Malware protection: Good
System impact, background: n/a
System impact, scans: Heavy
Windows compatibility: 10, 11
Email scans: Yes
File shredder: No
Game/silent mode: No
Hardened/secure browser: Yes (Edge only)
Password manager: Yes (Edge only)
Performance scanner: No
Ransomware file reversal: Yes (with OneDrive)
Rescue disk: No
Scan scheduler: Yes
Support options: 24/7 phone, email support
Upsell nag factor: Invisible
Built into Windows 10 and 11, Microsoft Defender is so intimately tied to the operating system’s software that its protection is simple, deep and mostly automatic. There’s nothing to do and the only way to turn it off is to install a different malware product. In fact, every new Windows computer comes from the factory ready to defend against a variety of attacks with a firewall, behavioral monitoring and overall good malware protection.
