Try our new research platform with insights from 80,000+ expert users
IT Manager at a financial services firm with 1,001-5,000 employees
Real User
Quick and responsive support, stable, improves security, and requires little maintenance
Pros and Cons
  • "Microsoft's technical support is fantastic."
  • "At times, the other antivirus products are now doing AI, in terms of understanding the behavior of the system and determining when there's an anomaly. This is something that Defender can improve on."

What is our primary use case?

We primarily use this product to get antivirus protection in a cost-effective way.

How has it helped my organization?

This product tends to detect a lot more issues than the other antivirus solutions. This is because it's essentially tuned to Microsoft. It has some inbuilt intelligence, so they tend to understand the Microsoft environment and we don't need to do as much exclusion. With other antivirus products, we need to exclude certain files from being scanned.

What is most valuable?

The malware detection feature is very good.

What needs improvement?

At times, the other antivirus products are now doing AI, in terms of understanding the behavior of the system and determining when there's an anomaly. This is something that Defender can improve on.

Buyer's Guide
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
January 2025
Learn what your peers think about Microsoft Defender for Endpoint. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: January 2025.
831,265 professionals have used our research since 2012.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been working with Microsoft Defender Antivirus for between two and three years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

This is a stable solution that has matured over the years.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

We have approximately 7,000 machines and we have not needed to scale beyond our original implementation.

How are customer service and support?

Microsoft's technical support is fantastic.

We subscribe to the Microsoft Premier Support Package and they tend to respond to our queries very fast. When our engineers contact them, they respond in a very short time.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

We currently use Cylance, in addition to Microsoft Defender. I'm not sure what the impact is of using two solutions, whether it is a good thing, or not. We do plan on narrowing this down to one solution in the future.

How was the initial setup?

This product was included with Windows 10, so we did not have to deploy it separately.

Once this product is set up, this solution requires very little maintenance.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

We already use Microsoft solutions and I found it cheaper to purchase the bundle, which includes Defender. By including the antivirus in the bundle, it makes it a little cheaper for us. If you purchase it outside of the bundle, it is a little bit expensive.

When you want the central administration functionality, it tends to be more expensive. The normal, standalone model is not expensive, but the enterprise model that includes the bundle with email and some web protection, is a bit more expensive.

What other advice do I have?

When we initially implemented Windows Defender, we were pessimistic about whether it would be good enough. However, it is a pretty mature product now.

My advice for anybody who is considering this product is that it's good, and it gets results early.

I would rate this solution an eight out of ten. 

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
PeerSpot user
Navision Consultant and user support at NCPD
Real User
Leaderboard
If any viruses are found, they are cleaned automatically
Pros and Cons
  • "Automatic scanning and cleaning of viruses is the best and most valuable feature helping this tool to thrive. If any viruses are found, they are cleaned automatically."
  • "With increase of cyber threats and cybersecurity issues, I would recommend that the product be developed like an AI product with more features which can counter any threat in the coming eras."

What is our primary use case?

I have used Windows Defender to protect my computer from viruses or harmful websites on either flash drives and other removable devices when I am online which tend to attack my computer and corrupt it causing inefficiencies in my computer working processes. 

I usually check from time to time if the hard disks of my computer has been infected and remove the files that are harmful to my systems. Another purpose of this tool is blocking and filtering sites that are harmful or appear threatening to my system.

How has it helped my organization?

Windows Defender has improved my organisation's security in many ways which ensure that my systems are being safeguarded. Since we are mostly online doing our projects and research, we tend to enter into harmful sites that may damage our computers. But Windows Defender does great work in blocking and warning you of those sites. Another advantageous part is that when removable devices are connected to our systems they are scanned for viruses and cleaned immediately. Hence, it ensures no viruses from external devices enter into our systems. It automatically scans and checks for viruses on the hard drive from time to time ensuring good security in our systems.

I have used the solution for more than five years and the solution has greatly influenced my work. It gives good results in protecting my systems and data.

What is most valuable?

Automatic scanning and cleaning of viruses is the best and most valuable feature helping this tool to thrive. If any viruses are found, they are cleaned automatically.

Another feature is the ability to filter sites and block harmful ones, which makes it to enter sites with full protection. This ensures no harmful Trojans can be sent into our systems through those sites and are always blocked when detected.

