The answer is simple for most of the
average home users, because WD on Windows 10 is one of the best
free AVs.
- You do not need to install it.
- It can protect you, as good as any free good AV.
- You do not need to fight with broken Windows Updates.
- You do not worry if it will work properly after the next Windows Update.
- It has a better anti script/macro protection than most free AVs.
- The known WD performance issues are usually invisible for the average users, except some (not common) hardware/software configurations.
- No nags and adware notifications.
- Advanced firewall is usually not needed in the home environment.
- You can trust M$ as much as other AV vendors, and sometimes more. Furthermore, M$ knows you already because you use M$ Windows.
- It cannot be easily bypassed on Windows ver. 1903 (upcoming). No one bothered to bypass it on the home user computers.
The answer can be simple also for the
advanced users (in the free AV category):
- You can configure advanced WD features (ASR rules, Network Protection, Controlled Folder Access, etc.) via PowerShell or using ConfigureDefender tool. You cannot do it, for example, when using Kaspersky free or BitDefender free.
- You can quickly turn OFF/ON the protection when doing computer management tasks (file copying/comparing/compressing/decompressing etc.).
- You can use folders to store executables. Why to keep all of them in one folder?
- You can harden Windows Firewall and home router.
So, is WD the best solution for everyone? No, and there does not exist such a solution.
Should every one stick with WD? No, and the answer would be the same with Kaspersky or another good AV.