Microsoft defender ?

[REDACTED]

Hi fellow Avast users,

I am a newcomer to Avast (previously used Norton)and have become a fan of the free product. That said when I look at AV comparatives' real world test, it seems Microsoft's base product has gotten much better over the years. So why not just use Defender? Has anyone here thought about switching? Thoughts are welcome.

[bob3160]

Definitely not.

[DavidR]

Absolutely, NOT

The avast free version has looked after my systems for just over 14 years.

[mchain]

Avast Free is better than Defender, imo.  https://www.avast.com/en-us/compare-antivirus

A full-fledged antivirus for free?  Priceless. 

No malware infections since 2008.  Can/could Defender say/do that?

[CraigB]

I find Defenders protection is up there with the best of them, personal use and statistics prove that.

Where Defender does lack is it's slower scanning of files, a little heavier on the system so to speak.

[Asyn]

1. I find Defenders protection is up there with the best of them, personal use and statistics prove that.
2. Where Defender does lack is it's slower scanning of files, a little heavier on the system so to speak.

1. Hi Craig, If we're talking about WD on W10, I agree - it's quite good now.
2. From my experience, it's not a "little heavier" but much heavier on resources.

[CraigB]

1. I find Defenders protection is up there with the best of them, personal use and statistics prove that.
2. Where Defender does lack is it's slower scanning of files, a little heavier on the system so to speak.

1. Hi Craig, If we're talking about WD on W10, I agree - it's quite good now.
2. From my experience, it's not a "little heavier" but much heavier on resources.

Yeah Win 10 is what I'm referring too some of the low end systems I manage definitely take a resource hit with Defender though it's barely noticeable if any on the more powerful systems.

[schmidthouse]

imho, WD is not in the same league as the Avast Software even in W10 (although it has gotten better)/ Avast has protected my OS's since 2001
I've never had any malware/virus while using Avast.

[Asyn]

...though it's barely noticeable if any on the more powerful systems.

Well, I saw high end systems bog down with WD, but as always in IT - your mileage may vary.