Another great feature is the ability to warn the system user, making it easier to know when a virus has been found on our system.

It is easy to use and has a lot functionality to make systems safeguarded in the right manner.

What needs improvement?

The product should keep updating its software as to counter incoming threats since threats are becoming more advance with time. The product should be strong in all parts.

I would recommend if the product continues to be updated that the way it updates is faster for downloading and updating in our system. The stability is good and should continue to perform well in that way. 

With increase of cyber threats and cybersecurity issues, I would recommend that the product be developed like an AI product with more features which can counter any threat in the coming eras.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have used the product more than five years. It is a great tool.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The solution is very stable. It has good features that make it efficient in the security aspects of our systems.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The product has performed very well in my computers. I don't have any complains about its functionality.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

I have never used any solution apart from Windows Defender when safeguarding my systems.

How was the initial setup?

The solution comes pre-installed in the Windows Operating System so you do not have to install it manually. You are required to connect to the Internet and update the solution to the latest version.

What about the implementation team?

I am just an end user of the solution.

I hired a technical guy to keep the solution up-to-date since it could be more stable and work more efficiently.

What was our ROI?

I invested in Windows Defender since it has good functionalities. 

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

The product is free of charge and comes integrated into Windows. 

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

I chose Windows Defender for system safety, its ease of use, and the continuous update of the product.

What other advice do I have?

Windows is a great tool that I have used. It has helped my organisation in achieving what it does daily and protected our data in a great way.

I would recommend every user who has a computer or laptop to consider using Windows Defender since it is the best tool to safeguard your system from malware and attacks.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
January 2025
Learn what your peers think about Microsoft Defender for Endpoint. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: January 2025.
831,265 professionals have used our research since 2012.
John Edwards - PeerSpot reviewer
Manager Cyber Security at Dept. of the Premier and Cabinet
Real User
Good endpoint detection response, and technical support, but the pricing could be improved
Pros and Cons
  • "Microsoft Defender for Endpoint is a robust platform."
  • "In the next release, I would like to see better management reporting."

What is our primary use case?

We are a government organization, and we use Microsoft Defender for Endpoint Protection.

We also use it for vulnerability scanning and assessment, which is very useful.

What is most valuable?

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint is a robust platform. The endpoint detection response is quite good.

What needs improvement?

Some executive reporting is inefficient, and we're looking into ways to improve it.

In the next release, I would like to see better management reporting.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been working with Microsoft Defender for Endpoint for two years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint is a stable solution.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint is definitely scalable.

How are customer service and support?

Technical support is quite good.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

Previously, we didn't work with anything as sophisticated. We used a pretty old-style endpoint detection response.

How was the initial setup?

On new devices, the initial setup is quite easy, while some of the older devices had some issues unpicking the old EDR product that had nothing to do with Defender.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

Pricing can always be lower.

What other advice do I have?

To achieve the best results holistically, consider the total cost of ownership of the Microsoft suite of products.

I would rate Microsoft Defender for Endpoint a seven out of ten.

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
reviewer1731429 - PeerSpot reviewer
Senior Consultant at a marketing services firm with 11-50 employees
Real User
Low impact on endpoints with an easy setup and fast technical support
Pros and Cons
  • "The intelligence mechanisms are good."
  • "The detection of viruses could be a little bit better."

What is our primary use case?

The product is useful for projects, finding tech, and finding firewall actions on computers. 

What is most valuable?

There's no impact on other applications. Most other solutions have more of a possibility of an impact on other applications and due to that, you must make some special configurations to those other applications. The Microsoft Defender impact is very small.

The intelligence mechanisms are good.

The initial setup is easy.

We have found the technical support to be helpful.

What needs improvement?

The detection of viruses could be a little bit better.

For how long have I used the solution?

We've used the solution for maybe two years.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Our company is only a small company. We only have 10 people who use the solution. However, we have clients who have a lot of users. 

We likely will increase usage in the future. 

How are customer service and support?

We've been in touch with technical support. Their level of support is fine and they are very fast. We are satisfied with their level of service. 

We had some problem and, after four hours, we had new signatures for the environment by our customers for more than a thousand clients so that we can protect and improve the new setup. It was a very quick turnaround.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is not difficult. It's simple. We have just rolled it out to 6,000 clients which have been, by far, more than other customers we've had so far. We have deployed a Microsoft configuration.

