Windows Defender tricks that speed up your PC without sacrificing security

Here is a 195-word summary of the news article: The article provides several tips to speed up your PC without sacrificing security, with a focus on optimizing Microsoft Defender. Antivirus programs can be resource-intensive, especially on older PCs. Upgrading to an SSD and increasing RAM can significantly improve performance. For day-to-day use, the article recommends running quick scans instead of full scans, which can take hours. In Windows Defender, you can schedule weekly quick scans by adjusting the task scheduler settings. Another way to reduce scan times is to exclude certain file types from the antivirus checks, such as graphics and sound files. This can shorten scan times without compromising security, as malware typically targets executable files and document macros. Windows 11 also offers "dev drives" using the ReFS file system, which allows for asynchronous virus scanning. Applications installed on these drives can launch faster, though this comes with a slight security trade-off. Overall, the article provides practical tips to optimize antivirus performance, especially for Microsoft Defender, without sacrificing the crucial protection it provides.