If all you want to do is keep out malware, Microsoft Defender will do it. Thankfully, Windows 8.1, Windows 10 and Windows 11 all come with the built-in Microsoft Defender Antivirus (aka Windows Defender), which just a few years ago was terrible but now is one of the best free antivirus programs available.
Windows gets attacked much more often than any other software platform, and using a PC without antivirus software is asking for trouble, especially if that computer is always online. Got a Windows PC? You'll need one of the best antivirus programs, free or paid.
