Do you still need third-party antivirus on your Windows PC?

Microsoft Defender offers great protection from malware -- but there are other online threats you might want to consider, too.

I've been testing antivirus protection since the 1980s, and I’ve consistently recommended securing your devices with a strong antivirus—yes, even a free one can do the job. In a recent post, Microsoft ...

To disable Microsoft Defender on Windows 11, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Windows Security > Virus & Threat Protection, click Manage Settings, and toggle off ...

The newly disclosed Windows Defender flaw, tracked as CVE-2026-50656, could let attackers escalate privileges on fully ...

In a proof-of-concept, a security researcher demonstrated how the Windows Security Center API can be used to block the scans by Microsoft’s built-in antivirus tool. Windows Defender can be tricked ...

Antivirus software is necessary to install on a computer as it offers protection against several threats that can harm a computer. Windows 11/10 computers come with a built-in free antivirus software, ...

Compare the best free antivirus tools for Windows 10 in 2026, including real-time malware protection, phishing defense, ransomware protection, VPN limits, ...

Why it matters: A lot of people opt for Microsoft Defender as their default antivirus software, given that it comes as part of the Windows OS. But according to a new assessment of several different ...

When you launch Windows Security on Windows 11, you may see a message You’re using other antivirus providers. This prevents you from activating the Real-time protection of Windows Defender against ...

Best Antivirus Best Antivirus Software for Windows PCs in 2026 Discover the highest ranked antivirus programs for Windows 10 and 11. See whether you need to save or splurge to protect your device, ...