In the environment, we needed one or two days to deploy it. In smaller environments, you only need two hours of work.

It can be done by technical personnel in-house. If they have good knowledge of Microsoft environments, and how to use Microsoft tools, then it's easy.

It's always good if you know how to use OutShare. With OutShare, you can make many things extremely effective and extremely easy.

What about the implementation team?

It is possible to handle it in-house if you have a knowledgeable team. We implement the solution for our clients. 

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

Clients need to pay a yearly licensing fee.

What other advice do I have?

This is an on-premise solution where all connections have a cloud connection.

I would recommend the solution to other companies. I'd rate the solution at a nine out of ten. 

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
reviewer1653642 - PeerSpot reviewer
Manager of Information Systems at a engineering company with 51-200 employees
Real User
Easy to scale, reliable, and extremely easy to install
Pros and Cons
  • "We like that it has a free version available."
  • "The frequency of the patching, and the frequency of the updates, are not included with the free version."

What is our primary use case?

We use it at home on some personal machines at home, and there are a few machines inside of the Enterprise that has it.

We use this solution for general antivirus protection.

What is most valuable?

We like that it has a free version available.

What needs improvement?

The frequency of the patching, and the frequency of the updates, are not included with the free version. 

The platform I used in the past would check every hour and deploy every two hours down to the client, every patch that came through. 

It was actively looking for updates, the latest threats, which is something that the Microsoft Defender product did not have in the free version.

The Enterprise version that we had, didn't have visibility. If somebody were to uninstall it or turn it off, I'd have trouble seeing that easily. There are tools that I can install, but from a reporting standpoint who has it on and off is included with the Enterprise package that you pay for, or it comes included with Office 365 Enterprise, but not in the free version.

For how long have I used the solution?

We have been using Microsoft Defender for Endpoint for two and a half years.

We are using the latest version. It is always up-to-date.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

We had absolutely no issues with the stability of Microsoft Defender for Endpoint. We did not experience any bugs or glitches.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

It is pretty easy to scale. it was basically one click to agree that you wanted to use it.

How are customer service and technical support?

We did not contact technical support.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

Previously, we were using another solution and were forced to uninstall it to patch Windows. It was an annoyance to reinstall it.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup was straightforward. It was extremely simple.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

We are using the free version.

When you are centrally managing it, you can't get there without a much more expensive Microsoft solution to control the rollout and to make sure that it is up-to-date.

We didn't research that, it was a stop-gap measure until we figured out what we're going to do in the long term.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

We are looking into a product that gets into the EDR, XDR, the fully managed patching, and everything else, versus just the anti-virus that package includes.

What other advice do I have?

I would rate Microsoft Defender for Endpoint and eight out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
PeerSpot user
Works at Systex Software
Reseller
It comes preloaded with Windows 10. It does not have a central console.
Pros and Cons
  • "Microsoft Defender can block some viruses or malware. So, it can protect my files. It can save files on Office 365 OneDrive. I use encryption for some files, then I can recover them from OneDrive."
  • "The central console needs improvement. Both McAfee and Symantec antivirus have dashboards. These integrate with a server and work on my antivirus or some other product. However, with Microsoft Defender, you use Microsoft Group Policy Object. Defender does not provide a central console. Therefore, if you implement Defender, then maybe use another tool for the central view."

What is our primary use case?

I am a Taiwan sole company reseller. We sell commercial software to enterprise customers.

I use the Microsoft Defender for scanning the antivirus or some hacker tools.

How has it helped my organization?

We sell the Microsoft solution for enterprise customers. We recommend to customers that they can use Microsoft Defender Antivirus.

What is most valuable?

Microsoft Defender can block some viruses or malware. So, it can protect my files. It can save files on Office 365 OneDrive. I use encryption for some files, then I can recover them from OneDrive.

What needs improvement?

The central console needs improvement. Both McAfee and Symantec antivirus have dashboards. These integrate with a server and work on my antivirus or some other product. However, with Microsoft Defender, you use Microsoft Group Policy Object. Defender does not provide a central console. Therefore, if you implement Defender, then maybe use another tool for the central view.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Microsoft Defender Antivirus for more than two years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

In general, Defender Antivirus can work with my operating system. So, its performance is okay.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Defender can integrate with other Office 365 security products. 

