Your Windows computer comes with Windows Security, a built-in but barebone security solution. You can get more premium features by installing Microsoft Defender, a standalone security app for Windows, Mac, iPhone, and Android devices. If that sounds confusing, blame Microsoft's atrocious naming game. But these two are separate security solutions and offer different, albeit complementing features. Let’s explore the differences between them.

What is Windows Security?

Formerly known as Windows Defender (which would have made the nomenclature even more confusing), Windows Security is a built-in antivirus and firewall solution within the Windows operating system. It offers essential protection against offline and online threats, including manual scans and threat management capabilities.

If you have a Windows computer, chances are you’ve used it before, and it is probably the only antivirus your computer will ever need. Here's what you get with Windows Security:

• Virus & threat protection: Windows Security uses the Microsoft Defender Antivirus engine at the core of its security solution to provide real-time protection against malware. You can perform a quick, custom, or offline scan, adjust ransomware settings, manage controlled folder access, and create exclusion lists.
• Account Protection: Secure your Microsoft account settings, including login, account recovery, and password options.
• Firewall & network protection: Customize your firewall settings on different networks and configure inbound and outbound traffic rules.
• App & browser control: You can control how Windows screens your apps for malware and customize SmartScreen settings to filter websites and downloads.
• Device Security: Allows you to access advanced security to monitor your system for core isolation, secure boot, and hardware security options.
• Device performance and health: This shows a quick overview of your device’s health, including battery life, storage capacity, and potential issues with apps and software.
• Family options: Manage parental control to set screen time habits, track your child’s digital activity, and filter accessible content on the PC.

What’s Microsoft Defender?

While it may sound similar, Microsoft Defender is a standalone security app for Windows, Android, iOS, and macOS. Microsoft clarifies that it’s not an antivirus replacement on Windows and iOS devices but offers malware protection on Android.

Microsoft Defender is part of the Microsoft 365 suite, so you don’t need to pay extra to install the app. If you are a subscriber, the app is likely already installed on your device. If not, you can install it from the Microsoft Store or your device’s respective app store.

Put simply, Microsoft Defender acts like an add-on that works alongside Windows Security or any third-party antivirus software installed on your computer or smartphone. However, it offers some of its own unique security features:

• Identity theft monitoring: Track 60 different types of personal data and get alerts when there’s a data breach or suspicious activity on your credit report.
• Identify theft insurance (US only): It provides up to USD 1 million in coverage for restoration costs and support in case of data breach or identity theft.
• Threat and suspicious activity alerts: Monitor and receive security alerts for up to five devices linked to your Microsoft account through a centralized dashboard.
• Device Protection: On Android, Microsoft Defender can scan for malicious apps, run a malware scan, check the blocked apps list, and block unsafe websites. However, iOS devices are limited to jailbreak detection and web protection only.
• Privacy protection: Browse privately by hiding your IP address through encryption with the included VPN service, which offers up to 50GB of data usage per month.

Windows Security vs Microsoft Defender: Which is Better?

Despite their confusing names, Windows Security and Microsoft Defender are not competing but complementary services. Windows Security is built into your Windows operating system for basic protection and runs locally on your computer. Microsoft Defender is an additional security layer that works with your existing antivirus solution. On a Windows computer, it acts like a security dashboard for Windows Security or your third-party antivirus.

So, even if you have Microsoft Defender on your computer or smartphone, it’s important not to turn off your built-in or third-party protection, as it’s not meant to replace it.

What sets Microsoft Defender apart is its centralized dashboard. Compared to third-party rivals, it works quietly in the background with minimal effect on system performance and no intrusive prompts. It allows you to view and manage security risks across all your devices from one place. It also includes additional features to protect your online presence across various devices, regardless of whether you use Windows or not.

Here's a quick comparison between Windows Security and Microsoft Defender:

Feature

Windows Security

Microsoft Defender

Centralized Dashboard

No

Yes

Antivirus/Anti-Malware

Yes

Yes

Firewall

Yes

No

Device Security

Yes

Yes

App & Browser Control

Yes

Yes

Family Options

Yes

Yes

Identify Theft

No

Yes

Cross-Device

No

Yes (Windows, Mac, Android, iOS)

Parental Controls

Yes

Yes

VPN

No

Yes (up to 50GB)

Password Manager

No

No

Subscription

Free

Microsoft 365 Personal/Family

Microsoft Defender Caveats…

Microsoft Defender is a nifty add-on for Microsoft 365 subscribers, but there are some caveats. Microsoft Defender’s premium features are largely restricted to the US. For instance, at the time of writing, the VPN service is limited to Android and iOS devices in the US, Canada, Germany, and the UK. Moreover, you can’t manually select a geo-location and are capped at 50GB of data per month.

Identity theft monitoring and identity theft insurance are also exclusively available to US users. And while you benefit from antivirus protection and malicious app scanning on Android, iOS users only have access to web protection and jailbreak detection.

So, even if you are a Microsoft 365 subscriber, the availability of features can vary depending on the device/platform and region. You won't miss out on anything if you are in the US, though.

Should You Use Microsoft Defender?

Microsoft Defender for Individuals is a premium service bundled with your Microsoft 365 subscription. In the absence of a dedicated antivirus solution, depending on your region, you can use Microsoft Defender to make up for the security features missing in Windows Security, like identity theft management, VPN, and centralized management of multiple devices. When combined, Microsoft’s security offering should keep you safe both offline and online.

However, if you are not a Microsoft 365 subscriber and want premium security features, a dedicated third-party antivirus tool can offer more features with fewer restrictions.