Best antivirus software for Windows 11
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In my February 2025 review of the best antivirus for Windows 11, TotalAV remains my top choice. It works seamlessly with Windows 11 and offers real-time protection, anti-phishing tools, and system optimization to keep your device secure. I liked how its intuitive interface blends well with Windows 11’s user-friendly design, which makes it easy to navigate. If you’re looking for a reliable, comprehensive protection for your Windows 11 device, TotalAV is a solid pick.
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 malware and other cyberthreats 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.
I spent several weeks working with the Cybernews research team to thoroughly test and evaluate various antivirus programs for your Windows 11 computer. I was impressed by some of the antivirus's performance, and I discuss my findings further below.
My top-rated antivirus programs for Windows 11
- TotalAV – best antivirus for Windows 11 overall
- Norton 360 – great Windows 11 antivirus for malware removal
- Bitdefender – excellent virus and malware protection for Windows computers
- Avira – beginner-friendly antivirus for Windows OS
- AVG – best free antivirus for Windows 11
Our team of researchers thoroughly tests antivirus software following a well-established testing process. In unison, our experts combine in-house and independent testing lab findings with first-hand experience to help you make informed decisions about each product. Learn how we test antivirus software.
The best antivirus for Windows 11 – detailed list
Together with our research team, I reviewed 26 antivirus solutions for Windows 11. We assessed real-time protection, scan capabilities, extra security features, and other essential criteria during the evaluations.
1. TotalAV – best antivirus choice for Windows 11
| Max devices: | 8 |
| Free version: | ✅ Yes |
| Platforms: | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android |
| Current deal: | Get TotalAV, now 80% OFF |
TotalAV is the best Antivirus for Windows 11 in 2025 according to our recent tests and reviews. 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.
First, let’s discuss the results of our latest TotalAV tests focusing on Windows 11 features. We started with the smart scan, which detected 9 out of 10 malware samples in roughly 3 minutes. In my opinion, the smart scan speed is impressive, and it found almost all malware samples. 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%. The lengthier scan also found 9 malware samples out of 10, making it an effective antivirus solution.
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.
When it comes to ease of use, 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 Antivirus Pro 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 have 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 – well-rounded Windows 11 antivirus solution for malware removal
| Max devices: | 10 |
| Free version: | ❌ No |
| Platforms: | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android |
| Current deal: | Get up to 58% OFF Norton Antivirus |
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. It found most of 10 malware samples. Moreover, the full scan performed well and detected 8 malware samples out of 10 – 1 less than TotalAV’s in-depth scan.
The full scan took roughly 20 minutes. However, 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 December 2024 AV-TEST round of independent testing.
When it comes to Windows 11 features, Norton 360 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 with the cheapest plan and up to 250GB with the most expensive one.Meanwhile, SafeCam blocks unauthorized access to your webcam, which is a great perk if you’re a frequent guest at various video conferences. If you’re looking for more in-depth information, we detail all of Norton’s features in our Norton 360 Antivirus review.
Norton 360 is the only Windows 11 antivirus on this list that offers secure cloud storage as a bonus. As such, I recommend Norton 360 Deluxe ($49.99/year) 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
| Max devices: | 10 |
| Free version: | ✅ Yes |
| Platforms: | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS |
| Current deal: | Get Bitdefender for up to 78% OFF |
Bitdefender is a robust Windows 11 antivirus service with excellent Windows-specific tools to keep your PC protected.
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 on the test 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 8 out of 10 malware samples, which is a good result. If you need more proof regarding Bitdefender’s effectiveness, the provider collected perfect scores in the latest December 2024 AV-TEST round of evaluations.
You can analyze Bitdefender’s entire feature arsenal in our complete Bitdefender review. As for unique Windows 11 features, Bitdefender offers a robust 2-way firewall for monitoring and controlling network traffic, ransomware remediation that backs up and restores targeted files after an attack, and SafePay, a secure browser. Additionally, Windows users benefit from Vulnerability Assessment and Wi-Fi Security Advisor, which evaluates network safety.
Bitdefender Total Security plan ($19.99/year) is ideal for Windows users looking for an affordable antivirus service with plenty of extra features to protect against uncommon threats. Keep in mind that the features you get depend on the plan you pick. 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
| Max devices: | 5 |
| Free version: | ✅ Yes |
| Platforms: | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS |
| Current deal: | Get 1 year of Avira at 58% OFF |
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 perfect scores in the latest December 2024 AV-TEST evaluation.
