Almost half of Windows users do not need an additional antivirus and rely on Microsoft Defender. This emerges from a survey of ITdaily readers.

The range of antivirus software is huge and almost every laptop has an antivirus program installed. Since Windows Vista, Microsoft Defender has been the permanent antivirus on Windows laptops. Microsoft Defender has only gotten better over the years, and benchmark tests consistently rank the built-in antivirus as the best solution for Windows (though not the most efficient).

Because Microsoft Defender does its job well, Windows users often no longer feel the need to install additional antivirus software. Almost half, 48 percent to be exact, put the security of their device in the hands of Defender. This is the result of a survey of our readers, in which 291 respondents took part. This also makes Defender by far the most used antivirus program for Windows.

Rather pay than free

Those looking for another antivirus also seem willing to pay for it. Twelve percent say they pay or have paid for the antivirus program. We didn’t ask about specific brands in the survey.

Five percent use a free non-Microsoft antivirus program. Paid packages usually offer more functionality than a free antivirus. Fifteen percent use the antivirus program they receive from their employer.

Get rid of bloatware

Some laptop manufacturers dare to give you the choice of antivirus software and ship a partner company’s solution as standard with the device. They think they’re doing us a service, but the opposite is true.

Only two percent of Windows users actually use the antivirus that came with the laptop. A clear message to laptop manufacturers that we don’t need McAfee and other bloatware.

Curious about the results of our previous reader surveys? View the overview here.