Microsoft Defender #1 in Antivirus Software
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Score over time
Score 49.8 (95% CI 46.9–52.4) as of 2026-07-13. The trend line appears once a second monthly run lands.
Shaded band = 95% bootstrap confidence interval. Orange markers = methodology events (model releases, panel versions). How this works
By model
Perplexity
Gemini (Google)
ChatGPT (OpenAI)
Claude (Anthropic)
By question type
Where Microsoft Defender shows up, by the intent behind the question. Every antivirus software panel asks the same balanced mix — 10 prompts per type — so these rates are directly comparable. A gap here (strong on recommendations, invisible on comparisons) is where AI visibility is being won or lost.
| Question type | Mentioned | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Recommendations “What's the best option for me?” | 43% | |
| Comparisons “How do the top options stack up?” | 15% | |
| Ready to buy “Which one should I actually get?” | 44% | |
| Problem-solving “I have this problem — what fixes it?” | 43% | |
| Informational “How does this kind of product work?” | 50% |
What the AIs say
Real answers from the latest measurement in which Microsoft Defender appeared — the receipts behind the score.
Claude (Anthropic) · listed #1
"I think I have a virus on my laptop, what steps should I take?"
…important accounts until the device is cleared ## Diagnosis & Removal 3. **Run a full antivirus scan** - Use your existing antivirus (Windows Defender, etc.) or install a reputable one - Consider a second opinion scanner like Malwarebytes for additional detection 4. **Boot into Safe Mode** if the virus is preventing normal s…
Gemini (Google) · recommended · listed #1
"My laptop seems infected with malware, what's the best way to handle this?"
…or Apple Silicon Macs). --- ### Phase 3: Scan and Remove Once in Safe Mode, it’s time to find and destroy the malware. #### Step 1: Use Windows Defender Offline Scan (Windows Users) If you are on Windows, the built-in antivirus has a powerful offline mode that scans your computer before the operating system even boots up. 1. Go to…
ChatGPT (OpenAI) · recommended · listed #1
"My computer is running super slow after installing an antivirus, what should I do?"
…finition updates; install Windows/macOS updates. 2. Check for multiple security products: running two real‑time AV engines (e.g., your AV + Windows Defender) can create conflicts. Uninstall one — keep only one real‑time scanner. 3. Adjust AV settings: - Schedule full scans for off‑hours (night). - Lower scan intensity or exclude…
Perplexity · recommended · listed #1
"Should I spend more money on a premium antivirus plan instead of the basic version?"
…avioral analysis) and **extra privacy tools** (like VPNs and dark web monitoring) that basic versions lack. For most users, the built-in **Microsoft Defender** or a reputable **free antivirus** provides sufficient *core* malware protection, as detection rates for known threats are often nearly identical between free and premium version…
Where the AIs get it from
Domains cited by search-backed answers that mentioned Microsoft Defender (125 answers, 2026-07-13). Your own domain is highlighted — presence in the others is the GEO opportunity.
| Cited domain | Answers citing it |
|---|---|
| reddit.com | 121 |
| youtube.com | 75 |
| learn.microsoft.com own domain | 64 |
| pcmag.com | 55 |
| security.org | 50 |
| cnet.com | 32 |
| allaboutcookies.org | 26 |
| kaspersky.com | 24 |
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Head-to-head: Microsoft Defender vs Bitdefender · Microsoft Defender vs Malwarebytes · Microsoft Defender vs Norton — or the full Antivirus Software leaderboard.
Data from run #58. Methodology