Why ESET is better than Windows Defender

There is no need to uninstall your current ESET security solution on Windows 10

Despite what Windows Defender might suggest, ESET is still protecting you and removing it will not make you more secure. Read on to learn the answers to all your PC security-related questions.

Compare Security

See how ESET provides multiple extra layers of protection.

ESET NOD32 Antivirus

ESET Internet Security

Windows Defender

Antivirus

Cloud-Powered Scanning

Advanced Scanning Technologies

Device Control (USB, DVD, Bluetooth)

Multi-Layered Protection

Free Support in Local Language

Banking & Payment Protection

Parental Control

ESET NOD32 Antivirus

Antivirus

Cloud-powered Scanning

Advanced Scanning Technologies

Device Control (USB, DVD, Bluetooth)

Multi-Layered Protection

Free Support in Local Language

ESET Internet Security

Antivirus

Cloud-powered Scanning

Advanced Scanning Technologies

Device Control (USB, DVD, Bluetooth)

Multi-Layered Protection

Free Support in Local Language

Banking & Payment Protection

Parental Control

Windows Defender

Antivirus

Cloud-Powered Scanning

Compare Security

See how ESET provides multiple extra layers of protection.

ESET Smart Security

ESET Smart Security Premium

Windows Defender

Antivirus

Cloud-Powered Scanning

Exploit Blocker

Multi-Layered Protection

Anti-Theft

Banking & Payment Protection

Advanced Scanning Technologies

Device Control (USB, DVD, Bluetooth)

Free Support in Local Language

Password manager and Data encryption

ESET Smart Security

Antivirus

Cloud-powered Scanning

Exploit Blocker

Multi-Layered Protection

Anti-Theft

Banking & Payment Protection

Advanced Scanning Technologies

Device Control (USB, DVD, Bluetooth)

Free Support in Local Language

ESET Smart Security Premium

Antivirus

Cloud-powered Scanning

Exploit Blocker

Multi-Layered Protection

Anti-Theft

Banking & Payment Protection

Advanced Scanning Technologies

Device Control (USB, DVD, Bluetooth)

Free Support in Local Language

Password manager and Data encryption

Windows Defender

Antivirus

Cloud-Powered Scanning

Compare Performance

False alarms A false alarm is when a safe file is flagged as infected. The more false alarms a security solution produces, the less reliable it is.
AV-Comparatives, March 2016
*Lower impact score is better

Protection accuracy Protection Accuracy indicates how effectively the product dealt with threats. Points are earned for detecting the threat and for either blocking or neutralizing it.
SE Labs, October-December 2016

Impact on system performance
AV-Comparatives, October 2016

Frequently asked questions

Is my ESET solution compatible with Windows 10 and Windows 10 Anniversary Release?

For more information about the compatibility of ESET solutions and Windows 10, please visit our Windows 10 compatibility page.

What has changed with Windows 10 Anniversary Release and Windows Defender? Why am I seeing Windows Defender notifications?

The 'Anniversary' release Windows 10 update - changed the way that Windows Defender is displayed, by showing its status as "Off" if any third-party antivirus protection is in use. This can look alarming, but if our ESET solution is active and running, there is no need to uninstall it. Switching to Windows Defender actually means that you lose multiple extra layers of ESET security compared to Microsoft's built-in basic antivirus. ESET also advises to switch off Limited Periodic Scanning; we explain how to do this in a dedicated ESET Support article. It is still not known exactly how this periodic scanning will affect installed AV solutions, but there can be interference, computer performance can be affected, and there will be a heightened risk of false positives.

See above for a detailed comparison of what you get with ESET - and what you don't get with Windows Defender.

The 'Anniversary' release Windows 10 update - changed the way that Windows Defender is displayed, by showing its status as "Off" if any third-party antivirus protection is in use. This can look alarming, but if our ESET solution is active and running, there is no need to uninstall it. Switching to Windows Defender actually means that you lose multiple extra layers of ESET security compared to Microsoft's built-in basic antivirus. ESET also advises to switch off Limited Periodic Scanning; we explain how to do this in a dedicated ESET Support article. It is still not known exactly how this periodic scanning will affect installed AV solutions, but there can be interference, computer performance can be affected, and there will be a heightened risk of false positives.

See above for a detailed comparison of what you get with ESET - and what you don't get with Windows Defender.

Since when is the Windows 10 Anniversary Release available?

August 2, 2016.

How does it affect you?

With Windows Defender and its periodic scanning turned on, you can encounter false alarms (also known as false positives) from the periodic scanning, as well as observe unwanted notifications that his system is not secure – despite it actually being fully secure when an ESET product is installed, updated and active.

Do I need to have Windows Defender turned on?

No, if ESET is installed and up to date, there is no need of trying to enable Windows Defender. It is not recommended to run Windows Defender and ESET solution at the same time as it may lead to OS freezes and deadlocks.

How can I disable Windows Defender notifications?

To stop Windows Defender from prompting you to uninstall your existing security solution, you can disable notifications in Windows Defender settings.

For a step-by-step guide on how to do this, just visit ESET Support.

Does ESET offer more features than Windows Defender?

ESET has been providing proven, lightweight security solutions with several layers of security for nearly 30 years. The latest versions of selected ESET products for Windows include, for instance:

  • Cloud Malware Protection System
  • Botnet Protection
  • Network Attack Protection
  • DNA Signatures
  • ESET LiveGrid ®
  • Exploit Blocker
  • Advanced Memory Scanner
  • Secure Browser
  • Router & Webcam Protection
  • Ransomware Protection

None of these features is offered by Windows Defender.

For more information, visit this page describing ESET’s leading-edge technology: www.eset.com/gr-en/about/technology/

By heeding the advice of Microsoft Windows Defender to uninstall the ESET product (which it does not actually mention by name), you will lose some or all of the benefits above, despite having paid for a valid license.

What the experts say

“Yes, it’s true that Windows 8 and Windows 10 have antivirus built right in, but in our tests and most independent lab tests, Windows Defender hasn’t done very well.”

PC Mag

“ESET achieved a 100 percent malware detection rate in both test segments – real-time test and reference set...”

AV-Test

"ESET have continuously participated in our tests for a decade and we are happy to see ongoing commitment to product improvement."

AV-Comparatives

Computer Bild, one of the biggest IT magazines in Germany, and responsible for the most important antivirus tests in that country, published its latest Internet Security Test results in February 2016. ESET Smart Security 9 beat all its competitors to be declared the overall winner.

I want my ESET back!

If you have uninstalled ESET, no problem: it’s easy to get it back.
Just click below, and follow the instructions.

Home products

ESET Internet Security

ESET NOD32 Antivirus

ESET Smart
Security

ESET Smart Security

ESET Smart Security Premium

Business products

ESET Endpoint Security

ESET Endpoint Antivirus


Need more help?

If you still have questions about ESET and Windows Defender, please contact us: