The following table describes what to expect when Microsoft Defender Antivirus is in active mode, passive mode, or disabled. Comparing active mode, passive mode, and disabled mode To learn more, see Microsoft Defender Antivirus compatibility.

It depends on the operating system used and whether your device is onboarded to Defender for Endpoint. If you're using a non-Microsoft antivirus/antimalware product on your device, you might be able to run Microsoft Defender Antivirus in passive mode alongside the non-Microsoft antivirus solution. Compatibility with other antivirus products Microsoft Defender Antivirus is built into Windows, and it works with Microsoft Defender for Endpoint to provide protection on your device and in the cloud. This protection brings together machine learning, big-data analysis, in-depth threat resistance research, and the Microsoft cloud infrastructure to protect devices (or endpoints) in your organization. Microsoft Defender Antivirus is a major component of your next-generation protection in Microsoft Defender for Endpoint.

Microsoft Defender Antivirus is available in Windows 10 and Windows 11, and in versions of Windows Server.

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint Plans 1 and 2.

However, as Rubenking points out, there are much better free services you should use anyway. So for any confused Microsoft OS users: No, you don't have to pay for the built-in antivirus protector. For Mac and Android (but not iOS), you can pay a small subscription fee to use Microsoft's antivirus software.

Microsoft Defender for Individuals is only available as part of a paid subscription to the Microsoft 365 (opens in a new tab) cloud-based office service and strictly protects non-Windows devices.

However, with the recent announcement of Microsoft Defender for Individuals, many are wondering: Do I have to pay for this now?Īs Neil Rubenking at (opens in a new tab) reports, the short answer is no, not really. It's been with the OS since the early 90's when it was called Microsoft Anti-Virus for MS-DOS and it's always been free. If you've ever rocked with a Microsoft operating system at any point in your life, you're probably familiar with Microsoft Defender Antivirus.

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