Microsoft Security Essentials

[JD]

After recent bad experiences with CA Anti-virus (false positives), I'm
thinking of switching to MSE. I downloaded the setup file but have not
installed it yet.
I know it's only been out for a short while, but has anyone bad, or good,
experiences with it?
Should I uninstall my current AV program before installing MSE?
I also run Windows Defender. Will that conflict with MSE, or should it be
uninstalled also?

 

[Bruce Hagen]

After recent bad experiences with CA Anti-virus (false positives), I'm
thinking of switching to MSE. I downloaded the setup file but have not
installed it yet.
I know it's only been out for a short while, but has anyone bad, or
good, experiences with it?
Should I uninstall my current AV program before installing MSE?
I also run Windows Defender. Will that conflict with MSE, or should it
be uninstalled also?

I have been using MSE for a few months and find it to work very well. MSE
contains Windows Defender and will either disable or remove your current
WD download.
--
Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP [Mail]
Imperial Beach, CA


Download and Save MSE. Close all online programs. Remove your current AV
and then install MSE.

 

[Nil]

Should I uninstall my current AV program before installing MSE?

You don't need to uninstall it, but you must disable it's resident and
automatic scanning features. It's OK to keep it around for the
occasional on-demand scan.

I also run Windows Defender. Will that conflict with MSE, or
should it be uninstalled also?

I believe MSE will disable WD during its installation.

 

[JD]

Thanks Bruce. I will do as you suggest. Since MSE "contains" Windows
Defender, it seems to make sense to remove it as well.
Do I assume correctly that MSE will provide frequent (maybe daily) updates,
and allow the occasional "full system scan"?
BTW, is this essentially the same as the online scan offered by
Microsoft--which includes, interestingly, an option to "clean" the Registry?

After recent bad experiences with CA Anti-virus (false positives), I'm
thinking of switching to MSE. I downloaded the setup file but have not
installed it yet.
I know it's only been out for a short while, but has anyone bad, or good,
experiences with it?
Should I uninstall my current AV program before installing MSE?
I also run Windows Defender. Will that conflict with MSE, or should it be
uninstalled also?

I have been using MSE for a few months and find it to work very well. MSE
contains Windows Defender and will either disable or remove your current
WD download.
--
Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP [Mail]
Imperial Beach, CA


Download and Save MSE. Close all online programs. Remove your current AV
and then install MSE.

 

[Bruce Hagen]

Thanks Bruce. I will do as you suggest. Since MSE "contains" Windows
Defender, it seems to make sense to remove it as well.
Do I assume correctly that MSE will provide frequent (maybe daily)
updates, and allow the occasional "full system scan"?
BTW, is this essentially the same as the online scan offered by
Microsoft--which includes, interestingly, an option to "clean" the
Registry?

It doesn't clean the registry. Can you show me a link to what you are
referring to?

It will give you updates as they are available. You can do Quick or Full
scans manually and set a time & day to run scans if you wish.

With some operating systems, MSE removes Windows Defender, and some just
disable it. I don't recall which is which at the moment, but if you still
see it in Add/Remove when you have MSE installed, you can remove it if you
wish.
--
Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP [Mail]
Imperial Beach, CA


Microsoft Security Essentials:
http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/default.aspx

After recent bad experiences with CA Anti-virus (false positives), I'm
thinking of switching to MSE. I downloaded the setup file but have not
installed it yet.
I know it's only been out for a short while, but has anyone bad, or
good, experiences with it?
Should I uninstall my current AV program before installing MSE?
I also run Windows Defender. Will that conflict with MSE, or should it
be uninstalled also?

I have been using MSE for a few months and find it to work very well.
MSE contains Windows Defender and will either disable or remove your
current WD download.
--
Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP [Mail]
Imperial Beach, CA


Download and Save MSE. Close all online programs. Remove your current
AV and then install MSE.

 

[JD]

I was referring to the Windows OneCare Safety Scanner, which offers three
different scans, one of which claims to "clean" the registry.
http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/default.htm

Thanks Bruce. I will do as you suggest. Since MSE "contains" Windows
Defender, it seems to make sense to remove it as well.
Do I assume correctly that MSE will provide frequent (maybe daily)
updates, and allow the occasional "full system scan"?
BTW, is this essentially the same as the online scan offered by
Microsoft--which includes, interestingly, an option to "clean" the
Registry?

It doesn't clean the registry. Can you show me a link to what you are
referring to?

It will give you updates as they are available. You can do Quick or Full
scans manually and set a time & day to run scans if you wish.

