Microsoft Defender Review: Is It Enough in 2024?

#1 Microsoft Defender Review in 2024

Microsoft Defender, the built-in antivirus program for Windows 10 and 11, has come a long way since its beginning. As a cybersecurity enthusiast, I've always been curious about its capabilities. That's why I decided to put it to the test and see how it compares to other antivirus solutions.

In this thorough Microsoft Defender review, I'll examine its features, performance, and overall effectiveness. You'll learn:

• How well Microsoft Defender protects against various threats
• The impact it has on your system's performance
• Its user-friendliness and ease of use
• The additional security features it offers
• How it compares to third-party antivirus solutions

So, are you ready to find out if Microsoft Defender is up to the task of keeping your PC safe? Let's get started!

In a Hurry? Here's a Quick Summary

If you’re in a rush, here’s a quick summary of my findings for this Microsoft Defender review.

What You'll Like:

• Free and pre-installed on Windows 10 and 11
• Easy-to-use interface with essential security features
• Good real-time protection against malware
• Integrated firewall with advanced configuration options
• Regular updates through Windows Update

What You May Not Like:

• Higher system resource usage during scans
• Web protection limited to Microsoft Edge
• No junk removal tool included
• Limited customization options compared to third-party solutions
• Parental controls can be difficult to configure

What Makes This Microsoft Defender Review Different?

Many antivirus reviews out there focus solely on third-party solutions, often overlooking the built-in Microsoft Defender. I wanted to change that by giving it the attention it deserves. After all, it's the first line of defense for millions of Windows users worldwide.

For this review, I spent two weeks testing Microsoft Defender on my Dell XPS laptop running Windows 11. I put it through various scenarios, from everyday use to simulated malware attacks. I've captured 15 screenshots to give you a visual tour of its features and performance.

What sets this review apart is my hands-on approach. I didn't just rely on spec sheets or secondhand information. I used Microsoft Defender as my primary antivirus solution, testing every feature and observing its behavior in real-world situations. This review is based on my personal experience, giving you an authentic look at what it's like to use Microsoft Defender as your main security tool.

Interface

Microsoft Defender's user interface is refreshingly simple and clear. You can access it through Settings > Privacy & security > Security > Windows Security. The main window is divided into two parts: a left-side menu with security options and a main screen where you can use and configure the features.

Microsoft Defender's main interface is clean and easy to navigate

The Home tab gives you a quick overview of all the main features:

• Virus protection
• Account protection
• Firewall
• App and browser control
• Device Security
• Device performance
• Family options
• Protection history

What I really like about the interface is its consistency with the overall Windows design. It feels like a natural part of the operating system, not an added afterthought. You can even change the look and theme of the interface by adjusting your Windows personalization settings.

One thing that surprised me was how easy it was to find specific features. Unlike some third-party antivirus solutions that bury important options in submenus, Microsoft Defender keeps everything just a click or two away.

Major Features

Let’s uncover the benefits of using Microsoft Defender Antivirus. We’ll go over its primary capabilities and explore how it aligns with your specific security requirements.

Virus & Threat Protection

The heart of any antivirus solution is its ability to detect and remove malware. Let's see how Microsoft Defender performs in this crucial area.

Scan

Microsoft Defender offers several scanning options to suit different needs:

Quick scan: This is the default scanning option, and it's designed to check the most common areas where malware might hide. In my tests, the quick scan took just 19 seconds and scanned 19,000 files. It didn't find any threats on my system.

Quick scan results showing the number of files scanned and time taken

The speed of the quick scan is a definite plus. It's fast enough that you won't hesitate to run it regularly, which is crucial for maintaining good system health.

Full scan: For a more comprehensive check, you can run a full scan. This option examines all mounted fixed disks and removable drives. As expected, it takes considerably longer than a quick scan.

Full scan results shows more detailed information about the scan

In my test for this Microsoft Defender review, the full scan took 29 minutes and examined 746,000 files. It found 2 threats, which were quickly quarantined. While 29 minutes might seem long, it's actually quite reasonable for a full system scan.

Custom scan: If you want to check specific files or folders, the custom scan option is perfect. You can use this to scan external drives or folders you suspect might contain malware.Custom scan :

Offline scan: For particularly stubborn malware, Microsoft Defender offers an offline scan option. This runs before Windows starts, allowing it to detect malware that might otherwise hide itself.

Ransomware Protection

One feature that impressed me was Microsoft Defender's ransomware protection. Using a ransomware simulator, I tested its effectiveness against 22 different scenarios. The results? Microsoft Defender successfully blocked 15 out of 22 simulations.

Ransomware protection test results: 15 out of 22 threats were blocked

This performance puts it on par with many paid antivirus solutions, which is quite remarkable for a free, built-in tool.

Other Features

Microsoft Defender includes several other protection features that you can toggle on or off:

Here are the additional protection features that can be customized

• Real-time protection
• Cloud-delivered protection
• Automatic sample submission
• Tamper protection
• Controlled folder access

These options give you a good level of control over your system's security, allowing you to balance protection and performance according to your needs.

