Windows Defender vs. MSE

I've always wondered whether Microsoft Security Essentials is basically Windows Defender, plus some added protection. I'm running MSE. But I often wonder if I should use a freebie instead, like Bitdefender or Avast. But with those I always get some system slowdown, as well as constant scare tactics to upgrade to the paid version. On the whole, I am very careful, and don't really have a large online exposure. I only log in on sites if I'm going to post something. Currently, the only place I'm doing any posting is this site itself. On a typical day I usually only visit a handful of sites, and nothing "shady."

So, should I stay on MSE, use BD or Avast, or just go back to Windows Defender? I understand that it gets the same updates as windows 10 and 11. Is that true?

Thanks,

michael

In my opinion MSE I have always found it to be a tad superior to Defender, however answering your question, yes, even today in windows 7 MSE regularly receives the same definitions every day that windows 10 and 11 receive.

michael diemer said:

.... should I stay on MSE, use BD or Avast, or just go back to Windows Defender? I understand that it gets the same updates as windows 10 and 11. Is that true?l

ScoobyDoo2004 said:

....yes, even today in windows 7 MSE regularly receives the same definitions every day that windows 10 and 11 receive.

Yes, MSE in W7 and Windows Security in W11 get exactly the same updates for the Scan Engine and Antivirus definitions.

Thanks Bree and ScoobyDoo2004, that's good to know. I'll stay with MSE. Hopefully it will still work with W7 for the foreseeable future. After that I'll need something else.