Windows Defender is the built-in antivirus and antimalware protection software included with Windows operating systems. It[SQ]s a free, always-on security solution designed to protect your computer from various threats, including :

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Viruses:

Malicious programs designed to damage or disrupt your computer.
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Spyware:

Programs that secretly monitor your activity and gather personal information.
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Trojans:

Malicious programs disguised as legitimate software.
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Ransomware:

Malicious software that encrypts your files and demands a ransom for their release.
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Rootkits:

Programs designed to hide their presence on your system.
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Other malware:

A broad category encompassing various malicious software.


Windows Defender offers several features to protect your system:

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Real-time protection:

Constantly monitors your system for threats.
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Scheduled scans:

Automatically scans your system at set intervals.
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On-demand scans:

Allows you to manually scan specific files or folders.
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Firewall:

Helps to protect your computer from unauthorized network access.
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Application control:

Can block or allow specific applications from running.
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Exploit protection:

Helps to mitigate attacks that exploit vulnerabilities in software.
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Network protection:

Helps to protect your computer from threats that come from the internet.


While generally effective, Windows Defender is considered a basic level of protection. For more advanced features and protection against sophisticated threats, some users might choose to supplement or replace it with a third-party antivirus solution. However, it[SQ]s a significant improvement over having no antivirus at all and provides a solid baseline for most users.