How are customer service and technical support?

We just search for knowledge from Google.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

My company deploys Symantec antivirus. However, when we buy a laptop, it includes Windows 10, which has Defender antivirus installed. Therefore, we use both antivirus software, Symantec and Defender.

How was the initial setup?

We did not deploy Microsoft Defender Antivirus. It simply came preloaded with Windows 10.

I would recommend using Group Policy Object to deploy this solution and enable some functions.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

You just pay Windows 10 prices, then you have antivirus software. As a price comparison, Defender's costs are very low.

What other advice do I have?

We sell the Microsoft 365 solution to customers. If a customer wants Windows 10 Defender, they can choose Defender ATP in Office 365.

I would rate this solution as a five or six out of 10.

Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Reseller
PeerSpot user
IT Support Executive at a healthcare company with 51-200 employees
Real User
No need to purchase an additional solution because it comes bundled with Windows 10
Pros and Cons
  • "It is already integrated with Windows 10, so you don't need to worry about that."
  • "It is using a large space in your memory all the time. While an antivirus will use some of your memory, if they could reduce the load of the antivirus to some extent that would be good."

What is our primary use case?

It is an antivirus. It is like any other antivirus, except it comes with Windows and you don't need to install anything extra.

How has it helped my organization?

People will ask you, "My system does not have an antivirus," because it is so hidden and subtle. You don't feel like you have an antivirus. Many users will wonder and come to you, saying, "I don't have an antivirus installed. Is that company policy? Do we need to get it from outside and install it?" So, we have to tell them, "No, there is an antivirus. It is there."

It is so seamless that people don't even feel or see it. It is just protecting everybody. If you are some kind of techie or have some experience with Windows Operating System, only then do you know that this thing is already built-in. If you go into the Task Manager, you can find the antivirus using up a lot of memory and a bit of CPU power, then you will understand that is the antivirus doing this. Normally, many people don't realize this.

What is most valuable?

It is already integrated with Windows 10, so you don't need to worry about that. 

It is a basic firewall with some additional anti-exploit measures and parental controls already built in.

What needs improvement?

It is using a large space in your memory all the time. While an antivirus will use some of your memory, if they could reduce the load of the antivirus to some extent that would be good.

For how long have I used the solution?

We started using it when they started bundling it with Windows 10, which has been around three or four years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

It is very stable.

You do not need to worry about maintenance. It is automatically updated. Sometimes it will show you a red marker to do a system scan. People normally kind of ignore that, but I suggest people do a system scan from time to time. Now, what happens is just a bubble icon showing a red cross sign, but that may not be enough. It should give a pop-up window to remind people to scan the system once a month or quarter. It should be built-in scanning, without asking anybody, once per month or quarter.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

It is scalable.

There is no need to get an additional solution because it comes bundled with Windows. 

We are protecting around 60 to 70 endpoints in India. In the entire company, there may be around 400 to 500.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

We have used other antiviruses, like McAfee and Avira Antivirus.

The same thing can be viewed as a pro and a con:

Pro: It is more than silent; you do not even realize that it is an antivirus. Any other antivirus third-party will nag you with pop ups for any small threats. They want to show that they are doing something because you pay them money. They are funny, colorful pop-ups, whatever color they use is like an advertisement for them, e.g., "They are doing it wrong, and we pointed it out." Windows Defender does not do that. In a way, this is good for the people who know the threat sender. They do not really need to be nagged by the antivirus every time you open a site or click on a file.

Con: For normal people who do not know anything about the security side, some pop ups should be there. Some pop-ups call people's attention that you are doing it the wrong way. For example, "This is potentially wrong. Don't visit this site. Don't potentially open this link, file, or attachment." This is missing in Windows Defender.

What was our ROI?

It has a good return on investment, especially since we are used to paying for antivirus. Now, it is part of the Windows purchase.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

You don't need to worry about the renewal and purchase of antivirus products. It is bundled with Windows 10, so you don't need to worry about separately purchasing any antiviruses. 

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

Whenever you purchase an antivirus, there are so many factors to consider, such as, weighing, doing a comparison, studying everything, and analyzing the cost-benefit factors. You don't need to consider any of this with Windows Defender because it all comes with it. So, you don't need to worry about it.

