Do You Need Antivirus Software for Windows 11?

Chances are, if you’re not running a Mac, you’re using Windows 11. According to StatsCounter, Windows 11 PCs make up 36.35% of all Windows machines. While antivirus software has always been recommended, with an increased threat of phishing, ransomware attacks and malware, you’ll want to make sure your devices are protected. So, if you’re using Windows 11, you’ll want an antivirus solution as part of your cybersecurity toolkit. Here’s why you should be using antivirus, and what software to get. 

You should absolutely be using antivirus for Windows 11. Here’s why

Cybercrime is a trillion-dollar industry, and Windows machines are the most popular targets for malware. This makes it essential to have antivirus software in place if you’re using a Windows machine connected to the internet.

Luckily, Windows 11 comes with Windows Security, which includes Microsoft Defender antivirus. Microsoft Defender (previously Windows Defender) is automatically enabled when you set up Windows 11, so you don’t have to do anything to ensure basic protection for your data. Microsoft Defender is also free, making it the best antivirus option for most Windows users.

Why Microsoft Defender is the best antivirus option for the average user

Microsoft Defender has earned consistently high marks in all three AV-Test categories (protection, performance and usability) throughout 2023 and 2024. Defender provides real-time protection from viruses and can also perform four types of malware scans:

• Quick Scan: A brief scan that looks at folders where threats are most commonly found, such as your Downloads folder.
• Full Scan: A comprehensive check of all folders, files and programs on your computer. These scans often take over an hour to complete.
• Custom Scan: A scan that lets you pick specific files, folders and programs to check for viruses and other malware.
• Microsoft Defender Antivirus: A specialized offline scan for finding hard-to-identify malware. This can take around 15 minutes and automatically restarts your computer.

You can run these scans through the Windows Security dashboard at any time, and Microsoft Defender will automatically run regular scans for you as well.

Windows Security provides a solid cybersecurity foundation

Microsoft Defender antivirus is part of the Windows Security suite, which offers several additional security features, including:

• Account protection: Settings for biometric logins (facial recognition or fingerprint), PIN codes, physical security keys and other tools that make it difficult for malicious users to access your Windows account.
• Firewall protection: Filtration software that scans data sent to your computer and attempts to block malware like antiviruses. You can customize how the firewall interacts with various networks (like your home network and the network at the coffee shop you like to work in) and allow specific apps (like a VPN) through the firewall.
• App and browser control: Automated protocols that block malicious websites and files. Some of these settings only apply to Microsoft Edge.

These features are similar to what you’ll get with other free antivirus tools.

Pros and cons of Microsoft Defender and Windows Security

Pros:

• Automatically installed and enabled with Windows 11
• Broad range of scan types
• Automated scans
• Additional account and device security features available in Windows Security suite

Cons:

• Scheduling scans is difficult
• Some browser security settings only apply to Microsoft Edge
• Lacks other privacy or security tools like a VPN and password manager

Windows Security and Microsoft Defender may not be enough for folks with critical security concerns 

Microsoft Defender’s AV-Test scores, while high, aren’t always perfect. Defender received a 5.5 out of 6 for protection in two 2024 tests, while top competitors like McAfee and Bitdefender received perfect 6 out of 6 protection scores in all 2024 tests.

The additional Windows Security tools are also limited. You won’t get effective protection from ransomware (attacks that take your files hostage and demand you buy them back) or phishing (a technique of sending misleading emails that convince you to share personal data). You also won’t get the full benefit of the browser security tools if you’re not using Microsoft Edge.

The Windows Defender interface is also not the greatest. It’s easy to navigate, but some features aren’t available through the main interface. Instead, you’ll need to use other apps for these functions. For example, you’ll need to use the Task Scheduler app — a separate and more intimidating program — to schedule future scans.

You might want to use a different antivirus tool if:

• You use your computer for work or storing sensitive data
• You want a different interface that makes it easier to do things like scheduling antivirus scans
• You want more comprehensive protection against things like ransomware and phishing
• You have children and want to place parental controls on their device(s)
• You want to protect your phone as well as your computer

Best practices for protecting your Windows computer

There are a few other things you can do to protect your data:

• Turn off Windows Ad ID: This software monitors device usage to personalize the ads you see in Windows apps. You can turn this feature off through Settings menu > Privacy and Security > Windows Permissions > General Information.
• Modify data access permissions: You can use the Windows Permissions menu to prevent Windows from recording information related to voice recognition and handwriting features. You can also stop providing feedback to Microsoft and block its access to your device history.
• Pay attention to app permissions: Disable camera and microphone permissions for any apps that don’t absolutely need them. You can do this in Settings Menu > Privacy and Security > App permissions. You should also pay close attention to the permissions granted to any new apps you download during the installation process.
• Turn off Copilot: Microsoft’s AI assistant, Copilot, is automatically enabled on all Windows devices. Copilot monitors all of your activity and may pose a privacy risk, especially if you’re storing sensitive data or working under NDAs. You can disable Copilot through the Group Policy Editor, which you’ll find by opening the search menu and searching for GPEdit.

You can also use tools like a password manager and VPN to further protect your online activities.

CNET’s top antivirus software for Windows 11

Like

• Unlimited devices covered on all McAfee Plus plans
• Text scam detector
• Web protection
• VPN
• Password manager
• Identity theft protection and insurance on some plans

Don’t like

• Full scan takes a long time
• Older computers may experience performance issues during active scans

McAfee is one of the oldest antivirus companies and its longevity is well-earned. AV-Test gave McAfee a 6 out of 6 ranking in all three categories for most of its 2024 tests. The October 2024 test was the only one with an imperfect ranking — a 5.5 out of 6 — in the Usability category, and the protection and performance rankings were still perfect.

