Free Antivirus Advice for Windows 8.1

I got a new laptop last month and the free Norton trial is up in 4 days. Much as I like Norton, I have no credit card with which I can renew it online and it's a pain in the neck to buy a new disc every year. I was going to download Microsoft Security Essentials, but...

Microsoft said:

Windows Defender for Windows 8.1 and Windows RT 8.1 provides built-in protection against malware. You can't use Microsoft Security Essentials with Windows 8.1, but you don't need to—Windows Defender is already included and ready to go.

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My computer has Windows 8.1.

Is Windows Defender good enough, even temporarily? If not, is there a free antivirus program you could recommend that's compatible with 8.1? Or will I need to buy Norton anyway?

Thanks in advance.

Thanks, guys!

kuwisdelu said:

Microsoft Security Essentials was re-branded to Windows Defender for Windows 8 and later.

They're the same thing.

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Matera the Mad said:

Yep. Relax. Be happy they included something useful for a change.

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Hmm, never though about it that way.