For Windows 11 users, purchasing additional paid antivirus software may be unnecessary because the operating system itself includes Microsoft Defender. This built-in tool has demonstrated high results in independent tests and provides protection against common threats without needing a subscription.
Paid packages can be justified by the presence of additional features such as VPNs, password managers, and anti-fraud tools, which are useful for not all users.
There has been a significant evolution in protection: if in May and June 2015 Microsoft Antivirus scored only 0.5 out of six in the AV-Test rating, in the July and August 2026 tests it achieved the maximum score.
During testing, the program detected 100% of threats in both real attacks and distributed malware, while the industry averages were 99.9% and 100% respectively. These results indicate substantial progress, although independent tests do not guarantee the detection of all threats on any computer.
Defender, integrated into Windows Security, automatically scans applications and files and regularly receives security updates. Users can also manually run scans or analyze individual files.
Since basic protection is already built into Windows, manufacturers have begun to focus on other aspects of security. Problems are not limited to viruses; phishing pages, fraudulent messages, and misleading alerts can prompt users to reveal passwords or make erroneous payments.
Software packages vary depending on the type of subscription. For example, Norton 360 Deluxe includes parental controls, a VPN, and 50 GB of cloud storage. Malwarebytes offers additional ransomware and exploit protection features in its paid version.
These extra tools can be important for those who require enhanced protection. Before subscribing, one should assess exactly which features will actually be used:
Those who only need basic protection against viruses and common malware probably won't find enough reason to pay for all these extra capabilities.
Furthermore, the Microsoft Edge browser contributes to security through SmartScreen, which warns about suspicious websites and potentially dangerous downloads. The free version of Malwarebytes can be used for additional checks, allowing threat scanning without purchasing a paid plan.
There is also the issue of performance. In the tests mentioned by the original source, a full scan with Malwarebytes Premium reduced the frame rate in the game Cyberpunk 2077 from 87 to 75 FPS. With Bitdefender, the reduction was from 100 to 97 FPS. The impact depends on the program, the task being performed, and the computer's specifications.
Another point is that installing third-party antivirus with real-time protection usually disables Defender to avoid conflicts between tools.
For most users, maintaining a paid antivirus subscription out of habit is not advisable. Defender and browser protective features provide a free alternative for most common needs. An additional subscription only makes sense when its advanced features solve specific problems, rather than just because they are included in the package.
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