Windows 10 End of life approaches quickly, with updates stops on October 14, 2025, and many are starting to go to Windows 11.
But questions remain. Should I really use the best antivirus with Windows 11?
Is Windows Defender good enough? Can I trust him to protect me from hackers, especially when Windows is the most used operating system in the world? Discover.
Should I upgrade?
In short, yes. Once Windows 10 is reaching his end of life, he will stop receiving critical updates such as new security fixes that prevent known vulnerabilities from being enjoyed.
Since Windows has a considerable market share for PC operating systems, it is a very lucrative target that cybercriminals are constantly trying to reach.
Let me say this in this way – one of the main reasons why the attack on Wannacry ransomware in 2017 was so devastating was that many organizations used Windows operating systems that had gone well from their end of life.
Even if Microsoft had published a correction that could have prevented Wannacry’s ransomware from infecting their devices, some had chosen to deactivate updates or used obsolete systems.
In addition, if we follow the Windows 10 trend which was published in 2015, Windows 11 will probably also receive updates for at least the next 10 years, making it a worthy update for those who have not already made the change. In addition, if you are already running Windows 10, you can go to Windows 11 for free!
I understand that there are purists who insist on using the operating system they know the most – and I can sympathize.
I miss Windows Vista. But the aesthetics are not everything, and it is never too late to learn something new.
What is the size of a target?
It is easy to think that you are not a target with regard to this great digital world in which we all live, but there are hundreds of ways that a hacker could see the value of you target.
For example, they could try to add your computer to a global botnet they use to launch attacks against businesses without you knowing it.
Or they could try to steal your social media accounts to use in disinformation campaigns, or they just want to disturb as many people as possible with their latest malicious software.
The report on the state of malware for malwarebytes places ransomware as the largest threat in 2024 and the attacks increased by 13% in annual sliding.
In 2025, this trend should continue, stimulated by the increase in AI agents to distribute malware and help write phishing emails that are more convincing and more difficult to spot.
While cybercriminals have turned to targeting large companies with larger budgets in order to earn a living, small fries like you and I are always viable targets for smaller and less advanced cybercriminal groups.
Let us also forget that a cybercriminated could seek to steal your identity or to commit credit fraud on your behalf using the data they can steal on your computer. Some groups just want to cause disturbances and make a name for themselves by hitting anyone and everyone.
Windows Defender Antivirus: Is it enough?
Windows Defender Antivirus is planned preinstalled as standard with Windows 11.
In many tests, Windows Defender Antivirus does a fairly good work of protection against new threats of malware, including those distributed on the web and by e-mail.
During the February 2025 AV-Test tests, he managed to detect 100% of threats to 0 days and widespread / widespread threats discovered in the past 4 weeks. Not bad.
But, Windows Defender Antivirus is a very simple and naked solution. Yes, it protects against malware, but it does not offer additional security features such as VPN or dedicated parental controls.
So when people say that “the Windows Defender antivirus is sufficient”, what they mean is that this is enough for threats based on malware, everything else could put your device or those who use it in danger.
For example, if you do not use VPN when using a web browser, your Internet traffic is probably not encrypted, which means that anyone could intercept it and see what you do, or extract potentially sensitive information from your traffic.
The set of Windows Defender Antivirus features gradually catch up with the features offered by many of the best antivirus suppliers, but it will probably always be a step in its offers as a free service.
Antivirus for Windows 11 is worth it?
As a security expert that is constantly written on new attack vectors, data theft and service failures, it seems that the use of a premium antivirus service is probably a good choice for a number of reasons.
First, Windows Defender Antivirus only protects your Windows machine and offers no protection for the rest of your devices.
Many antivirus services offer compatibility through Apple, Android, Chromebook, Windows and Linux, allowing you to protect all your household appliances under one umbrella.
But IT security is not content to start and end with an antivirus, because each online account you use is also a potential target for a pirate.
This is why many services offer password managers as a included tool, providing you with passwords that would take billions of years to break, automatic development capacities to help you connect more quickly and, in some cases, an authentication application to keep your accounts super secure.
And above all, you don’t even need to spend a penny to increase your protection. There are tons of superb free antivirus applications that you can install on your Windows 11 device, and as an additional Bonus Defender Antivirus, can be put in passive mode to operate alongside another third -party antivirus solution.
