Microsoft Antivirus

Microsoft Antivirus software has enjoyed positive reviews from critics and users alike. Microsoft Antivirus is a free download available to PC owners with a valid Windows operating system. This antivirus software comes in the Microsoft Security Essentials package and has been proven to be an effective defense against malware, viruses and other harmful programs. Microsoft Antivirus is available for download for users with Windows XP, Windows 7 or Vista. The download file size is small and contains some great features.

Microsoft Antivirus Performance

Microsoft Antivirus performed at a comparable rate to other antivirus software, blocking 98 percent of malware in a diagnostic test. In proactive tests that measure how good antivirus software is at detecting new, unidentified types of malware, Microsoft Antivirus did exceptionally well. As new and even more malicious software evolves, new malware can elude computers’ antivirus software detection. However, Microsoft Antivirus is highly proficient at identifying and tagging evolving malware and keeps your PC safeguarded.

Microsoft Antivirus performed well in boot time and shutdown time, impressively excelling past most of the competition. The major drawback, however, is that Microsoft Antivirus appears to have a slow scanning time compared to other security platforms. This could, perhaps, be a result of its sophisticated approach to identifying new types of malware, so it might be in the best interest of the consumer in spite of being slower than other antivirus software.

Overall, Microsoft's antivirus software performance ranks high. In addition to revamped security measures, it also sports an intuitive, user-friendly interface, which has especially impressed reviewers because it comes preconfigured. Its graphic user interface (GUI) is one of the simplest and easiest-to-use interfaces available. A simple color system where red is bad and green is good informs you of the software's scanning status.

Upon installation, Microsoft Antivirus conveniently updates without bothering you with the requirement for manual updates. It automatically updates three times a day so you can relax and enjoy worry-free protection. Installing the software is quick and easy. Depending on which version of Windows you have, the software requires only a dainty 3.8MB to 4.8 MB of disk space and usually takes less than four minutes to download. Thankfully, setting up the software requires no personal information or registration.

Microsoft Antivirus claims that updates are user friendly in other ways as well. If Automatic Update is switched on, for instance, the core anti-malware engine updates seamlessly without being a nuisance to the user. Microsoft Antivirus indicates that it is functioning through a single, tiny icon rather than cumbersome browser toolbars or other desktop gadgets that can slow down your computer's running time. The software has been tested and shown to use between 35MB and 50MB of RAM, and Microsoft reports that it has made distinctive performance advancements for both memory and CPU usage.

Another impressive feature of Microsoft Antivirus is that once it detects a malicious file, it eliminates the malware and restarts, undertaking an even more detailed search. This is because malware often travels in packs, and checking twice provides tighter coverage.

Conclusion

Microsoft Antivirus provides a detail-oriented, user-friendly approach to PC protection. Despite its longer-than-average scanning time, Microsoft Antivirus enjoys a good reputation, provides excellent security and engages new and innovative methods for detecting malware.

At TopTenREVIEWS We Do the Research So You Don't Have To.™