Unfortunately it's called Microsoft Security Essentials, universally rated as not good...as a result of a deal with the AV software companies because OEMs get paid for the AV trial bloatware they put on computers and MS wanted no problems with the OEMs.

@Raiddinn: 

Fact: MS will be putting the start menu back. They're doing that because their sales suck.

I like W7 for me. Didn't tell you to adopt it or to roll back. I simply don't want an OS that I'll have to update hardware for, and  then add more software to give it the functionality of W7.

The facts I quote you aren't convincing you, so...let it be. Enjoy W8.1... AGAIN, I have no problem with you enjoying it.

I just don't enjoy using it.

And that sure beats the hell out of the pre-installed Norton Malware Trialware found on way too many OEM machines.   I spend far too much time uninstalling it for people after it expired and the owner wanted to use somening else.  I'll take MSE out of the box, and then be offered choices later over that any day.

Sure, there are people that don't know how to install an AV properly, or much else for that matter, and what they do install is why they need an AV in the first place.

They do because that many computers running old software could pose a risk to the whole internet.

Raiddinn I was going to reply some more but the bottom line is as Doc stated, use which OS you like, just don't expect or want everyone else to use the same OS.  As consumers we all have the right to make our own decisions, that does include you.

Installing an AV program goes to 'babysitting the user' and not so much to whether or not the core OS is or isn't more secure.  That's where you should do some reading as the new OS kernel and newer (much more secure) memory handling etc. DO in fact mean that Win8 is 'more secure than anything else they have released to date'. 

ELAM, secureboot, APP sandboxing and the fact that ASLR (address space layout randomization) has been greatly increased in Windows 8 are just a few ways through which it is in fact more secure........by default!  Of course any user can break an OS, but then that's not the OS's fault now is it?

I heard the only reason MS insisted on secureboot was to lock out people from switching to Linux.

kona......sometimes I'm not even sure if your comments are serious......

I was being serious. There was a big deal about it a few months ago. Something about that fact that secureboot locks out BIOS to only letting you boot MS Windows. Several articles were written about it.

https://www.linux.com/learn/tutorials/588498-uefi-secure-boot-big-hassle-questionable-benefit

Your statement......

....is conjecture and completely ignores the other even more significant features I listed; which as I pointed out......DO in fact mean that Win8 is more secure ...and that by default!

the_Monk: Still haven't done your assignment, eh?

Bad boy! 

That can't be true. It has to be a case by case basis. after all, I could buy a system with Windows 8 and deliberately install a virus on it. It is no more secure than Windows 7. It all depends on what the user does, his browsing habits, downloads, ect, ect.

Kona logic:

No, a Mercedes is not more expensive than a bicycle.  Perhaps the person who "bought" the Mercedes actually stole it while the person who bought the bicycle got it plated in pure gold...

kona, if you take the time to google "security and Windows 8", you'll find a host of articles which will discuss how W8 is innately more secure than its predecessors.

That isn't to say it's more usable or user friendly than W7. Its security is better and quieter than W7's but without SD software and until "Threshold" comes, it looks like crap.

However , it isn't fool proof. There's no such thing as an OS impervious to all malware.

All computers look better without SD software.

EXACTLY my point. There are some that come close, but they aren't named "Windows".