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PCMAG
pcmag.com › home › best products › security › antivirus
The Best Antivirus Software We've Tested for 2026 | PCMag
1 month ago - It also adds tools, including startup app management, a handy control panel for Windows Firewall, and (in Windows 11) a collection of useful system tweaks. Efficiency fiends: Malwarebytes has a clean, tidy appearance, but more importantly, it runs a full Threat Scan in minutes, where the average app takes hours, or at least an hour. If you want an app that takes care of business expeditiously, this one’s for you. ... Sophos is a big name in business-level antivirus, with remote management to keep the IT team thoroughly in control of security.
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SoftwareLab
softwarelab.org › best-antivirus-windows-11
The 7 Best Antivirus for Windows 11 (2026 Update)
December 7, 2025 - Norton has the best anti-malware protection, excellent security features, and a great price. It’s the best antivirus for Windows 11.
People also ask

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.
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cybernews.com
cybernews.com › home › best antivirus software › best antivirus software for windows 11
Best Antivirus for Windows 11 in 2026
Does Windows 10/11 need antivirus?

In the basic sense, absolutely yes—which is why Windows 10 and 11 come with in built-in antivirus protection. But while Windows Security performs well, the best third-party antivirus software have even higher rates of detecting threats. The top antivirus apps also offer more control over settings, detailed logs of your PC's activity, a more user-friendly interface, and additional features to strengthen your online security beyond just viruses and malware. So strictly speaking, a Windows PC doesn't need third-party antivirus software, but you can benefit from more comprehensive online protection. (Macs also need antivirus software.)

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pcworld.com
pcworld.com › home › best picks › security best picks
Best antivirus software for Windows PCs 2026: Reviews and top picks ...
What is the best antivirus software?

Norton 360 Deluxe is our top pick for antivirus. It's a very comprehensive security suite with a simple app that offers strong antivirus protection and protection against online threats, as well as a whole boatload of features—parental controls, storage for cloud backups, a password manager, VPN, and PC utilities. We like it for how extensive yet affordable the service is—you'll be hard-pressed to find a comparable rival.

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pcworld.com
pcworld.com › home › best picks › security best picks
Best antivirus software for Windows PCs 2026: Reviews and top picks ...
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/antivirus › what is the best antivirus for windows 11 right now?
r/antivirus on Reddit: What is the best Antivirus for Windows 11 right now?
November 20, 2025 -

Hey everyone, I am trying to level up the security on my laptop and wanted to ask for some advice. What is the best antivirus for Windows 11 right now? There are so many options out there that it is kinda hard to tell which ones are actually good and not just full of ads or bloat. I am also wondering if there are antivirus services that let you pay monthly instead of dropping a big yearly fee all at once. If you have any recommendations or setups that have worked well for you, I would really appreciate the help.

