The Main Street Tech Report: Microsoft Says Third Party Antivirus Software Is No Longer Needed

The Main Street Tech Report: Microsoft Says Third Party Antivirus Software Is No Longer Needed

By Gene Marks
Publication Date: 2026-04-25 11:00:00

Welcome to The Main Street Tech Report, your weekly roundup of the most important small business technology news. Here are five key developments in AI, automation, and digital tools that emerged this week-and what they mean for your business.

Microsoft Officially Says You Don’t Need Extra Antivirus on Windows 11

Hans-Christian Dirscherl of PCWorld reports that Microsoft has announced Windows 11 users do not need to add third-party antivirus software. According to the company, Microsoft Defender – Windows 11 built-in protection software – has made it “the most secure Windows yet.” Defender is activated by default and continuously updates to protect against malware, suspicious downloads, and phishing websites. Microsoft suggests for those who run multiple devices or implement parental controls may want to add an extra layer of protection but for most users Windows Defender is enough, providing it’s…