Free Microsoft Security Essentials Alternatives for Windows

There are many alternatives to Microsoft Security Essentials for Windows and since it's discontinued a lot of people are looking for a replacement. The best free Windows alternative is Avast Free Antivirus. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 25 alternatives to Microsoft Security Essentials and many of them are free and available for Windows so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting free Windows alternatives to Microsoft Security Essentials are ClamAV, Microsoft Defender, Bitdefender Antivirus and Avira Antivirus.

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Microsoft Security Essentials alternatives page was last updated

Alternatives list

  1. Provides free real-time protection against viruses, malware, spyware, and ransomware, with secure HTTPS scanning, customizable scans, password management, home network security, antiphishing, Smart Scan, rescue disk creation, and software updating.

    137 Avast Free Antivirus alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
     
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    1
    Avast Free Antivirus vs Microsoft Security Essentials Comments
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    more features, more customisable

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    • Avast Free Antivirus is Freemium and ProprietaryMicrosoft Security Essentials is Free and Proprietary
  2. ClamAV icon
     249 likes

    Clam AntiVirus is an open source (GPL) anti-virus toolkit for UNIX, designed especially for e-mail scanning on mail gateways. It provides a number of utilities including a flexible and scalable multi-threaded daemon, a command line scanner and advanced tool for automatic...

    100 ClamAV alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
     
  3. Windows Security (known as Windows Defender Antivirus before Windows 10 May 2020 Update, Windows Defender before Windows 10 Creators Update, or Microsoft Defender Antivirus before Windows 11) is an anti-malware component of Microsoft Windows.

    108 Microsoft Defender alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free Personal
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
     
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    1
    Microsoft Defender vs Microsoft Security Essentials Comments
    Guest
    Positive
    1

    Windows Defender antivirus is same as Microsoft Security Essentials,but more protection,scan more new viruses,new engine,but only available in Windows 10

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    • Microsoft Defender is Free Personal and ProprietaryMicrosoft Security Essentials is Free and Proprietary
  4. Free antivirus offering comprehensive protection with real-time threat detection, AI-powered security, lightweight performance, Game mode, user-friendly interface, and auto updates. Supports multiple platforms and provides live customer support. Ideal for all users.

    62 Bitdefender Antivirus alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
     
  5. Avira Antivirus icon
     407 likes

    Offers real-time protection from malware, ransomware, viruses, and spyware, with advanced repair, browser safety, software updates, VPN, PC optimization tools, cloud-based updates, and system clean-up. Available for Windows, MacOS, Android, and iOS devices.

    77 Avira Antivirus alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
     
  6. AVG AntiVirus icon
     286 likes

    AVG AntiVirus Free provides basic antivirus and antispyware protection for home users. Virus database updated every day. Includes innovative LinkScanner for web-protection.

    75 AVG AntiVirus alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    • Chrome OS
     
  7. ClamWin icon
     122 likes

    ClamWin is a free, open-source antivirus software for Microsoft Windows, using the ClamAV engine. It has an easy-to-use installer and its source code is publicly available. It features high detection rates for viruses and spyware, a scanning scheduler, and automatic updates of...

    67 ClamWin alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • PortableApps.com
     
  8. Panda Dome icon
     71 likes

    Panda Antivirus protects you while you work, play, or browse online.

    Antivirus Protection Real-time protection against all types of malware and spyware. Schedule periodic scans and/or scan your computer on demand.

    USB protection Protect your PC by preventing the automatic execu.

    66 Panda Dome alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
     
  9. Comodo Antivirus eliminates viruses, spyware, and other malware from desktops and networks.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Bundleware

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
     
  10. NANO Antivirus and NANO Antivirus Pro provide protection from all types of malware and include real-time file and network protection and remediation, regular 24/7 updates from the NANO Security antivirus laboratory, an intuitive interface and well-balanced settings for casual users.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
     
  11. FREE emergency system repair from a CD/DVD disk or a bootable USB drive to be used if your Windows system is rendered non-bootable by malware.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
     
12 of 23 Microsoft Security Essentials alternatives