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Cybernews
cybernews.com › home › best antivirus software › best antivirus software for windows 11
Best Antivirus for Windows 11 in 2026
For broader coverage, the Total Security plan costs $19.99/year and supports up to three devices across any operating system. ... Norton 360 stands out on Windows 11 by blending strong antivirus protection with smart, Windows-focused tools.
Published   May 27, 2025
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CNET
cnet.com › tech › services & software › antivirus › best antivirus software we've tested in 2026: this security service just dethroned a top competitor
Best Antivirus Software We've Tested in 2026: This Security Service Just Dethroned a Top Competitor - CNET
November 24, 2025 - In test after test, Avast Antivirus for Windows performed well for malware detection, with options ranging from Avast free antivirus software to Avast Premium Security.
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Quora
quora.com › What-anti-virus-is-better-for-Windows-11-2023-top-notch-and-lightweight-all-rounder
What anti-virus is better for Windows 11 2023, top notch and lightweight all rounder? - Quora
Answer (1 of 2): Honestly, an educated user is the best defense against viruses, rootkits, malware, cryptojackers, etc. GPT-4 can crafts personalized emails which can fool just about anyone. Combine this with a 0-day exploit and you're hosed. No antivirus solution would be able to detect it. Win...
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TechWorm
techworm.net › home › list
10 Best Antivirus Software For Windows 11 in 2025 (Free & Paid)
January 7, 2025 - Best Free Windows 11 Antivirus Software: Windows Defender, Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition, Sophos Home, AVG AntiVirus Free, Malwarebytes Free, Norton AntiVirus Plus, McAfee AntiVirus Plus
Find elsewhere
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Windows Report
windowsreport.com › antivirus › best antiviruses › windows 11 antivirus
Best Antivirus for Windows 11 to Use in 2025
August 29, 2025 - Bitdefender Total Security consistently ranks as one of the best overall antivirus solutions for Windows 11, thanks to its combination of stellar malware protection, rich features, and minimal system impact.
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AV-TEST
av-test.org › en › antivirus › home-windows
Test antivirus software for Windows 11 - October 2025 | AV-TEST
The current tests of antivirus software for Windows 11 from October 2025 of AV-TEST, the leading international and independent service provider for antivirus software and malware.
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PCWorld
pcworld.com › home › best picks › security best picks
Best antivirus software for Windows PCs 2026: Reviews and top picks | PCWorld
2 weeks ago - Then, as the most punishing test, we run Handbrake to transcode a large video into a smaller one. This encoding task often utilizes 100 percent of the CPU on many home PCs. When performing benchmarks, we first run all three tests on our Windows 11 PC before installing the antivirus suite under review.
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TechRadar
techradar.com › computing › computing security › antivirus
Best Antivirus Software in 2026 for PC: Ranked and Reviewed | TechRadar
4 days ago - I've rounded up all the best antivirus software based on security scores, performance impact, and pricing.
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Bogleheads.org
bogleheads.org › board index › community › personal consumer issues
What's The Latest On Antivirus for Windows? - Bogleheads.org
Fortunately, you may not need to as both Windows 10 and Windows 11 now come with their own antivirus software called Microsoft Defender Antivirus, aka Windows Defender. While it used to be terrible, over the past few years, Microsoft has really turned it around and Defender is now one of the ...
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SafetyDetectives
safetydetectives.com
10 Best Antivirus Software in 2026: Windows, Android, iOS, Mac
I recommend Norton 360 as the best antivirus for most Windows 11 users.
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Avast
avast.com › windows-11-antivirus
Download Free Antivirus Software for Windows 11 | Avast
But don’t just take our word for it — see the graph below which shows that Avast has prevented 2 317 553 210 virus attacks on Windows 11 PCs over recent months. ... “...earns excellent scores in our hands-on tests and independent lab tests...it offers much more than many competing commercial products... ... “...earns excellent scores in our hands-on tests and independent lab tests...it offers much more than many competing commercial products...” ... Avast’s antivirus scans for security and performance issues and helps you to fix them instantly.
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/windows11 › antivirus for windows 11 in 2024?
r/Windows11 on Reddit: Antivirus for windows 11 in 2024?
August 17, 2024 -

New windows user here after using Mac for over a decade. Recently bought the new surface pro 11 and love it!

As a windows newbie, i wonder if I need antivirus for my SP11 running windows 11.

I never used any antivirus software on my previous MacBooks, and never had any problems. Not sure if it would be the same for windows nowadays.

Update: many suggestions on the built-in Microsoft defender, i was so confused by whether it needs to be paid. But it seems that Microsoft defender is not free, but Microsoft defender Antivirus is free. Not sure if people are recommending Microsoft defender or Microsoft defender Antivirus.

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Reddit
reddit.com › r/antivirus › which antivirus is best in 2025?
r/antivirus on Reddit: Which Antivirus is best in 2025?
March 19, 2025 -

I've looked up threads on ESET, Bitdefender, Malwarebytes, etc and I keep seeing the same "It's okay" or "it's unimpressive" so what is an actual good one? Thanks.

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Tom's Guide
tomsguide.com › computing › internet › online security › antivirus
We've tested the best antivirus software to protect your computer ...
November 26, 2025 - At $79.99 a year, Avast is one of the lowest cost options and that means it lacks some of the features available with other antivirus programs, most notably it doesn’t come with a VPN or a password manager. It does include a webcam blocker, data shield for sensitive documents, a data shredder, an Email Guardian tool, and protects against DNS hijacking and remote desktop exploits. The banking mode lets you conduct financial transactions in a browser that runs on top of Windows for added protection.
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TechRepublic
techrepublic.com › home › topics › security › security › what is the best antivirus program out there?
What is the best antivirus program out there? - TechRepublic
May 9, 2023 - February 28, 2023 at 3:58 am #4043544 · by SameekshaM · about 2 years, 10 months ago · In reply to What is the best antivirus program out there? Well, various antivirus programs are available on the internet for Windows 11. I use Bitdefender, as it comes with all security features and allows you to stay safe 100%. It is easy to use, compatible across various operating systems, and affordable.