Avira’s complete feature set is outlined in our in-depth Avira Antivirus review. Let’s discuss its Windows-specific features. The Avira Firewall is available only on Windows devices. Additionally, features like web protection and email protection are also specific to the Windows platform.
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, Avira Antivirus Pro 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
| Max devices: | 10 |
| Free version: | ✅ Yes |
| Platforms: | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android |
| Current deal: | Get up to 60% OFF AVG! |
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 December 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 notable 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.
AVG is a feature-rich antivirus for Windows, with paid subscriptions starting at $31.20/year while only supporting 1 PC. As such, I believe this service is meant for users needing the widest security feature selection at an above-average price point. I recommend choosing AVG Ultimate as it comes with many security features you’d need to protect your device.
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.
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 antivirus 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 reached out to customer support. Here’s a glimpse into the testing process:
- Performance (30%). During the antivirus software testing process, we also monitored the impact of antivirus on system performance, including CPU and memory load.
- Independent lab tests (25%). 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.
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In-house testing (20%). We performed comprehensive antivirus testing in-house by planting threats on the test 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.
- Security features (15%). We researched what features each antivirus provides. Such additions as a firewall or real-time protection are beneficial for better protection.
- Customer support (10%). 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.
After reviewing the results of extensive testing and research, I ranked the providers to introduce the best Windows 11 antivirus suites.
Best antiviruses for Windows 11 compared
| Rating | Free version | Windows app | Starting price | Renewal price | Real-time protection | Firewall | Parental controls | |
| TotalAV | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | From $19.00/year | From $99.00/year | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ❌ No | |
| Norton 360 | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | From $29.99/year | From $59.99/year | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | |
| Bitdefender | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | From $9.99/year | From $59.99/year | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | |
| Avira | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | From $26.99/year | From $44.99/year | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | |
| AVG | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | From $31.20/year | From $99.99/year | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
Why do you need more than Microsoft Security?
While Microsoft Security offers basic protection for Windows 11 computers, it falls short when compared to dedicated antivirus solutions. The software can warn you about dangerous websites or malicious downloads and includes real-time protection (RTP) and scanning options to quarantine or remove threats.
However, it lacks some of the advanced features found in premium antivirus programs, such as robust phishing protection, ransomware shields, or comprehensive privacy tools, which are essential against more sophisticated threats.
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.
On the other hand, the latest December 2024 results from AV-TEST show that Microsoft Defender Antivirus is quite good. The software garnered top scores in performance and usability categories.
Meanwhile, results from AV-Comparatives weren’t so favorable for Microsoft Defender in the site’s September 2024 Malware Protection test. The software performed okay regarding offline malware detection and had 8 false alarms. On the plus side, the online protection rate was 99.84%, 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?
To sum up, I would advise investing in a well-performing premium antivirus service that shows greater effectiveness than Microsoft Defender.
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, the default Windows Security tool 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.
Best antivirus for windows 11: final thoughts
Using an antivirus program with Windows 11 is essential for preventing various cyberthreats. 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.
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.
FAQ
What is the best free malware scan for Windows 11?
The best free malware scan for Windows 11 is provided by TotalAV. Another great free option is Bitdefender, which also includes real-time protection. Note that while Windows 11 has a built-in Windows Security platform, you can’t rely on it to detect every advanced threat.
Does Windows 11 need an antivirus?
Yes, Windows 11, like any operating system, needs antivirus protection against viruses and other types of malware. Fortunately, antivirus programs like TotalAV offer a lot more than malware scans and protection.
Can I remain with my Windows 10 antivirus after switching to Windows 11?
Yes, but that depends on what kind of antivirus you have and whether it does the job well for you. If you have one of the tools from this list, you’re safe without a doubt. I encourage you to make sure that antivirus software is up to date after switching to the new OS version.
Is Microsoft Defender free for Windows 11?
Yes, you get Microsoft Defender Antivirus for free with Windows 11. This solution comes built into the operating system, and while it’s very convenient to use, it doesn’t offer the most comprehensive protection. If you’re trying to secure your PC against all kinds of threats, I recommend opting for a dedicated antivirus, like TotalAV.
