question about antimalware program for new laptop- which program is sugested?

Hi my friend just got a new HP laptop and I installed windows defender for antivirus program but somehow about an hour after I installed it the computer got infected with the Contenko.com browser hijacker.

I think after I left my friend tried to install java and flash and after he tried to do that it got infected. So I am wondering why windows defender did not catch that virus?

Is there a better program that would be better so this does not happen again? I ended up doing a restore and it seems all traces are gone but I dont want it to happen again so just checking if any other programs are sugested?

I know superantispyware and malwarebytes are good for cleaning but they do not auto run and auto protect (unless you have the paid version) so I am wondering if the paid version is a good idea for them to get? Or would another program be better?