Best antivirus software for Windows 11

If you regularly visit and download apps from unsafe, non-credible or unfamiliar sources, or if you care about your online safety while using Windows 11, I recommend getting antivirus software.

Dedicated antivirus solutions focus on dealing with malware and other cyber threats by quickly adapting to the changing landscape. Meanwhile, default security software like Windows Security (previously known as Windows Defender) is usually less feature-packed and takes longer to adjust. After all, Windows Security is free, meaning it doesn’t have as many resources allocated to it as premium antivirus services. There’s also Microsoft Defender, which, confusingly, is Microsoft’s paid antivirus software included in its Microsoft 365 package.

To help you choose the best antivirus for your Windows 11 computer, the Cybernews research team and I spent numerous days testing and evaluating antivirus software. I was impressed by some of the antivirus's performance, and I will discuss our findings further below.

My top-rated antivirus programs for Windows 11

1. TotalAV Antivirus – best antivirus for Windows 11 overall
2. Norton Antivirus – Windows 11 antivirus for malware removal
3. Bitdefender Antivirus – excellent virus and malware protection for Windows computers
4. Avira Antivirus – beginner-friendly antivirus for Windows OS
5. AVG Antivirus – best free antivirus for Windows 11

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Why do you need more than Microsoft Security?

You need more protection on Windows 11 computers than Microsoft Security because the software is pretty bare-bones and lacking in essential features. At best, the software warns you when you’re about to visit a dangerous website or download malware. However, it won’t protect you if you ignore its warnings and visit malicious sites or download viruses.

Before we move on, it’s essential to address the difference between Windows Defender, Windows Security, and Microsoft Defender. Currently, Windows Defender is an outdated name for the Windows operating system’s built-in security software. Instead, it’s now called Windows Security and comes preinstalled on all Windows 11 devices. Meanwhile, Microsoft Defender is a paid service you can purchase separately or with the Microsoft 365 package.

Interestingly, many third-party antivirus labs test Microsoft Defender’s capabilities and not Windows Security. As such, it’s difficult for consumers to get some data on whether Windows Security is even effective. However, I believe we can rightfully assume its effectiveness by checking Microsoft Defender’s results.

The latest June 2024 results from AV-TEST show that Microsoft Defender Antivirus is quite good. The software garnered top scores in performance and usability categories, while protection was off by only half a point.

Meanwhile, results from AV-Comparatives weren’t so favorable for Microsoft Defender in the site’s March 2024 Malware Protection test. The software performed poorly regarding offline malware detection and had 18 false alarms. On the plus side, the online protection rate was 99.94%, giving Microsoft Defender an Advanced rating from AV-Comparatives.

So, while Microsoft Defender is pretty good according to outside sources, it’s unlikely that Windows Security will deliver similar security results. After all, why would anyone buy Microsoft Defender if Windows Security was just as if not more effective? So, I would advise investing in a well-performing premium antivirus service that shows greater effectiveness than Microsoft Defender.

Expert comment

Nijolė Simaitienė

Tech copywriter and security expert

A good third-party antivirus suite does way more than an in-built OS security tool can offer. If only identifying existing threats is not enough, I always recommend opting for a reliable antivirus with excellent real-time protection and multiple additional features.

To boost my device’s security and get more protection online, I always look for additional features, including a password manager, a VPN, parental controls, dark web monitoring, an ad blocker, and other security tools.

TotalAV is my top choice, as it not only ensures excellent protection, but also gives all the extras at a very affordable price.

The best antivirus for Windows 11 – detailed list

Together with our research team, I reviewed more than two dozen antivirus solutions for Windows 11. We assessed real-time protection, scan capabilities, extra security features, and other essential criteria during the evaluations. Most of the services I recommend offer free versions, which is one of the primary reasons users continue using Microsoft Defender.

