Microsoft Defender is a built-in feature of Windows 10 and Windows 11, providing millions of users worldwide with basic protection against viruses, malware, and other digital threats at no cost. But how does this integrated antivirus solution measure up to established programs like Bitdefender, Kaspersky, or Norton?
What is Microsoft Defender?
Microsoft Defender (formerly known as Windows Defender) is Microsoftโs integrated security solution. Without the need for additional installations, it offers:
Real-time protection against viruses, trojans, and ransomware
Automatic updates via Windows Update
Resource-efficient background operation
This makes it a convenient solution, especially for home users: no configuration, no licensesโprotection is activated right away.
How Well Does It Protect in Everyday Use?
Microsoft Defender has seen significant improvements in recent years. According to AV-Test (February 2025), it scored a perfect 18 out of 18 points in protection, performance, and usability. In AV-Comparatives’ test (September 2024), it achieved an excellent online detection rate of 99.84%โa strong result for a free tool.
However, its offline detection rate sits at just 68.8%. So if you frequently work without internet access, it may be worth exploring alternatives.
Microsoft Defender Compared to Other Antivirus Solutions
Defender vs. Bitdefender: Bitdefender Total Security offers:
Very high malware detection rates
Built-in VPN
Parental controls and system optimization tools
Bitdefender is ideal for users seeking more advanced features and convenience. Microsoft Defender, by contrast, remains a minimalist and free alternative for everyday use.
Defender vs. Kaspersky: Kaspersky stands out with:
Strong detection capabilities
A user-friendly interface
Extras like a password manager and secure online payment features
However, Germanyโs BSI (Federal Office for Information Security) continues to advise against using the Russian software. Microsoft Defender, on the other hand, is considered privacy-compliant and trustworthy.
Defender vs. Norton 360: Norton 360 delivers a comprehensive security package with:
VPN
Cloud backup
Password manager
Parental controls
Microsoft Defender offers fewer features but makes up for it with simplicity and low resource usage.
How to Enable or Disable Microsoft Defender
To Enable:
Open โSettingsโ
Go to โPrivacy & Securityโ > โWindows Securityโ
Select โVirus & Threat Protectionโ
Under โManage Settings,โ turn Microsoft Defender on
To Disable: In the same section, you can temporarily turn off protection. This is only advisable if another antivirus program is installed.
What is Microsoft Defender Smartscreen?
Smartscreen is a security filter that:
Blocks malicious websites
Warns about suspicious downloads
Provides extra protection while browsing the web
If needed, you can disable it in โApp & Browser Controlโ under the Windows Security settings.
Microsoft Defender on Other Platforms
With an active Microsoft 365 subscription, Microsoft Defender is also available for macOS, Android, and iOS. The mobile version offers web protection, device monitoring, and more.
Pricing:
Windows: Free
Microsoft 365 Family (6 users): approx. โฌ129/year
Microsoft 365 Single (1 user): approx. โฌ99/year
Conclusion
Microsoft Defender has evolved into a serious security contender. For many home users, its built-in protection is more than sufficient. However, those who seek advanced features and more control will find suitable alternatives in Bitdefender, Norton, and others.
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In May 2025 Skype will officially retire. This change affects both free and paid Skype users, though Skype for Business isnโt impacted.
If youโre a Skype user, youโve got a smooth transition option: Microsoft Teams Free.
It brings over many of Skypeโs core features – plus some extras.
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Just sign into Teams Free with your Skype
account, and your chats and contacts will pop up, letting you jump right back
in. This switch will roll out step-by-step over the next few days for users on
the latest versions of Skype and Teams. Not convinced by Teams Free? No worries
– you can export your Skype data instead.
Hereโs the deal for paid Skype
features:
If youโve got an active recurring subscription
(like calling or a Skype Number) that ends before April 3, 2025,
itโll renew one last time.
If your subscription runs past April 3,
2025, you can keep using it – and your Skype Number – until it expires. Want
to hold onto that number afterward? Youโll need to transfer it to a new
provider. Contact them directly to get the ball rolling.
One more thing: new
customers wonโt be able to buy paid Skype features moving forward. For existing
paid users, the Skype Dial Pad will still be available starting in May via the
Skype web portal or within Teams Free.
Switching to Teams Free? Itโs easy!
Moving from Skype to Microsoft
Teams Free is simpleโhereโs how it works:
Just sign into Teams Free with your current
Skype account. No need to start from scratch – your chats and contacts will
automatically show up.
Once you log in with your Skype credentials,
your chats and contacts transfer over to Teams Free without any extra steps.
The sync happens fast – think less than a
minute – and youโre good to go!
A Few Things to Know:
Chats between Skype users and Teams work or
school accounts wonโt carry over. No biggie – ust start a fresh conversation in
Teams Free with those work or school folks and unlock even more features.
Skype-to-Skype for Business chat history wonโt
make the trip.
One-on-one chats with yourself (yep, those
self-notes) wonโt transfer.
Private conversation data stays behind too.
Copilot and bot content? Not supported in Teams
Free, so no chat history there either.
Will You Lose Skype Access
After Switching?
No! Signing into Teams Free
doesnโt lock you out of Skype. From now until May 5, 2025, you can still hop
into Skype whenever you want, and your data will stay accessible. Use both apps
as much as you need during this transition window.
What Happens to Your Data?
Your Skype data isnโt going
anywhere just yet – youโve got until January 2026 to export or delete it. If you
log into Teams Free before then, your call and chat history will be waiting for
you. But if you donโt take any action, your Skype data will be wiped in January
2026.
Alternatives for calls to landlines and mobile
Google Voice:
Overview: A versatile VoIP service from Google that allows calls to landlines and mobiles.
Landline Calling: Offers free calls to landlines in the US and Canada; international calls to landlines are available at low per-minute rates (e.g., as low as 1ยข/minute to some countries).
Features: Provides a personal phone number, voicemail, and texting. Works across devices via app or browser.
Cost: Free for US/Canada landline calls; international calls require credit.
Why Itโs a Good Alternative: Simple to use with a Google account, no additional software needed beyond the app, and competitive international rates.
Viber (Viber out)
Overview: Primarily a messaging app, but its “Viber Out” feature supports calls to landlines.
Landline Calling: Free calls between Viber users; calls to landlines worldwide require a Viber Out subscription or credits (e.g., rates start at around 1.9ยข/minute to US landlines).
Features: Includes messaging, video calls, and group chats. Available on mobile and desktop.
Cost: Viber-to-Viber is free; landline calls require prepaid credits or a subscription (e.g., $5/month for 500 minutes to certain countries).
Why Itโs a Good Alternative: Affordable rates and a familiar interface for Skype users.