Charles,

In my professional opinion, I would not bother installing any anti-malware on an up-to-date Windows system.  The built-in Windows Security/Defender (whatever they are calling it these days) is just as good as any third-party tool (which is to say, only moderately good) and stays "out of the way" much more than any third-party product.  Most of those products cause more problems than they solve.  What you should do is have your "daily driver" account NOT be an admin.  Have a separate admin account that is only used for updating or making system-level changes.  

Between a separate admin account and keeping your MS products and browsers updated, you are already protected 95%.  The next 4.5% is your ability to recognize social engineering and the last bit is the anti-malware software (of any branding).

Erich


On Saturday, May 18, 2024 at 17:39, Charles Meyer eloquently inscribed:

> My esteemed listmates,
> 
> I've tried to install Malwarebytes for *free* a few times on a PC W10.
> 
> Each time I get stuk where you can't do anything at the 14 day premium
> window.
> 
> I click Ignore but nothing happens.
> 
> I found several posts that say thise
> 
> https://support.malwarebytes.com/hc/en-us/articles/360040972954-
> Deactivate-Premium-Trial-in-Malwarebytes-for-Windows-v4
> 
> You can't click the Settings (cog) , nothing on the screen clicks.
> 
> I then uninstalled the MB and visited Settings > Accounts but there is
> no Deactivate.
> 
> Have you found an equivalent or better application than Malwarebytes?
> 
> Thank you,
> 
> Charles.
> 
> Charlotte County Public Library