Microsoft Defender
Microsoft
π‘ Pick it if you want strong built-in Windows protection without installing or paying for another antivirus.
Microsoft Defender is the built-in antivirus and threat-protection service for Windows 10 and Windows 11. It provides real-time scanning, ransomware safeguards, firewall...
Pros
- Included with Windows and requires no separate subscription
- Integrates directly with Windows Firewall and system security settings
- Typically uses fewer promotional prompts than third-party free antivirus
Cons
- Fewer bundled privacy and identity features than Panda Dome
- Less useful for devices outside the Microsoft ecosystem
- Some advanced controls are difficult for nontechnical users to find
Free with Windows 10 and 11