Cannot endorse AVG anti-virus anymore...too bad

I say too bad in regards to years ago when I would recommend a free anti-virus to friends, I would immediately say AVG.  However, I can no longer do so.  Besides the obvious, the handling of virus/malware, my number one criteria for any antivirus program is that it stays out of the way.  By this, I mean, I do not want constant reminders of what a great job it is doing and constant attempts to sell me something.  Over the past couple of years, AVG has failed miserably.  Anytime you have to spend time clicking off pop-up windows from your anti-virus for messages not related to an actual malware detection, you need to find another program.   Strangely, I do not even use AVG and I am still annoyed because of a toolbar that somehow got installed on my system.  It was easily removed (well not really, but I did get it off), but the fact that a company that is in the business of protecting your computer, resorts to drive-by downloads of their useless toolbar is the final straw.  How can you trust a company that employs the same tactics to get software on your computer that malware authors use?  The toolbar changed settings on multiple browsers and is a pain in the rear to deal with.  Now that I have vented, any suggestions on other free anti-virus programs that do not annoy?