1. TotalAV – best antivirus for Windows 11 overall

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TotalAV is the best Antivirus for Windows 11 in 2024 according to our numerous tests over the years. Although it has no exclusive Windows 11 features, it provides the best price-to-performance ratio overall, meaning you get the best amount of essential security features at an affordable price. Plus, the provider’s entire feature arsenal works on all supported platforms, making it a great all-rounder.

Firstly, let’s discuss the results of our latest August 2024 TotalAV tests focusing on Windows 11 features. We started with the smart scan, which detected 7 out of 10 malware samples in roughly 3 minutes. The speed is pretty impressive, but I’m sure most users would prefer more effective detection. The Windows 11 app also includes System Scan, which is meant to be more thorough than Smart Scan. For us, the scan took 15 minutes, while the CPU load fluctuated between 8% to 50%. Unfortunately, the lengthier scan found only 7 malware samples out of 10, making it as ineffective as Smart Scan.

Still, one test doesn’t necessarily indicate that an antivirus is ineffective. I recommend reading our in-depth TotalAV review to learn more about our previous tests and the provider’s overall features. Additionally, you should check the latest third-party TotalAV evaluations on AV-TEST and AV-Comparatives, where the antivirus showed stellar results.

TotalAV’s Windows 11 app is minimalistic and intuitive. The left side of the interface includes the navigation menu with six items – malware protection, internet security, system tune-up, password vault, family sharing, and settings. Malware protection is the primary menu to check the quarantined file status and start scanning your system.

TotalAV is ideal for customers who need reliable and affordable protection for all sorts of operating systems and not just Windows 11. The service’s features are available on every supported platform, meaning all your devices will enjoy the same cybersecurity level without causing inconvenience or confusion.

TotalAV’s subscription prices are excellent, starting at only $19.00/year. However, the starting plan doesn’t unlock all of its features, so consider paying more to unlock its VPN, ad blocker, and password manager.

2. Norton 360 – antivirus for Windows 11 for malware removal

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Norton 360 is a well-rounded Windows 11 antivirus service with great Windows-specific features for improved security and convenience.

Our latest round of Norton AV tests showed interesting results. As the name suggests, the quick scan required less than one minute to do its job. Sadly, it didn’t find any of our 10 malware samples. Luckily, the full scan fared much better and detected 8 malware samples, more than TotalAV’s in-depth scan. This one took roughly 20 minutes to scan everything, while the CPU load was relatively high, between 70% and 96%, rendering the computer pretty unusable for other tasks. On the other hand, Norton 360 garnered top scores in all categories in the latest June 2024 AV-TEST round of independent testing.

We detail all of Norton’s features in our Norton 360 Antivirus review. Regarding Windows 11, customers gain anti-phishing & exploit protection, PC cloud backup, and PC SafeCam. The cloud storage is unique among Windows 11 antiviruses and allows you to store up to 2GB of backup files in the cloud. I think this is more than enough for life’s most crucial documents. Meanwhile, SafeCam blocks unauthorized access to your webcam, which is a great perk if you’re a frequent guest at various video conferences.

Norton 360 is the only Windows 11 antivirus on this list that offers secure cloud storage as a bonus. As such, I recommend this service if you need an antivirus that can also act as a file storage service.

Norton 360's starting costs ($29.99/year) are comparable to Bitdefender’s and Avira’s, making it relatively affordable but not as cheap as TotalAV. While Norton lacks a free plan, the 60-day money-back guarantee is an excellent alternative for risk-free testing.

3. Bitdefender – exceptional antivirus protection for Windows 11

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Bitdefender is a robust Windows 11 antivirus service with excellent Windows-specific tools to keep your PC intact.

We recently tested Bitdefender’s scanning capabilities, and the results were mixed. The quick scan was pretty fast and took only 3.5 minutes to complete. Unfortunately, it didn’t find any of the malware samples we planted in the system. Meanwhile, the full system scan took an entire hour to scan everything, during which time the CPU load fluctuated between 50% and 100%. Thankfully, all this effort wasn’t in vain because Bitdefender found 9 out of 10 malware samples, which is the best scanning result so far from the latest tests. If you need more proof regarding Bitdefender’s effectiveness, the provider collected perfect scores in the latest June 2024 AV-TEST round of evaluations.