With Windows Defender, Microsoft is protecting their own operating system from hackers, viruses, malware, etc. It is better to use Windows Defender over other third-party providers. Microsoft knows what best is for the solutions.

What other advice do I have?

If your computers or users are limited and you are not worried about using your computers for a lot of other browsing purposes or a lot of communication from the public, then you can depend on Microsoft Defender as your only solution. However, when your company is a lot more public facing, then you get a lot of mail from the public and must interact with the public. Also, if you must connect your computer to other computers not in your company, then I would suggest going for either a top-of-the line antivirus solution or third-party solutions. Totally depending on Microsoft Defender is not going to work for a company who is facing a lot of public interactions with their computer system.

I would rate it as an eight out of 10.

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Technical Team Lead at Alepo
Vendor
Effective firewall capabilities, regular antivirus updates, and it is preinstalled with Windows
Pros and Cons
  • "The most valuable features are the Windows Firewall and the regular virus definition updates. These features are very helpful and have helped to improve our security."
  • "This solution needs to move beyond relying on virus definitions alone and protect the system using behavioral analysis of the processes that are running."

What is our primary use case?

We use Microsoft Defender Antivirus for antivirus protection as part of our endpoint security solution. It protects our systems against attacks from any virus, malware, or trojan. 

How has it helped my organization?

We rely on this product for endpoint protection in our organization because we have not subscribed to any antivirus, apart from Microsoft Defender. It comes for free with our Windows subscription and it has improved the way our organization functions because there have been no virus attacks to date on our laptops.

It has not negatively affected our end-user experience.

What is most valuable?

This solution takes care of most of the infections that are found in the system, and it comes included with Windows. These are the two main advantages of using it.

The most valuable features are the Windows Firewall and the regular virus definition updates. These features are very helpful and have helped to improve our security.

What needs improvement?

Microsoft Defender protects the computer by using virus definitions that we download through regular updates but nowadays, cybersecurity attacks have become more intelligent. This solution needs to move beyond relying on virus definitions alone and protect the system using behavioral analysis of the processes that are running. These can be vulnerable points and if a process causes a glitch in the system, it should be quarantined. Moreover, enhancements of this type should not detract from system performance. There should be no slowdown on the laptop, for example.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Microsoft Defender Antivirus since I started using Windows 7, more than eight years ago.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

Stability-wise, it is good, and it performs very nicely.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The scalability is fine. We had more than 300 devices that are being protected.

How are customer service and technical support?

I have never had an opportunity to speak with technical support because everything has always worked very smoothly. As we have experienced no issues at all, we never contacted support.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

Prior to using Microsoft Defender, we used McAfee and Avast Antivirus.

One of the main reasons that we switched away from McAfee is that it required purchasing a subscription. With Microsoft Defender, it is included with Windows. When we install the operating system, it is already there and we don't have to purchase an additional antivirus product.

For security, aside from a traditional antivirus, we have purchased the SentinelOne Endpoint Security solution. This product is more enhanced when compared to an antivirus product. It is modern and has better threat intelligence than other products. I don't know SentinelOne very well yet, as we have just purchased the subscription, but I know that the difference between products is not based on virus definitions.

SentinelOne has intelligence on the cloud and many other security features including the blocking of domain names, and the blocking of USB drives that users plug into their laptops. Although it has many more features than legacy antivirus software, I have no complaints about the performance of Microsoft Defender.

One of the reasons we are more heavily relying on endpoint security is that everybody is working from home and using the internet for work. This transition was made within the last two or three months. When people were working in the office, the firewall afforded them protection. However, as it is now, the endpoints are more vulnerable to attack. This is why we now rely more heavily on SentinelOne.

How was the initial setup?

Microsoft Defender comes preinstalled with the Windows operating system, so we do not have to deploy it separately.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

The subscription is part of Windows, so we don't have to pay anything extra for this product.

What other advice do I have?

This is definitely a product that I recommend people use because first of all, you do not have to pay anything extra to use it. The performance is very smooth and it protects your system, which is very much needed. All in all, I would say that this is a good antivirus solution.

I would rate Microsoft Defender Antivirus an eight out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
Download our free Microsoft Defender for Endpoint Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.
Updated: January 2025
Buyer's Guide
Download our free Microsoft Defender for Endpoint Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.