What is the BEST Anti-virus download for Windows 7 Home Edition

You need both an anti-virus and an anti-malware solution with real-time protection for maximum protection in Windows 7.

An anti-virus program alone does not provide comprehensive protection and cannot prevent, detect and remove all threats at any given time. Anti-virus software is inherently reactive...meaning it usually finds malware after a computer has been infected. Anti-virus and anti-malware programs each perform different tasks as it relates to computer security and threat detection. Essentially, they look for and remove different types of malicious threats.

In simplistic terms, Anti-virus programs use massive databases with different scanning engines and detection methods to scan for infectious malware which includes viruses, worms, Trojans, rootkis and bots.

Anti-malware programs use smaller databases and generally tend to focus more on adware, spyware, unwanted toolbars, browser hijackers, potentially unwanted programs and potentially unsafe applications.

Anti-virus and Anti-malware solutions with anti-exploitation features protect against zero-day malware, drive-by downloads, exploits and Exploit Kits.

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free is just a stand-alone scanner which offers advanced malware detection and removal...it does not provide any real-time protection and therefore, it cannot be used to block or prevent malware infection.

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Premium includes a real-time Protection Module that uses advanced heuristics scanning technology to monitor your system, prevent access to and from known malicious webpages, and prevent the installation of most new malware, stopping malware distribution at the source...it is not free but it is worth the investment.

• Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free vs Premium features
• What's the difference between the Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free and Premium?

Also...you may be interested in reading this...

Announcing Beta of Malwarebytes 3.0, a Next-Generation Antivirus Replacement

BTW...Zeus (aka Zbot) is a Trojan.

There is no universal "one size fits all" solution that works for everyone and there is no single best anti-virus. Every vendor's virus lab and program scanning engine is different. Each has has its own strengths and weaknesses and they often use a mix of technologies to detect and remove malware.

Choosing an anti-virus is a matter of personal preference, your needs, your technical ability and experience, features offered, user friendliness, ease of updating (and upgrading to new program release), ease of installation/removal, availability of quality/prompt technical support from the vendor and price. Other factors to consider include detection rates and methods, scanning engine effectiveness, how often virus definitions are updated, the amount of resources the program utilizes, how it may affect system performance and what will work best for your system. A particular anti-virus that works well for one person may not work as well for another. Everyone's system is different and sometimes you may need to experiment and find the one most suitable for your needs.

If you don't mind paying, I generally recommend ESET NOD32 Anti-Virus or Emsisoft Anti-Malware as they leave a small footprint...meaning they are not intrusive and do not utilize a lot of system resources which slow down performance. Kaspersky Anti-virus is also a good choice for the same reason. If you don't want to pay, then I would recommend either Sophos Home Free Antivirus or Bitdefender Anti-virus Free Edition if you prefer not to use Windows 8/10 Defender or Microsoft Security Essentials.

Keep in mind that many anti-virus vendors are bundling toolbars and other software with their products as a cost recoup measure. In fact, all free Anti-virus programs now come with toolbars or other bundled software (and annoying prompts to upgrade) except Bitdefender Free, Sophos Home, Microsoft Security Essentials and Windows 8/10 Defender.

• Beware: Free Antivirus Isn’t Really Free Anymore
• Has the antivirus industry gone mad?!

For more suggestions see Choosing an Anti-Virus Program.

Windows Defender is automatically turned  off, and I am unable to turn it on

That's normal and how it should be.

See point 34 in this Wiki: Microsoft Security Essentials Consolidated FAQ

Some other wikis/articles which might be of interest:

• Microsoft Security Essentials Update FAQ
• Configure Microsoft Security Essentials

Thank you so very much for your speedy reply Quietman7,I appreciate it, I will look into the suggested recommendations...

I wondered if I could bother you once more for your help, I am running Windows 7 Home Edition, which has Microsoft Security Essentials, and Malwarebytes Anti-Malware version 2.2.1.1043 Windows Firewall Windows Defender is automatically turned  off, and I am unable to turn it on, My question to you is do I have enough protection, or should I pursue the recommended ones by you...I know I probably sound nutty to you, but I am a relatively newbie

computer user, I was told that I could get a virus called "ZEUS" if I do not get better protection,

true or false Quietman7???

Thank you once again for your time and kind help...

Sincerely.