The number of malware infections globally declined from 9.9 billion in 2019 to 5.6 billion in 2020, according to Statista, reaching its lowest level in five years. Even while the stats are positive, this is not the time for complacency.

Can A Computer Run More Than One Antivirus Program
Can A Computer Run More Than One Antivirus Program

Can A Computer Run More Than One Antivirus Program, even with the recent rise in global ransomware assaults, you still need to make sure your machine is running the greatest antivirus program available.

You could be tempted to run several antivirus apps on your computer as a result. However, is it a good idea and can it be executed?

Yes and no, respectively, is the quick response to the first question. We’ll go into more depth about these issues and explain why you should or shouldn’t use several antivirus programs on your computer in the following guide.

Video: Can you use more than one antivirus?

Can you use more than one antivirus

CAN I USE MANY ANTIVIRUSES ON MY COMPUTER?

Since 2005, Windows Defender has had its current form of antivirus software. It has officially begun to be packaged with Windows 8.1 by Microsoft. You have the option to first use Windows Defender with your antivirus software or turn it off entirely. But things quickly changed.

Can A Computer Run More Than One Antivirus Program

The default setting for third-party antivirus installation these days is to disable Windows Defender. You can, however, turn it back on and use both antivirus programs together. 

This is one method of using numerous antivirus programs on your computer. You can, however, install one more antivirus software from a third party and utilize all three at once.

The clear answer is that you can run numerous antivirus apps simultaneously on your computer. But how do you use Windows Defender in conjunction with a different antivirus program? Continue reading for instructions in the following section.

Should you have multiple antivirus programs installed on your computer?

One anti-virus program is all that is needed, so don’t install others. When multiple anti-virus tools are loaded into RAM, it can lead to resource drain, incompatibilities, false positives, and compromised security.

HOW TO RUN YOUR ANTIVIRUS ALONG WITH WINDOWS DEFENDER?

ANTIVIRUS ALONG WITH WINDOWS DEFENDER
ANTIVIRUS ALONG WITH WINDOWS DEFENDER

You can re-enable Windows Defender if you’re using the most recent build of Windows 10 by following these instructions:

  • Launch the Start button (Winkey)
  • Enter the search term “Windows Security” into the search field.
  • Click on Virus & threat protection in the left panel.
  • Select Windows Defender Antivirus options by navigating to the bottom of the main panel.
  • Turn on periodic scanning

When you use this option, Windows Defender or any anti-virus software will only do sporadic scans in order to avoid interfering with your primary antivirus software.

IS HAVING MANY ANTIVIRUS PROGRAMS BAD AND WHY?

ANTIVIRUS PROGRAMS BAD AND WHY
ANTIVIRUS PROGRAMS BAD AND WHY

Multiple free antivirus software or Norton antivirus apps running simultaneously on your computer can sound like a smart idea, but it’s not. You may logically assume that it would increase your security.

Most of the time, the opposite is true. Your noble intentions could backfire horribly. You should not run several antivirus apps on your computer for the following reasons:

1. An Excessive Demand on System Resources

Running only one powerful antivirus program might be very demanding on your computer. Trying to use many antivirus programs at once can cause your system to sputter, especially if you do not have a powerful computer.

We specifically advise against using several bitdefender antivirus programs on a laptop that is being powered by its battery. Antiviruses can consume a lot of memory and processing power, which will consume more energy.

Even if your computer can handle the system load, freezes and crashes are still likely to happen.

2. Obstruction

Antivirus software may clash with one another. Antivirus programs frequently cause as much disruption as the viruses they are meant to stop. The likelihood of false positives is increased if you use different antivirus programs.

Unless you choose otherwise, your anti-virus places suspect apps in a quarantine vault when it discovers them. Both antivirus programs may find the same suspicious program or file if they run scans simultaneously.

This could result in a conflict that causes your antivirus software to momentarily cease working, or even worse, it could cause your operating system to crash (especially if it’s Windows).

3. Extra Administrative

One antivirus can need a lot of administrative work to configure and maintain. Antivirus software today has a ton of customizable features. You must choose the ones that your system needs.

Antivirus configuration is time- and effort-consuming due to the anti-virus protection industry’s expanding complexity. You must also indicate how each antivirus responds to threats when they are discovered. Additionally, you must configure each antivirus scan exception (if you have any).

