WOW

You'll have to wait until one of the security experts comes along like zep or raven but .. It sure looks like you've over-done some things.

I would have kept Trend Micro until it ran out. (It's a good one)

You may be right. :)

Wish I could be more help.
I use Microsoft Security Essentials, Malwarebytes and Super antispyware
I also use Comodo firewall instead of windows firewall.

If you wanted to pay for an excellent anti-virus program .. my vote would go to ESETS Nod32

Windows firewall on Win 7 is a good 2 way firewall there is no real need for any other. Windows Defender is a very good anti malware program also, fully automatic and free.

Yes you would/could easily have 300,000 files, Win7 comes on a DVD not a CD plus all the extra programs you have installed. Doubt very much that you have done anything wrong

On my Windows 7 computer I have been running only MS Essentials and their firewall, nothing else. This has been since MS Essentials came available around last September

Windows Defender has been on a friend's Vista computer for almost 2 year now and they have never had an issue with malware. This is a first time computer user also.

See link for disabling windows Firewall.

I like Microsoft Security Essentials also. Installing Microsoft Security Essentials will disable Windows defender automatically by the way. I would have also got rid of Trend Micro too big. Avast and Defender are a good combo so your ok there. I think you have a good combination. Let Avast take as much time as needed to scan users get in to much of a hurry to have these scans finished. Avast is scanning all the time anyway so your better off doing your manual scans with Malwarebytes. Tell you the truth I don't run scans much unless I feel something is not right then I run Malwarebytes first, Malwarebytes is king! I do run cleaners though, and clear out Temp files often.

Here is a link that might be useful: windows-firewall-turn-off.

Thank you, everyone, for the responses. I depend on your so much...I don't know what I'd do without you!

Would I be all right in downloading Microsoft Security Essentials, keeping Avast and Malwarebytes, then getting rid of the other security programs? I just want to be sure I'm covered...can you tell?
Pam

No, Avast is an Anti Virus program. Microsoft Security Essentials is also an Anti Virus programs.

Only run 1 Anti Virus Program. Your ok with Avast if you wanted to change for what ever reason it would be necessary to uninstall Avast.

Same with a Firewall Only use 1 at a time.

And the same with Spyware protection only 1 Anti Spyware program should be Actively running. Your ok here with Windows Defender.

Malwarebytes is not a security program, this is where a lot of people get confused it does not scan the computer in real time in the background. It's an ON-Demand scanner you choose to scan with it. Always keep Malwarebytes update it and run it once every so often.

You cannot uninstall windows defender by the way, you can only disable it but you don't want to do that in your particular case it's your Spyware protection, it will target different files that your Anti Virus will not.

I would keep your computer just as you have it now!

Agree just leave AVAST for now since you have it on and it is running well you are good there with an active Antivirus program. What I suggest people do with Avast is to set up the scanner in screen saver, go to your screen saver settings area and select Avast screensaver from the list, in Advanced you can select which screen saver to have it use while Avast scans. Save your settings then anytime your pc goes to screen saver it will start scanning, when it is interrupted it stops then starts where it left off the last time etc, works great. As Zep said AVAST is constantly scanning so you really don't have to do scans like you do with others.

I would go with the windows firewall it is a decent firewall. But if you want to use zone alarm since you have it that is fine but you do have to turn off the windows one like zep gave directions for.

You have the same programs I use, malwarebytes, superantispyware, spywareblaster, update weekly and do scans.

That first AVAST scan does take a long time to run and yes windows 7 is a large program so you will have a lot of files to scan.

You are applying a very good layered protection on your pc.
Just remember to also use the secunia software inspector to keep all programs updated too.

Thank you Zep and RC. I have uninstalled ZA. Thank you for telling me about using Avast/screensaver. I followed your instructions and got that set up.

I suppose ALL those files are what makes Windows 7 so user friendly.

Again, I appreciate you.
Pam