[ikk157]

Exactly my experience.  Kaspersky hogged so many resources it was so bad that I couldn't use my laptop - it would completely freeze up.

I then ended up with using Microsoft Security Essentials (for Windows 7) and although probably not the best anti-virus out there, for me it's worked fine for a few years now.  In the end I also dumped Kaspersky for my desktop computer and am also using Microsoft Security Essentials for my desktop as well.  I also use the free version of Malwarebytes, which is not ideal as it is not real time, but when I remember I use the scanner.  Must say the full real time premium version of Malwarebytes is super expensive.  On top of all of the other expenses one has to pay for one's Internet hobby, it's just a trifle too much for me to justify having.

Isn’t the Microsoft Security Essentials just the old version of Windows defender? I forgot to mention this, but I’m on windows 8.1. So Windows defender comes pre-installed.

As for malwarebytes, as I’ve previously mentioned, i think not having real time protection is an advantage in my case. This lets me run it whenever i want, instead of having it constantly using up the very few resources my laptop has with its real time feature. Have you found the scans to be effective?