Is antivirus needed in Windows, or can you save the installation?

antivirus windows

One of the great arguments that Mac supporters have always put forward is that this operating system is safe from threats. In a way, they have always looked a bit down on those who run Windows computers. And, of course, they had their reasons for doing so. However, things have changed since the release of Windows 10. The question is: right now, Do you need antivirus in Windows?

Before fully tackling the issue, it is important to clarify a few things. For example, it should be noted that for a long time the operating system Windows was the target of numerous attacks, but more than his vulnerability for his popularity.

On the other hand, it's also fair to say that for a long time Microsoft didn't measure up. Unable to offer its users a decent protection and security system, they were forced to resort to third-party antivirus programs. Paid, obviously. Fortunately, the landscape changed radically with the launch of Windows 10 in 2015.

See also: Windows 10 vs Windows 11: main differences

Windows 10 brought with it a lot of new features: the notification bar, the new Start menu or the search through the Cortana voice assistant, for example. And also an effective antivirus system: the well-known Windows Defender.

Windows Defender

Windows Defender

Is antivirus needed in Windows, or can you save the installation?

Windows Defender it's the antivirus that comes built into Windows 10 (and also Windows 11), so there's no need to download or install it. You also don't need to configure it. It is a very discreet tool, because although we do not notice it, it is there protecting our equipment at all times. An effective security barrier for all Microsoft systems.

How does it work

The objective of this security application is the threat and virus detection. From there, it acts by eliminating elements considered dangerous and quarantining suspicious files and potentially harmful software for our computer.

Although Windows Defender works independently, its manual use is very simple, you just have to follow these steps:

  1. First, go to the menu Start in Windows.
  2. There we write “Virus and Threat Protection” to find and open this option.
  3. Already within the Windows antivirus, we have the possibility to make changes, run a security analysis and verify if the tool is active, among other things.

Some of the practical options of Windows Defender are, for example, that of periodic review, to have our equipment always in perfect magazine condition, and that of protection against ransomware, one of the most dangerous forms of malware in existence today.

The importance of updates

Since Windows 10, updates are mandatory for home users. This means that if we do not access them, they install themselves. This is a great advantage, since keeping our equipment updated prevents many threats. Obviously, these updates also affect Windows Defender and improve its effectiveness.

Is the protection that Windows Defender gives us enough?

This is the big question: Is Windows Defender enough to completely protect our computer? In principle, for a normal user it is more than enough. It is a tool that gives us basic protection to avoid problems on the Internet. That it is so simple and that it is offered for free are other of its great virtues.

However, it is likely that many other users prefer reinforce this protection with other external and paid programs. This may be the case for users who perform many and frequent downloads, or who work with particularly sensitive material that requires an additional degree of protection.

Antivirus for Windows for extra protection

Assuming that the protection provided by Windows Defender is sufficient in most cases, it is no less true that extending said protection never hurts. Of course, if we decide to use another security program, we must always check that it works well and, above all, that it is reliable. The proposals listed below are:

Avast Free Antivirus

avast

Avast Antivirus (PRNewsPhoto/AVG Technologies NV)

Avast Free Antivirus is one of the best antivirus options in recent years. It is used by millions of Windows users around the world, both in its free version (very complete) and in the paid version. However, it is important to know that there is a well-founded doubt that, in exchange for using its protection for free, Avast trades our user data and sells it to large companies such as Google, Microsoft or Pepsi. It is also true that many users do not care about this at all.

Download link: Avast

BitDefender

bitDefender

Antivirus for Windows for extra protection: BitDefender

Another of the most popular and effective antiviruses in the world, with a high rating among Internet security professionals. With the free version of BitDefender we will be able to block phishing web pages or detect the most common threats of spyware, viruses and Trojans. A positive point of this software is that it consumes very few system resources, which makes it a very interesting option.

Download link: BitDefender

Free Panda Antivirus

antivirus panda

Antivirus for Windows to get extra protection: Panda Free Antivirus

Unlike BitDefender, the free antivirus from Panda Antivirus It consumes a lot of resources, which makes it initially less attractive than other antiviruses on this list. Despite that, it is fair to say that in the latest versions the optimization of the application has been greatly improved. Panda protects our computer against all kinds of malware and spyware (although not against ransomware), and incorporates a recovery system through a rescue USB.

Download link: Free Panda Antivirus

Conclusion

Once all this information is exposed, do you need antivirus in Windows, or can you save the installation? The most honest answer we can give is that Windows Defender will be enough (or not) depending on each type of user. In general terms, for a user who uses secure programs and makes normal use of the Internet, this basic general protection of Windows will suffice.


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