Is there still any reason to use Windows Defender?

All these posts apart from great response by @NavyLCDR just seem to get into the perpetual is A better than B argument.

In reality, there is little to choose between any package these days in terms of VIRUSES which are a subset of the wider category of MALWARE. The wider category of malware is primarily focussed on click bait. No package can 100% protect against users common sense.

This is why I would install Win 10 S on some peoples pcs but I was shocked - a licence in UK is over £200!

xXWhackerXx said:

simply put, NO!

How can one answer NO or YES to this open ended question?

YES or NO are only valid answers for closed questions e.g does pure water freeze at 0 deg C?

The above question is open ended like "Does pure water boil at 100 deg C?".

Here the answer needs qualifying i.e. answer is "Yes at a system pressure of 1 atmosphere".

So simply put, your answer is meaningless without qualification. You are only stating an opinion.

Aside from all problems WD causes, it always scores the lowest, that never changes. The detection is nice, but if it is unable to remove it, what is the point? WD is the first thing I disable, after clean install on every computer.

Antivirus Lab Test Results Calculator: 10,000+ Lab Tests

Screenshot source: AV-Comparatives Removal-Test + MRG Effitas Online Banking Certification Q2 2017

ThrashZone said:

Hi,
I used MS security essentials and mbam pro for years without issue of course I give most of the credit to mbam pro not any MS product.

I switched to Panda free a few years ago and still use mbam pro/ premium and still have no issues.

Best part of the switch to Panda free is I don't have to deal with windows defenders very slow scanning anymore so it's a win win for me :)

So if someone thinks windows defender is good well that is also opinion :)
All I'm saying is a lot of free antivirus offerings are as good if not better than windows defender and is not the most important protection to have installed.
Malware protection seems the most important now days which mbam premium fits the bill nicely.

I chose Panda free mostly because it is lightweight and scanning time is pretty reasonable at less than an hour for a full scan :)
Windows defender would often take 2-3-4 hours and that is unacceptable.

Yep, I developed a keen interest in malware since Wannacry and not defending any AV as such (I even defended WD in some .. well 1 post, I think .. lol ) .. anyway it's good that a discussion around AV alternatives ensues in as much as each persons habits...

TairikuOkami said:

Aside from all problems WD causes, it always scores the lowest, that never changes. The detection is nice, but if it is unable to remove it, what is the point? WD is the first thing I disable, after clean install on every computer.

Antivirus Lab Test Results Calculator: 10,000+ Lab Tests

Screenshot source: AV-Comparatives Removal-Test + MRG Effitas Online Banking Certification Q2 2017

What is the point of quoting outdated tests....ie:- September when a completely new comprehensive version which includes exploit protection among other extras was released in the fall update.

Quoting removal figures is pointless.....far better to have been blocked in the first place.....I note Defender anti-virus have been included as among the best using your same testing sites at blocking in the wild.

You do appear to pick charts that suit your point of view.

What's the "User dependent" thing?

Superfly said:

What's the "User dependent" thing?

I suspect it means not using an alternative AV

dencal said:

I suspect it means not using an alternative AV

From what I guess from this:
" User-dependent cases are given half credit. For example, if a program blocks 80% by itself, and another 20% of cases are user-dependent we give half credit for the 20%, i.e. 10%, so it gets 90% altogether."

It's user blocked stuff... so false positives included.