Account Protection

Account protection is another crucial aspect of system security, and Microsoft Defender doesn't disappoint in this area.

The account protection options in Microsoft Defender

Windows Hello

Windows Hello is a biometric authentication feature that uses facial recognition or fingerprint matching. It's a convenient and secure way to log into your device. However, it's worth noting that not all webcams are compatible with Windows Hello.

Dynamic Lock

This feature automatically locks your device when you're away. In my tests, it worked as expected, providing an extra layer of security without any effort on my part.

Firewall & Network Protection

Microsoft Defender includes a robust firewall that protects your device from network-based threats. You can configure it for different network types:

• Domain (workplace) networks
• Private (findable) networks
• Public (non-findable) networks

Firewall settings for different network types: domain, private, or public network

During my Microsoft Defender review, what I found particularly useful was the ability to allow specific apps through the firewall. This came in handy when I needed to use a program that required network access.

The advanced firewall settings allow you to set specific apps to go through

The firewall also includes a network troubleshooter, which can be helpful if you're experiencing connectivity issues.

App & Browser Control

This feature helps protect your device from potentially dangerous apps, files, websites, and downloads. It comes with advanced exploit protection, as well.

App and browser control settings include smart app control, reputation-based protection, and more.

One standout feature is Smart App Control, which blocks malicious or untrusted apps. However, it's only available on new Windows 11 installations or after a PC reset.

Smart App Control settings for enhanced app protection

The reputation-based protection is another useful feature that leverages Microsoft's knowledge about various sites and publishers to protect you from potential threats.

The reputation-based protection options let you enable checking for apps and files on the web, and enabling SmartScreen for Microsoft Edge.

To test the web protection features, I accessed several known malicious websites. Microsoft Defender successfully blocked most of them, including:

• maliciouswebsitetest.com - blocked
• 13 out of 13 threats on wicar.org
• 14 out of 15 threats on amtso.org (all except the phishing test)
• All 4 threats on eicar.org

It's important to note that the web protection layer only works on Microsoft Edge, which could be a limitation for users who prefer other browsers.

Device Security

Microsoft Defender provides several built-in security options to protect your device from malicious software attacks.

The device security options in Microsoft Defender allow you to view core isolation details and more.

Key features include:

• Core isolation
• Memory integrity
• Security processor
• Secure boot

These features work together to provide a robust defense against various types of attacks, including rootkits and other sophisticated malware.

Device Performance & Health

Microsoft Defender doesn't just protect against threats; it also monitors your device's health and performance.

In the device performance and health report, you can see details about storage capacity, battery life, and other.

The Health report covers four key areas:

• Storage capacity
• Apps and software
• Battery life
• Windows Time service

I found this feature particularly useful for keeping my system running smoothly. It alerted me to potential issues before they became serious problems.

Family Options / Parental Controls

For those with children, Microsoft Defender offers family options to help manage their digital lives.

The Family options available in Microsoft Defender are varied but tricky to configure.

These controls allow you to:

• Create a family group
• Get activity reports of your kids' online activity
• Set screen time limits
• Manage your kids' spending in Microsoft Store

While these features are comprehensive, I found them a bit difficult to configure compared to some third-party parental control solutions.

Protection History

The Protection History page shows you all the actions Microsoft Defender has taken to protect your device.

Protection history showing recent security actions

This feature retains events for 15 days by default, giving you a good overview of recent security activities on your system.

System Performance Impact

One area where Microsoft Defender falls short of some third-party solutions is in its system resource usage. During a full scan, it consumes about 90% CPU power and 350 MB of RAM. This is significantly higher than the average of 25% CPU usage for other antivirus solutions.

While this high resource usage might not be noticeable on high-end systems, it could potentially slow down older or less powerful computers during scans.

Microsoft Defender Review: Conclusion

After spending two weeks for this Microsoft Defender review, it was my primary antivirus solution. I've come away impressed with its capabilities, especially considering it's a free, built-in tool.

Microsoft Defender provides solid protection against a wide range of threats, including malware and ransomware. Its user-friendly interface makes it easy for even novice users to manage their system's security. The integrated firewall is a strong point, offering robust protection against network-based attacks.

However, it's not without its limitations. The high system resource usage during scans could be an issue for some users. The web protection features only work with Microsoft Edge, which might be inconvenient if you prefer other browsers. Additionally, while the parental controls are comprehensive, they can be tricky to set up.

Overall, Microsoft Defender is a decent antivirus program that provides basic protection for your Windows device. For many users, especially those with newer, more powerful systems, it may be all the protection they need. However, power users or those with specific security requirements might want to consider supplementing it with additional security tools or a more feature-rich third-party antivirus solution.

When it comes to finding effective antivirus alternatives, consider Norton, Bitdefender, or McAfee. And don’t forget to explore our recommended list of best antivirus software for 2024.

Octav Fedor (Cybersecurity Editor)

Octav is a cybersecurity researcher and writer at AntivirusGuide. When he’s not publishing his honest opinions about security software online, he likes to learn about programming, watch astronomy documentaries, and participate in general knowledge competitions.