Free or paid? Choosing antivirus for Windows
Windows already ships with antivirus. The real question is whether you need anything on top of it.
The baseline: Microsoft Defender
Windows 10 and 11 include Microsoft Defender Antivirus, switched on by default. It offers real-time scanning, cloud checks, a firewall and download reputation checks, with no ads and no renewal fees. For many home users, a well-configured Defender plus sensible habits is a solid foundation.
When to look beyond it
- You want one subscription for Windows, Mac, Android and iOS.
- You need parental controls, a VPN or identity monitoring in a single app.
- You want a second opinion on a PC that already seems unwell.
Options at a glance
| Option | Cost | What it gives you | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Defender | Included | Real-time protection, firewall, ransomware folder guard | Few extras; best web protection is in Edge |
| Bitdefender Free | Free | Light real-time antivirus, almost no setup | Very few settings; upgrade prompts |
| Avast or AVG Free | Free | Antivirus with extras like network checks | Frequent upsells; review privacy options |
| Malwarebytes Free | Free | Manual scans for adware and unwanted programs | No real-time shield on the free tier |
| McAfee Total Protection | Subscription | Antivirus, firewall, web protection, and on some plans VPN, password manager and identity monitoring | Features differ by plan and country; check the renewal price |
| Other paid suites (Norton, Bitdefender and others) | Subscription | Multi-device cover, VPN, identity tools, parental controls | Higher renewal prices and auto-renewal |
About McAfee
McAfee is one of the best-known paid security suites and is often pre-installed on new Windows PCs as a trial. It covers Windows, Mac, Android and iOS under one subscription, depending on the plan you choose.
What it can include
- Real-time antivirus and a firewall.
- Safe browsing warnings for risky sites and downloads.
- On some plans: a VPN, password manager, identity monitoring and parental controls.
- A protection status screen that shows what needs attention.
Points in its favour
- One subscription can cover several devices and several operating systems.
- Extras are bundled in one app, which suits people who dislike managing many tools.
- Introductory first-year offers are common.
Things to check before you commit
- Plan differences: the feature list changes by plan, region and device count, so read the exact plan page.
- Renewal price: the first-year offer is often lower than the price after renewal.
- Auto-renewal: find the setting in your account and note the date so you are not charged by surprise.
- Pop-ups: some versions show upgrade offers. Check the notification settings.
If your PC came with a McAfee trial
- Open Windows Security and see which product is listed as your active antivirus.
- Decide whether to subscribe or remove it.
- To remove it, open Settings, Apps, Installed apps, select McAfee and choose Uninstall. Restart the PC.
- If leftovers remain, McAfee provides its own Consumer Product Removal tool on its official support site.
- Confirm in Windows Security that Microsoft Defender has switched back on.
Cancelling a subscription
Sign in to your McAfee account on the official website, open your subscription details and turn off auto-renewal. If you bought through a retailer or a PC maker, you may need to manage it there. Keep the confirmation email.
A simple decision path
- Start with Defender and make sure it is fully enabled (see our setup guide).
- Add Malwarebytes Free as an occasional scanner if you like a second opinion.
- Pay only for features you will really use, and read the renewal price before you buy.
- If a new PC arrives with a trial suite, either commit to it or remove it, but never run two real-time programs together.