / 6 x EziDIY 120mm / 2 x Corsair 140mm somethings / 1 x 140mm Thermaltake something / 2 x 200mm Corsair.
    Keyboard
    Corsair K95 / Logitech diNovo Edge Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech G402 / G502 / Mx Masters / MX Air Cordless
    Internet Speed
    100/40Mbps
    Browser
    All sorts
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky Premium
    Other Info
    I’m on a horse.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 Build: 22631.4249
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    LENOVO Yoga 7i EVO OLED 14" Touchscreen i5 12 Core 16GB/512GB
    CPU
    Intel Core 12th Gen i5-1240P Processor (1.7 - 4.4GHz)
    Memory
    16GB LPDDR5 RAM
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe Graphics Processor
    Sound Card
    Optimized with Dolby Atmos®
    Screen Resolution
    QHD 2880 x 1800 OLED
    Hard Drives
    M.2 512GB
    Antivirus
    Defender / Malwarebytes
    Other Info
    …still on a horse.
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.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
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