AVG screw up, can you help?

[Paper Roses]

Recently I bought a refurbished computer from my guru, Win 7. The old XP bit the dust.

As before, I installed AVG. Since then, things have become very confusing. I tried to download AVG free from MajorGeeks, What I got was some free trial of a paid version, did not ask for it, can not get rid of the damn thing. I now have--through no intention of my own, the following:
AVG PC Tune-up
AVG Protection
AVG Web Tune-up.
I keep getting notices from them that I have to do one thing or another, run this or that, or something. I can't get rid of anything. I am now told that I am not properly protected.

If I click on their notices, it wants we to run some optimization deal. scan again...whatever.
I want to get rid of all this junk. I would like to install either AVG(the free one) or another anti-virus.
This has become a pain in the backside.

Any ideas how I can get the plain vanilla version. I can remove the three things listed in 'all programs' but am not sure how to get the free version without this baloney starting again.
Help please.

I will post another question about Firefox and all the blank tabs the open but that is another post.

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

1. Your decision of course but I gave up on AVG

It installed tune-up tools, helpers and other stuff that slowed the pc and I didn't like the results.
I switched to MS Security Essentials. To get rid of AVG completely I went to the Programs and Features part of the control panel.

[hobbit709]

2. Rule #1 in downloading software: GO DIRECTLY to the website of what you want.

And MSE works.

[-none]

4. Good advice!

Rule #1 in downloading software: GO DIRECTLY to the website of what you want.

Also use unchecky. http://unchecky.com/
It works and is very intrusive, unless you are really screwing up. I also use WOT and ghostry.

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

3. I found the free link for AVG but still advise using MSE

http://www.avg.com/thank-you?product=gsr&build=ppc_freegsr-1025

[Paper Roses]

5. Thanks everyone. I removed all the AVG stuff and installed MSE.

I now have MSE and Malwarebytes. Is this all I need?
Your help is greatly appreciated.

Don't know what I would do without your expect advice. I am still in the computer dark ages.

[BlueJazz]

6. Might want to download Revo uninstaller. It (usually) gets rid of stuff left over in the registry.

http://www.revouninstaller.com/revo_uninstaller_free_download.html

Scroll down for free version.

[Gore1FL]

7. You may have gotton the free-for-a-while full version instead of the free always version

I'd be inclined to uninstall and install the free one, or uninstall and install something else like MSE.