Paul many times recommended that most home users are perfectly fine running Windows Defender as their main protection on Windows 10. Couple of months ago I stopped paying for protection software and used Defender since. I’m pretty happy with it and Windows ‘felt’ snappier in comparison to the paid antivirus.
However many antivirus test sites like AV-Test or AV-comparatives argue that Windows Defender slows down the PC noticeably and consume significant resources. I’m thinking about moving to a cloud based solution like Comodo Cloud Antivirus or Webroot, as in theory, they should use less system resources – which is something I need on my Atom based Windows 10 tablet 🙂
What are your observations? Is Windows Defender the best choice for low end PCs?
Bats
<p>I am actually running Windows Defender on the two new PCs that I bought last year (HP Envy 27 AiO and HP Spectre X2). I decided to just go with Windows Defender, based on the recommendation from some Firefox guy, that 3rd Party AVs break the browser and kinda/sorta make the PC unsecure. After a number of years using Avast, Vipre, and Nod32, I decided to just go with Windows Defender. For one thing, I don't want to pay anymore for this stuff. I would rather pay annually for Office 365 Home subscription to get up 5TB of hard drive space for myself rather than another tool that gives me better AV protection but not total immunity from it. </p><p>Luckily, I was able to jump on the chance to purchase five Lifetime Malwarebytes Pro subscriptions to compliment my AV program at the time and that's what I am using now as my second layer of defense. </p><p>Overall, my setup has worked very well for me, considering Windows Defender gets hammered everywhere in the Blogosphere. Anyway, I don't go to shady websites, except for Thurrott.com (JUST KIDDING!!!). I don't access porn, warez, or download any bootleg movies. So overall, I've been safe so far. </p><p>I do keep one eye on the software security space, to see if anything new or cutting edge is released in terms of anti-virus/anti-malware, but as of right now my PC is running clean, fast, and strong.</p><p>One more thing,…</p><p>Microsoft should just make this product the best in the market. After all, it protects their crown jewel, Windows OS. Why they keep failing at these independent tests, is beyond me. I have no reason to not believe in these independent tests, but Microsoft consistently ranks severely low in them. It does make me wonder, whether I am doing the right thing by using Defender, but it would be good if Microsoft actually performed high on one of these tests. </p><p>All in all, the most important part of Windows Security are the Updates. Constant updates should be the 1st layer of defense, then the AV product, and then Anti-malware….that should keep any PC safe.</p>
Bats
<p>Give us the link that says Windows Defender slows down your machine.</p><p><br></p><p>I'm tired of paying for anti-virus. I went strictly to Windows Defender. I haven't had a problem ever since. Let's face it, unless someone watches porn or goes to really shady websites, Defender along with Windows Updates will do the job. If you really want to be absolutely safe, then use Defender with Malwarebytes Free or Emsisoft Emergency Kit. </p>