Malwarebytes vs Windows Security
Windows Security — the protection built into Windows 10 and Windows 11, still widely called Windows Defender — is the resident antivirus on most PCs, free and already configured. Malwarebytes is an additional anti-malware product whose free tier scans on demand and whose paid tier adds real-time layers.
Neither is universally better. For most people the useful answer is that Windows Security is a sound baseline, and Malwarebytes earns its place either as an on-demand second opinion or, on the paid tier, as an extra real-time layer for a PC that handles money or work.
A note on the names
Microsoft's consumer security app has been called Windows Security since 2019; the underlying antivirus engine is Microsoft Defender Antivirus. 'Windows Defender' is the older brand name and remains what most people type into a search box, so we use it here for recognition — it is not the current official product name.
Feature comparison
| Feature | Windows Security | Malwarebytes |
|---|---|---|
| Built into Windows | Yes | No — separate install |
| Malware scanning | Yes | Yes |
| Real-time protection | Yes, included | Paid tier only |
| On-demand scans | Yes, including an offline scan | Yes, on the free tier too |
| Malware removal | Yes | Yes |
| Web protection | Via SmartScreen in Microsoft Edge | Paid tier, browser-independent |
| Additional features | Firewall, device security, family and account protection | Exploit mitigation, ransomware behavior monitoring, add-on tools |
| Free availability | Free with Windows | Free manual scanner; paid tier for real-time |
| Windows 10 compatibility | Yes | Yes (64-bit) |
| Windows 11 compatibility | Yes | Yes |
Feature sets change with each release, and we do not publish detection benchmarks of our own. For scored lab results, consult independent testing organisations directly rather than any site summarising them second-hand.
When Windows Security is the better fit
- You want zero extra software, licences or subscriptions.
- The PC is kept patched and used for everyday browsing, email and documents.
- You value deep operating-system integration — tamper protection, controlled folder access, an offline scan at boot.
- It is a low-spec machine where a second resident engine would hurt performance.
When Malwarebytes is useful as well
- Symptoms persist after Windows Security reports a clean result — the classic second-opinion case.
- Adware, browser hijackers and bundled unwanted programs are the recurring problem.
- You want ransomware behavior monitoring and web filtering that works outside Microsoft Edge.
- You clean other people's PCs and want an independent engine in the toolkit.
The free tier covers the first two situations at no cost — see what the free version includes.
Can you run both?
Yes, and it is the normal configuration. The free manual scanner has no resident component, so nothing conflicts. If you enable the paid real-time protection, Windows registers it and steps its own real-time scanning aside while keeping the firewall and its other protections active — you should not disable Windows Security by hand.
The scan guide explains how to run both engines in sequence when you are troubleshooting.
The honest summary
Windows Security plus prompt updates plus careful download habits is a defensible setup for a typical home PC. Adding a second on-demand scanner costs nothing and improves your odds when something goes wrong. Paying for a second real-time product is worth it when the machine holds something you cannot afford to lose — and it is a supplement, never a reason to switch the built-in protection off.
Frequently asked questions
Is Windows Defender enough on its own?
For a patched PC used carefully, it is a reasonable baseline. Adding an on-demand scanner for second opinions is a cheap improvement.
Should I disable Windows Security if I install Malwarebytes?
No. Windows manages that automatically when a third-party real-time product registers itself, and the free tier does not require any change.
Which one detects more malware?
Both use multiple detection layers and neither wins across the board. We do not run our own detection tests, so we do not publish scores.
Do I need both on Windows 11?
Not necessarily. Windows 11 ships with Windows Security enabled; a second scanner is optional and most valuable during cleanup.
Malware-Bytes.net is an independent information resource about malware protection for Windows. We are not Malwarebytes, and this site is not the official Malwarebytes website or support channel. Malwarebytes is a trademark of Malwarebytes Inc.