Windows 11 has been a phenomenal upgrade; we’re delighted with the sleek UI overhauls, an all-new Start menu, Android smartphone integration, Widgets, and much more. New features and enhancements have made the highly anticipated Windows 11 update worthwhile.
Moreover, there has also been a significant leap in how secure the latest version of Windows is. According to Microsoft, Windows 11 is their most secure operating system released to date. But does that mean you no longer need an antivirus for your Windows 11 device?
Windows 11’s First Line of Defense: TPM 2.0
The Trusted Platform Module (TPM) was a lesser-known hardware-based security feature that rose to prominence with the release of Windows 11. Windows 11 needs a processor that is compatible with TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot and will deem your PC incompatible if these demands aren’t met. TPM is essentially a hardware chip located on your system’s motherboard that stores cryptographic functions. With TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot enabled, malware can no longer attack your Windows 11 system during the booting process. These hardware-based security measures completely eliminate a whole range of dangerous malware.
Windows 11’s Built-In Antivirus, Microsoft Defender
Windows 11 comes pre-installed with a dedicated antivirus—Microsoft Defender. From being the laughing stock of the cybersecurity world, Microsoft Defender has now gained a reputation for being a stellar antivirus software. Even AV-TEST declared it one of the best performing antivirus software in the market. Microsoft Defender is free, provides efficient real-time and web protection, and does not need to be configured separately. You can even set up Smart App Control to enhance your PC’s protection against untrusted services and applications, although people with older systems will need to reset Windows 11 to install Smart App Control.
Do You Need Third-Party Antivirus Programs for Windows 11?
With the security capability of Microsoft Defender combined with the hardware security requirements of Windows 11, you get the most secure Windows ever.
However, despite its grandeur, Microsoft Defender does not protect you against lesser malware such as adware, and its real-time protection is known to flag clean programs and files falsely. It also does not offer significant protection against ransomware, which can have severe consequences.
As such, if you want to be wholly protected against malware, it would be better to use third-party antivirus software and combine it with the security features of Windows Security. There are many great antivirus programs for Windows 11 that you can choose from, such as Bitdefender, Avast, AVG, and Kaspersky.
Best Third-Party Antivirus for Windows 11
While Microsoft Defender is incredible, it isn’t perfect. So it makes sense to invest in budget-friendly antivirus program to enhance your malware protection on Windows 11.