Think Twice On McAfee AV Install! Other options?

If you ever have the option to install McAfee AV, think twice about it! If the system comes with it installed, you might want to get it removed! As for alternatives, I'm uncertain at this time. Someone recommended to me to just stick with Windows Defender and use Google Chrome for web browsing instead of IE, because a lot of the AV products tend to develop problems as time goes on with all of the updating, but if that were the case, then Windows Defender would be prone to the same issues, would it not?
Nevertheless, I still prefer having something extra working proactively for web browsing that can work without any conflicts. This way if a website or link exhibits suspicious behavior, I'll be alerted and just avoid/blacklist it. I've heard mixed reviews about Windows Defender, and I really don't have much faith in MS when it comes to AV protection.

Ever since approximately 2 weeks ago, trying to open the McAfee control panel takes around 3-5 minutes(or even longer), and then another 3-5 minutes for it to respond. I checked resource usage of the system and I don't see anything going on(high CPU use with fans running, large amount of reading/writing to the drive, updates, etc.) in that area which would explain it.
Basically, it tells me McAfee software is going down the toilet when my system and all of the other applications work fine while in contrast, accessing and using the McAfee control panel is like working in frozen molasses. 10 days left on the 3-year subscription which I definitely won't be renewing!

I use Firefox for ISP and Norton for AV.   Even though Norton might be a more resource hungry than others and do a little worse in false positives, etc, I have had no reason to change from Comcast free Norton to paying .   

    Yes, you re right.   I'm so confused.