You can analyze Bitdefender’s entire feature arsenal in our complete Bitdefender review. This article focuses on its unique Windows 11 features, starting with the Vulnerability Scan, which checks for potential security risks across apps, networks, and Windows updates. It ensures you’re not automatically connecting to unsecured networks, using weak encryption, and recommends steps to fix any found issues. Another interesting extra is Cryptomining Protection, which ensures no unauthorized crypto-mining software is installed on your PC. Finally, the Rescue Environment is provided for dealing with stubborn malware like rootkits, which is difficult to remove by conventional means.

Bitdefender is ideal for Windows users looking for an affordable antivirus service with plenty of extra features to protect against uncommon threats. The service has many subscription plans, and prices start at only $9.99/year. Depending on the plan you pick, you can connect up to 15 devices. Plus, there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee if you want to test anything yourself.

4. Avira Antivirus – reliable and easy-to-use Windows 11 security software

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Avira Antivirus is my recommended Windows 11 antivirus service for beginners. It has an easy-to-use interface and compelling features for protecting your device.

Avira performed adequately in our latest round of tests. The quick scan was reasonably fast and took 5 minutes, yet it found none of the research team’s malware samples. On the other hand, the full scan took only 14 minutes and found 8 out of 10 malware samples, which is pretty good. One drawback is that the CPU load was in the 90% to 100% range, rendering the computer unusable during the scan. Regarding third-party tests, Avira garnered near-perfect scores in the latest June 2024 AV-TEST evaluation, losing only half a point in the performance category.

Avira’s complete feature set is outlined in our in-depth Avira Antivirus review. Here, let’s discuss its Windows-specific features. Firstly, you have Automatic Software Updates, which ensures your apps are up-to-date and free from potential security flaws. Secondly, there’s web and email protection to protect you from malware-laden websites and phishing attacks. Finally, there are other tools to optimize PC performance, including registry cleaning, battery optimization, and game performance.

Personally, I’m a fan of Windows Privacy Settings Customization, which is a centralized hub for controlling your PC’s various privacy settings. It allows you to adjust your browser history settings and minimize the amount of personal data Microsoft collects about you. As such, I recommend this antivirus service specifically to privacy-conscious Windows users.

Starting at $26.99/year, the cheapest version offers basic antivirus features – and the more premium plans come with a software updater, PC speed, and tune-up tools. All in all, Avira offers a solid all-around package based on your needs.

5. AVG Antivirus – solid Windows 11 antivirus with a free version

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AVG would be my go-to option if I needed a free antivirus for Windows 11. Its free tier offers all the essentials for securing your PC against the most common threats. You can also upgrade to the paid tier if you need additional perks.

AVG fared reasonably well in our latest round of tests. Its Smart Scan feature took only 2 minutes yet failed to find any of the 10 malware samples the research team planted on the test device. Meanwhile, the Deep Scan lasted only 10 minutes and found 7 out of 10 malware files. CPU usage was low initially but later fluctuated between 50% and 80%. However, the June 2024 evaluations by AV-TEST netted AVG perfect scores in all three categories.

You can learn more about this provider’s entire feature arsenal in our AVG Antivirus review. For now, let’s discuss some of its Windows-specific features, which are pretty abundant. One of the most interesting ones is Browser Defense. It helps customers secure the cookies and passwords stored on their web browsers. You can choose which apps can access saved passwords and block access to browser cookies to protect your personal data. Other features for Windows 11 are Core Shields, CyberCapture, Rescue Disk, Network Inspector, Enhanced Firewall, Hack Alerts, Do Not Disturb Mode, Remote Access Shield, Browser Defense, Webcam Protection, Sensitive Data Shield, and Data Shredder. I think it’s clear from the feature names what most do.

