Should you install a third-party antivirus if you have Windows Defender?

Windows Defender – this is a really good option for most people, especially if you don't forget about basic internet security rules. It's free, works quite fast, and protects better than many other antiviruses.

What you should know

What I like most about it – it's simplicity. You don't need to configure anything, it just runs in the background, and that's it. Updates are installed along with system updates, so you don't have to worry about missing anything. And if you want to see how it works, just go to the settings through the «Start» menu or click on the blue shield in the lower right corner – and everything is at hand.

Another big plus – it does not load the computer. I had this with third-party antiviruses: a bunch of processes are running, and everything hangs. But with Defender there is no such thing, the difference in speed is almost not noticeable.

As for false positives, everything is normal here too. Other antiviruses often block some safe files, but here it is a rarity. If suddenly Defender blocked something unnecessary, you just add this file to the exceptions and everything works.

For home use I think it is perfect. But if you run a business or are looking for something with more advanced features, then it is probably better to look for another option.

And the best thing is that it does not annoy with constant notifications. Minimum unnecessary windows, maximum peace. For me personally, this is a strong argument.

Natasha Kumar

By Natasha Kumar

Natasha Kumar has been a reporter on the news desk since 2018. Before that she wrote about young adolescence and family dynamics for Styles and was the legal affairs correspondent for the Metro desk. Before joining The Times Hub, Natasha Kumar worked as a staff writer at the Village Voice and a freelancer for Newsday, The Wall Street Journal, GQ and Mirabella. To get in touch, contact me through my natasha@thetimeshub.in 1-800-268-7116