Windows Defender - Pro's & Con's

[Ink]

Updated version of my #15.

Windows Defender Security Center for Windows 10 OS
Advantages

• Windows Defender is baked into Windows 10 OS with Antivirus and Malware Protection. All users are protected out of the box.
  • Independent testing sites indicated WD has a very low FP rate
• Controlled Folder Access to restrict applications from modifying (ie. creating, deleting, encrypting) the contents of your personal files.
  • By default, both public and private user folders (ie. Documents, Pictures, Videos, Music, Desktop and Favorites) are protected.
  • Additional folders can be protected.
    
  • Users can add exceptions to trust an application to access the restricted folders.
• Microsoft Store, Edge browser and the Desktop environment are additionally protected by Smartscreen (Application Reputation)
  • An active Internet connection is required for ideal results.
• Exploit protection now included which provides a configurable interface for Windows 10's finer security.
  • By default, it's configured for most people's need
  • Technical knowledge required to understand and configure
• Windows automatically monitors Windows Updates, Storage, Drivers and Battery life for potential issues
  
• Windows Firewall is compatible with third-party security and has been proven to be effective for most users.
  • Advanced settings available for user-defined rules.
• Available Parental controls for Family accounts

Disadvantages

• Latest features require latest OS stable builds
• PUA/PUP detection not enabled by default or configurable from Interface
  
• Older hardware may experience a negative performance impact by running Windows Defender (ie. slower removal of threats, installing updates, scanning times)
  
• Device & Storage Encryption not a standard feature (ie. Windows 10 Home)
  
• Lacking an improved File & System Backup system that's comparable with existing third-party solutions, and one that is independent of OneDrive.
  
• Currently no Fluent-design UI (as of Sept. 2017) and some "features" misplaced under other places.

Recommendations for Windows 10 in 2018:

• Primary disk should be a SSD
  
• Core i5 or equivalent (any of most recent gens.)
  
• At least 8GB DDR3/3L/4 of RAM
• Unlimited bandwidth Internet connection

 

[jackuars]

Here's a list of points that everyone contributed

Pros
1. Integrated with windows & no installation required
2. Improved malware protection with good detection ratio
3. Part of security center
4. Doesn't slowdown boot
5. Ransomware & exploit file protection with controlled folder access (to restrict apps from modifying the contents of public/private user files)
6. Good compatibility with most programs (few issues)
7. Extremely low false positive rate
8. Parental controls for family accounts
9. Can be configured with Andy Ful's ConfigureDefender utility to unlock advanced features
10. Advanced Windows firewall for user-defined rules

Cons
1. Inconsistent detection. (sometimes detects/blocks the same file)
2. Buggy advanced exploit protections
3. Lower detection (poor scanning signatures) but better on file execution (cloud)
4. High CPU usage during full scan & updates
5. Not many extra features
6. Longer update time & sometimes corrupt definition database
7. Slow copying speed due to slow scanning & no noticeable caching method
8. Slow & buggy malware removal
9. Not easy to be disabled
10. Bad exclusion/white-listing method
11. Horrible UI and less user-friendly
12. Takes a long time to dispaly folder with many exe's
13. PUP detection not enabled by default