AVG is a feature-rich but pricey antivirus for Windows, starting at $31.20/year while supporting only 1 PC. As such, I believe this service is meant for users needing the widest security feature selection at an above-average price point.

Choosing Windows 11 antivirus: what you need to know

If you’re not a security expert, choosing a reliable antivirus for Windows 11 can seem difficult and confusing. Especially considering all the options available on the market.

First, I suggest checking antivirus software ratings on sites like Trustpilot or G2. Once you’ve got a general view of how people rate specific software, I’d read reviews and comparisons on reputable websites. You can also check what people say on forums like Reddit or Quora.

After you’ve chosen a handful of seemingly reliable antivirus providers, check which ones offer free trials or money-back guarantees. This way, you can test each or at least a couple to make sure they meet your security needs.

How we selected and tested these antivirus tools

To choose only the best antivirus solutions for Windows 11, we extensively researched and tested each provider. More than two dozen antiviruses were tested on a Virtualbox VM with Windows 11 (10GB RAM, 120GB dynamic HDD, and 2 CPU cores) installed on a Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen2 device (AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5650U processor, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD, Windows 11 Pro OS).

Our research team installed various malware samples on the testing device and performed quick and full scans using each antivirus. We also checked how the device’s performance is impacted during scans, evaluated additional features and customer support. Here’s a glimpse into the testing process:

1. Independent lab tests. We checked the latest independent lab test results. They allowed us to pick only those services that show great results. This includes ratings from independent testing labs AV-TEST and AV-Comparatives. I’ve included links to each provider’s latest AV-TEST results because the site analyzes providers separately, unlike AV-Comparatives.
2. In-house testing. We performed comprehensive antivirus testing in-house by planting threats on the device and running all types of scans the antivirus offers. We also visited malicious websites with the Windows 11 antivirus enabled. This way, we could see how well the providers catch malware in real time and their ability to detect existing threats.
3. Performance. During the antivirus software testing process, we also monitored the impact of antivirus on system performance, including CPU and memory load.
4. Security features. We researched what features each antivirus provides. Such additions as a firewall or real-time protection are beneficial for better protection.
5. Customer support. We took into consideration the customer support options that antivirus providers offer. We included services that provide you with 24/7 human support – something Microsoft Defender doesn’t offer.
6. Ranking. After reviewing the results of extensive testing and research, I ranked the providers to introduce the best Windows 11 antivirus suites.

Comparison of the best antiviruses for Windows 11

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Can I use a free antivirus for Windows 11?

Yes, a free antivirus can protect your Windows 11 device if you follow proper cybersecurity hygiene.

However, as mentioned previously, it lacks many extra features free antivirus services from third-party vendors can provide. For example, Windows Security cannot offer a password manager, a VPN, or ad blocking and is more vulnerable to zero-day attacks.

Moreover, premium antivirus software can provide comprehensive real-time protection, device optimization, dark web monitoring, and numerous other security perks. Naturally, the overall package depends on the paid antivirus you choose.

At the end of the day, a free antivirus is not the worst choice. It’s better to have some security layers than no security at all.

Video review: Best antivirus for Windows 11

Find the best Windows 11 antivirus recommendations in this detailed video review. We assess apps and features, testing results, pricing, and more. Discover which antivirus solution might work best for you.

Conclusion

Using an antivirus program with Windows 11 is essential for preventing various cyber threats. Windows Security can be enough for basic protection but might not handle advanced threats. For the best protection, you need a service that ensures above-average independent malware test results and includes important security features, such as real-time protection.

Using extensive research and analysis, I selected antiviruses that don’t impact your device performance too much, provide you with excellent malware protection rates, and offer 24/7 support.

My top choice antivirus for Windows 11 is TotalAV. It secures you in real-time, blocks 100% of threats (according to independent lab test results), and provides extras like anti-phishing protection, a VPN, a password manager, and more. Of course, you should consider other providers, too, if you prioritize other benefits. For example, you can go with Bitdefender if you need something more affordable or AVG if you need as many features as possible, regardless of price.

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