HOW COME YOU WOULD WANT TO RUN MANY ANTIVIRUSES?

WOULD WANT TO RUN MANY ANTIVIRUSES
WOULD WANT TO RUN MANY ANTIVIRUSES

Why you shouldn’t use numerous antivirus programs on your PC has been discussed. There must be some benefit to it, though. Here are two benefits of using various antivirus programs.

1. A Second Opinion

Antivirus software is not created equal. Although businesses make an effort to keep ahead of the curve, not all of them can have the most recent definitions and scans. In real-world healthcare situations, second opinions are crucial. The security and health of your computer are identical.

You can get a second opinion scan by installing a second antivirus on your computer. To determine which anti-viruses give the best protection and integrate seamlessly with their systems, professional software security specialists will want to install and test a variety of anti-virus programs.

2. Some Antiviruses Have Features That Others Do Not

Some antivirus programs just provide the bare minimum of security. They have a quarantine vault, a firewall, and maybe a real-time scanner. Their real-time scanner, nevertheless, might have superb definitions and be state-of-the-art.

Installing a second avast free antivirus with extra functionality in this situation is OK. especially if you require something to safeguard you against ransomware and assist you in monitoring your network activity. You must set up these antivirus programs to cooperate with one another, though.

TIPS FOR EFFECTIVELY RUNNING MANY ANTIVIRUSES

The best method to protect your system resources if you insist on using numerous antivirus programs is to optimize how they operate or interact with one another. While the other performs a scan, you may put one antivirus in-game or silent mode. Some antivirus programs let you choose which components function in what ways.

EFFECTIVELY RUNNING MANY ANTIVIRUSES
EFFECTIVELY RUNNING MANY ANTIVIRUSES

For instance, Avast is a fantastic example of this despite its dubious privacy history. It has a number of firewalls, sandboxes, shields,comput virus scans, etc. You can decide the features you want to turn on or off.

If you intend to run numerous antivirus programs, you must set up each one so that they won’t conflict with one another. Once more, the exclusions and scan rules for every antivirus program must be the same.

Alternatives To Running Several Antivirus Software Programs

To get a second opinion scan, you don’t need to run numerous antivirus programs continuously. You can download free internet scanners for one-time scans from companies like ESET.

If a particular function isn’t included with your antivirus software, you can download or buy an alternative program. Why not download TinyWall, for example, if you want a more feature-rich firewall?

How To Fix AVG Antivirus That Won’t Uninstall? (Easy Guide)

CONCLUSION

Having one tried, tested, and reliable anti-virus is preferable to running several. Many antivirus programs provide free or demo versions.

Individual testing is the most effective testing method. Of course, reading reviews online can save you time. However, we sincerely hope that you have found this information to be useful. Please leave a comment in the section below if you have any inquiries, concerns, or criticisms. As always, I appreciate you reading.

References:

https://www.kaspersky.com/resource-center/preemptive-safety/running-more-than-one-antivirus-program#:~:text=The%20short%20answer%20is%20yes,suitable%20level%20within%20the%20computer.

https://www.quora.com/What-would-happen-if-two-antiviruses-were-installed-on-one-computer

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if you have more than one antivirus program on the computer?

Only one antivirus program should be active at once. Multiple antivirus programs running at once consume more memory and can cause conflicts, misleading virus alarms, and reduced security.

Is it OK to have multiple antivirus programs on a device?

Having multiple antivirus programs installed won’t significantly increase the security of your computer and is really more likely to make things worse. If a genuine threat is discovered on your machine, the effects are even worse.

Can I have Norton and McAfee at the same time?

Both Norton and McAfee claim that their respective companies’ security software is incompatible with that of the other. Running both at once could lead to malware outbreaks, slow computer performance, or software issues.

Should I uninstall one antivirus before installing another?

Before installing a new antivirus application, it is best to completely delete the old one. It’s possible for uninstallers or the program they’re attempting to uninstall to get corrupted at times. This may also result in issues including the partial removal of some components of a security program.

What is the most used antivirus software?

Because its subscriptions provide security for every device in the home at an affordable price, McAfee Antivirus Plus is our top pick for multiple devices.

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