Why we like it

McAfee Plus Premium offers more than just an antivirus tool with near-perfect AV-Test results. You’ll get web protection to prevent malicious websites from accessing your data or downloading malicious files onto your computer, plus a VPN to keep your personal data safe. You’ll also get a password manager to help you create and store secure passwords.

All McAfee Plus Premium features are available for unlimited devices and work with Windows, Android, MacOS and iOS. This sets it apart from other paid antivirus tools, which typically increase their prices based on the number of devices you want coverage for.

Who it’s best for

McAfee Plus Premium is your best choice if you have a lot of devices and you want comprehensive protection for all of them.

Pricing

McAfee Plus Premium starts at $50 for the first year and renews at $150 per year. This plan covers unlimited devices — a level of coverage you can’t get for this price anywhere else — and includes the core antivirus software, VPN and password manager.

You can spring for the McAfee Plus Advanced plan, priced at $90 for the first year (renews at $200 per year) to get comprehensive identity theft protection. This protection includes bank and credit card transaction monitoring, credit monitoring, expert-assisted identity restoration and $1 million of identity theft insurance.

Like

• Easy on PC resources
• Unlimited VPN
  Password manager
• Comprehensive internet and device protection
• Identity theft protection and restoration on some plans

Don’t like

• Firewall protection and performance tools are only available for Windows

Bitdefender offers a variety of security services ranging from solo antivirus software to comprehensive packages that protect every aspect of your digital life.

Why we like it

Bitdefender consistently earns high marks from AV-Test, with perfect scores for protection and usability in the last four rounds of testing. Performance scores are consistently high as well, with the lowest recent score being a 5.5 out of 6 in October 2024.

The Bitdefender Ultimate Security package includes antivirus coverage for up to 5 devices, with the ability to protect Windows, MacOS, iOS and Android. You’ll also get a VPN, password manager, parental controls, email protection for local tools like Outlook, an autopilot tool to help you understand how secure your computer is and webcam protection.

Furthermore, Bitdefender offers a One-click Optimizer to help you speed up your device and a Battery Mode tool for configuring the power allotment of individual device functions to improve battery life for a laptop. However, these tools are only available for Windows at this time.

Who it’s best for

Bitdefender Ultimate Security is a great option if extras like parental controls and webcam protection are important to you.

Pricing

Bitdefender Ultimate Security costs $90 for the first year ($160 per year on renewal) and provides antivirus protection, plus most other Bitdefender security tools, for up to 5 devices. However, this plan doesn’t include identity theft protection. You’ll have to pay $30 extra per year for Bitdefender’s financial fraud protection.

Like

• Free for unlimited devices
• Phishing and ransomware protection
• Software updater for Windows
• Security browser extension for popular Windows browsers
• Password manager

Don’t like

• Some tools are only available for Windows users
• Browser extension isn’t available for Safari
• Dashboard includes some aggressive upsells

Avira Free Antivirus is powered by the same core antivirus engine used by Avira Internet Security, which is widely considered one of the best antivirus tools on the market. Avira consistently earns high rankings on AV-Test, with perfect scores on the three most recent tests.

Why we like it

You can use Avira Free Antivirus to protect unlimited devices across Windows, Android, MacOS and iOS. You’ll also get more than the core antivirus software, including protection from ransomware and phishing.

Windows users can further benefit from access to a software updater, which finds and updates out-of-date software to improve system security. A browser extension available for most popular Windows browsers blocks trackers — including ad trackers — and unsafe sites, while the Avira password manager improves your account security. However, these tools aren’t available for MacOS or Safari.

Who it’s best for

Avira Free Antivirus is the best free antivirus, making it an excellent alternative to Microsoft Defender if you’re on a tight budget.

Pricing

Free or $35 for Avira Internet Security.

Factors to consider when choosing antivirus software

Effectiveness

You can determine an antivirus software’s effectiveness by looking at its scores on AV-Test, a third-party testing platform that evaluates antivirus tools for protection, performance and usability. You can view the tests going several years back to see if a specific antivirus has consistent scores.

At a minimum, your antivirus should reliably score top marks in the protection category. Some tools also reliably earn top marks in the performance and usability categories, ensuring a smooth user experience.

Impact on system resources

Your antivirus shouldn’t put a lot of pressure on your RAM or CPU. If you experience more than a mild slow-down of other apps while running a scan — or if you notice programs are slower after installation even when you’re not running a scan — you’ll want to switch to another program.

You’ll often find information about system resource usage in antivirus reviews, but it’s important to install the program and test it on your own system to see how well it works with your setup. Most antivirus tools offer either a free edition, free trial or money-back guarantee to make this possible.

Privacy

Antivirus programs need to monitor your device activity and check it against company servers to identify unusual patterns or harmful software. The best antivirus companies not only refuse to sell this data but actively go out of their way to anonymize your data as much as possible. You can read the privacy policy of any antivirus you’re considering to learn more about how they’ll protect your data.

Protection for other platforms

Our focus is on Windows because Windows is the biggest target for malware, but other platforms can be targeted too. You may want to seek out an antivirus that also offers protection for Android or iOS devices so you can protect your phone as well as your computer.

Bundled services

Some antivirus companies offer full security suites with tools like browser safety extensions, password managers and VPNs. You can purchase one of these bundles to fully secure all of your digital activity.

Cost and discounts

Most antivirus companies offer introductory discounts for your first year. This can save you $50 to $100, but you’ll need to mark the renewal date on your calendar and factor the higher renewal fee into your budget.

Many antivirus companies suggest 10-device plans by default. You can save money by choosing a plan that covers fewer devices if you’re only trying to protect one computer and one phone.