Windows 7: Help with Anti-Virus Software

Hey guys I am looking to install a anti-virus program on my pc and need help. I do not want to pay for any software. I'm looking at either the Microsoft Security Essentials or Mcafee Total Protection 2009 which I get free through my internet provider. Which do yall suggest? Any reviews by people on here that have used one or both? Thanks very much for your help

Microsoft Security Essentials

Actually it all depends on your preferences.
Both of them are good products.

Both McAfee and MSE has nice detection and prevention rate.
McAfee Total protection 2009 offers more features and options, as it's full system protection suite, whereas MSE is only AntiVirus and AntiSpyware.

So McAfee additionally to it offers 2 way Firewall, Parental Control, siteadvisor, Anti Spam (not sure if MSE has this one or not ) and I think Data Backup.
But I personally found McAfee a bit heavy on resourses and all those additional features of course need more resources from your PC.

MSE on the other hand is very light and easy to use. Recommended and used by a few people in this forums, so you can get support even from here
But dark side of using MSE (not really dark, just a bit disadvantage compared to McAfee total protection ) is that as I already mentioned it only offers AntiVirus and Antispyware. So you will either have to use Windows native Firewall or other third part firewall.
Same goes to features like Parental Control, data backup and etc.

So, it all comes down to you.
Do you prefer to have one even though heavy program to control all aspects.
Or get one light program to control your AV&AS part and get more specialised programs to other aspects of your system..

McAfee Total protection 2009 is not free.

I get the mcafee free from my internet provider. Thanks for the suggestions. Im still unsure. I wanted to use MSE but I want it to fully protect me like Mcafee does.

Ok if i do decide to go with MSE do I need to have any other programs also or will this cover me enough? I see it has gotten really good reviews. If another program is needed which one? Thanks

If you go with the free MSE and also download the free malwarebytes, you will have full protection

Malwarebytes.org

Malwarebytes is a welcome addition to any A/V software

Ok thanks very much for your help

MSE & Malwarebytes over McAfee IMHO

Does MSE do anything about scanning emails? Should I be worried about that?