By Hans-Christian Dirscherl
Publication Date: 2026-04-21 14:24:00
Summary created by Smart Answers AI
In summary:
- Microsoft officially states that Windows Defender provides sufficient antivirus protection for most Windows 11 users without requiring third-party software.
- PCWorld reports that Defender comes built-in, runs by default, and continuously updates to protect against malicious files and phishing sites.
- Power users seeking specialized features may still benefit from third-party antivirus, though running multiple programs simultaneously can cause performance conflicts.
Virtually every Windows user wonders at one point or another: Do I need a third-party antivirus app in addition to Windows 11’s built-in Microsoft Defender? Do I need any antivirus protection at all?
In a blog post from earlier this month, Microsoft goes on the record and claims that Microsoft Defender is enough for most users and no additional antivirus software is needed for Windows 11.
Unsurprisingly, Microsoft states that Windows 11 is “the most secure Windows…