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-   -   The 2024 Anti-Virus software thread | Which anti-virus for Windows 11? (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/shifting-gears/287549-2024-anti-virus-software-thread-anti-virus-windows-11-a.html)

Am in the minority, but I love Microsoft Windows 11! Have customised it a bit (e.g. expanded right-click menu) and find it to be just as user-friendly as Windows 10. With many nicer features to boot.

Which is the best anti-virus in 2024 for Windows 11? Any recommendations?

Thanks in advance!

The Windows default security is good enough for me. I have a Microsoft OneDrive yearly subscription (Rs 1499/-) where I keep all my documents, in case my laptop conks out suddenly due to any hardware or software issues. I also keep my laptop very clean with very few apps (not even Chrome, only Edge). I personally don't see a use-case for additional anti-virus.

Anti-virus isn't specific to an OS version. So whatever worked well for you for Windows 10, should be good enough for Windows 11 too. If there are any additional requirements from Windows 11, I'm sure the anti-virus will update the software from it's end.

Although I'm happy to be corrected on the above from someone with more knowledge about the intricacies of the antivirus market.

Please checkout BITDEFENDER INTERNET SECURITY! Search for their India website and purchase from there. The software works flawlessly with great support and at a great price.

Windows has in-built virus scanner called Windows Defender. If you don't have this application for some reason, you can download it from Microsoft Store.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Micros...nder_Antivirus



After its implementation, most people stopped buying anti-virus software. That's why most anti-virus companies (Norton/MacAfee/Kaspersky etc) have turned their focus towards enterprise security solutions.

I use Windows 11 with inbuilt Windows Defender, I do not feel the need for any additional anti-virus software. I just keep the software updated with latest virus definitions through the Windows Update utility.

I don’t think an additional antivirus is required over the already present windows defender.
Before I switched to macbook, I had a Dell Inspiron which came inbuilt with a McAfee subscription. It was free only for the first year. As long as the Dell lasted, I was quite happy with McAfee.
I wouldn’t recommend Norton at all, haven’t had great experiences with it (probably due to data brokers and spam calls).

These days, other anti virus softwares are soft malwares themselves. Slowing down the PC, or hogging system resources.

The inbuilt Windows Defender is more than enough. Just stay sensible with where you browse and download from the internet, you should be good.

NEVER EVER pay for antivirus softwares.

I've used both Quickheal and Bitdefender. While Quickheal is a bit more expensive, it offers excellent antivirus protection, especially for ransomware, with Bitdefender as a close second. I once encountered a ransomware issue after downloading AnyDesk, which had been compromised at the time. Fortunately, with Quickheal Total Security installed, I was able to contact their customer support, and they helped me recover my PC.

I have Kaspersky and Nord VPN's threat protection is amazing as well.

Rightly said. For Windows 11 even corporates started using Microsoft Defender instead of MacAfee (a corporate favourite). Defender has all the protection one needs for free. The other Antivirus software are just spywares now. No point in paying for them.

I am forced to use Windows 11 sometimes due to corporate work else for personal use I prefer Mac. Apple Silicon just gives so much battery life that I sometimes forget to charge but still it gets the work done. Also performance is so much faster. This too without a need of Antivirus lol:

Haven't used any external antivirus software in more than a decade now. The Windows inbuilt one works fine.

1. Kasperksy Plus
2. BitDefender ( needs a powerful system , i5+16gb)
3. Quickheal (lightweight)

I use Kaspersky on my own PC. Kaspersky gives you full control if you know how to configure it well.Its interface is not user-friendly as others.

QuickHeal is what I install on most friend's PCs as it's lightweight, easy to configure and well known.

Bitdefender needs a powerful system, just like Norton and McAfee.

if the user is a simple guy who uses his PC for email and MS-Office, doesn't connect random pendrives, and doesn't visit risky websites, then Windows Defender is good enough.
Sq
my thoughts though.

I'm using Quickheal Total Security for my both home laptops. I got it (2 PC / 3 Years) from Amazon for around 2.6k in 2022. You can check it on Amazon. It is around 2.7k now. With Total Secuirty, you can scan your phone also for viruses and threats.

It's perfect for me as I download lot of stuff via torrents on my personal laptop. lol:

Over the last 3 years, i realized that external Anti Virus like the McAfees of the world simply make your system slower, are resource hungry and drain your battery. I have been using MS Defender for the last 3 years and there is no issue till now. Critical things to keep in mind

1. No unauthorized software installed. MS OFfice work work related, VLC and Foobar does the work for media files. I love to listen to music and have a fairly large collection of lossless audio. I love books and manage my library with Calibre. And finally have Telegram app downloaded again to connect with work related chaps. Rest apps like Whatapp, Spotify are through web browser - Edge. No other web browsers

2. All my files are stored in One Drive. By any chance if there is an issue with virus, Onedrive takes care of the file. If I need to receive bulk files from others, I create a share folder on Onedrive and ask them to drop the files there. Onedrive takes care of malware/antivirus check