Free Antivirus with ood Ransomware Protection

What’s the best FREE antivirus do you all recommend? The reason I asked for good ransomware protection is because I’ve been using Windows Defender lately, and it’s controlled folder access feature is ass. This feature has been blocking me all sort of stuffs such as downloads for games, etc.

Of course I can exclude this programs if Defender is blocking it but there are many to exclude and excluding manualy every single one of them is tiring. Not to mention everyday I download files again so might need to exclude it again.

Also I know I can turn it off too, but I don’t want all files not be blocked with Windows Defender because there maybe some stuff actually dangerous that can’t be excluded.

I tried using Kaspersky Security Cloud but not 100% trusting it because of the current situation on Russia, so please answer if it’s safe.

And please I said FREE, I don’t have money to buy a license monthly. I really need a answer right now, thanks.