Documented product tests and assessments are pending. We therefore currently publish no scores or test winners. Selections use recorded product features.
Microsoft Defender
Microsoft Defender comes pre-installed on every Windows PC and provides solid baseline protection against malware, phishing, and ransomware. In independent tests, Defender now performs well and is often sufficient for users with cautious browsing habits. However, anyone who needs VPN, password manager, extended web protection, or parental controls should consider a paid suite. As a free reference point, Defender is the most important comparison benchmark.
A confirmed editorial review date is not available for these details.
Best for
Features in the product range
Listed features refer to the product range. They may require a different plan or an additional payment and may vary by platform. Check what your selected plan includes.
Pros
- Included for free
- Easy to access
- Important benchmark
Cons
- Fewer extras
- Not enough for every user