With some operating systems, MSE removes Windows Defender, and some just
disable it. I don't recall which is which at the moment, but if you still
see it in Add/Remove when you have MSE installed, you can remove it if you
wish.
--
Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP [Mail]
Imperial Beach, CA


Microsoft Security Essentials:
http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/default.aspx

After recent bad experiences with CA Anti-virus (false positives), I'm
thinking of switching to MSE. I downloaded the setup file but have not
installed it yet.
I know it's only been out for a short while, but has anyone bad, or
good, experiences with it?
Should I uninstall my current AV program before installing MSE?
I also run Windows Defender. Will that conflict with MSE, or should it
be uninstalled also?



I have been using MSE for a few months and find it to work very well.
MSE contains Windows Defender and will either disable or remove your
current WD download.
--
Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP [Mail]
Imperial Beach, CA


Download and Save MSE. Close all online programs. Remove your current AV
and then install MSE.

 

[Bruce Hagen]

That is a defunct program that was replaced with MSE.

Windows Live™ OneCare® End of Sale Guidance Page
http://onecare.live.com/standard/en-US/activation/oc_eol_guidance.htm
--
Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP [Mail]
Imperial Beach, CA

I was referring to the Windows OneCare Safety Scanner, which offers three
different scans, one of which claims to "clean" the registry.
http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/default.htm

Thanks Bruce. I will do as you suggest. Since MSE "contains" Windows
Defender, it seems to make sense to remove it as well.
Do I assume correctly that MSE will provide frequent (maybe daily)
updates, and allow the occasional "full system scan"?
BTW, is this essentially the same as the online scan offered by
Microsoft--which includes, interestingly, an option to "clean" the
Registry?

It doesn't clean the registry. Can you show me a link to what you are
referring to?

It will give you updates as they are available. You can do Quick or
Full scans manually and set a time & day to run scans if you wish.

With some operating systems, MSE removes Windows Defender, and some
just disable it. I don't recall which is which at the moment, but if
you still see it in Add/Remove when you have MSE installed, you can
remove it if you wish.
--
Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP [Mail]
Imperial Beach, CA


Microsoft Security Essentials:
http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/default.aspx

After recent bad experiences with CA Anti-virus (false positives),
I'm thinking of switching to MSE. I downloaded the setup file but
have not installed it yet.
I know it's only been out for a short while, but has anyone bad, or
good, experiences with it?
Should I uninstall my current AV program before installing MSE?
I also run Windows Defender. Will that conflict with MSE, or should
it be uninstalled also?



I have been using MSE for a few months and find it to work very well.
MSE contains Windows Defender and will either disable or remove your
current WD download.
--
Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP [Mail]
Imperial Beach, CA


Download and Save MSE. Close all online programs. Remove your current
AV and then install MSE.

 

[Daave]

I think you and JD are talking about different things. He's asking about
the free online scanning service which is often recommended by MVPs (who
are quick to add that users should avoid the registry-related "Tune Up"
option). Again:

http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/default.htm

Of course, Microsoft is true to form in using almost identical names for
different products!

That is a defunct program that was replaced with MSE.

Windows Live™ OneCare® End of Sale Guidance Page
http://onecare.live.com/standard/en-US/activation/oc_eol_guidance.htm

I was referring to the Windows OneCare Safety Scanner, which offers
three different scans, one of which claims to "clean" the registry.
http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/default.htm

Thanks Bruce. I will do as you suggest. Since MSE "contains"
Windows Defender, it seems to make sense to remove it as well.
Do I assume correctly that MSE will provide frequent (maybe daily)
updates, and allow the occasional "full system scan"?
BTW, is this essentially the same as the online scan offered by
Microsoft--which includes, interestingly, an option to "clean" the
Registry?


It doesn't clean the registry. Can you show me a link to what you
are referring to?

It will give you updates as they are available. You can do Quick or
Full scans manually and set a time & day to run scans if you wish.

With some operating systems, MSE removes Windows Defender, and some
just disable it. I don't recall which is which at the moment, but if
you still see it in Add/Remove when you have MSE installed, you can
remove it if you wish.
--
Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP [Mail]
Imperial Beach, CA


Microsoft Security Essentials:
http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/default.aspx






After recent bad experiences with CA Anti-virus (false
positives), I'm thinking of switching to MSE. I downloaded the
setup file but have not installed it yet.
I know it's only been out for a short while, but has anyone bad,
or good, experiences with it?
Should I uninstall my current AV program before installing MSE?
I also run Windows Defender. Will that conflict with MSE, or
should it be uninstalled also?



I have been using MSE for a few months and find it to work very
well. MSE contains Windows Defender and will either disable or
remove your current WD download.
--
Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP [Mail]
Imperial Beach, CA


Download and Save MSE. Close all online programs. Remove your
current AV and then install MSE.

 

[Bruce Hagen]

You're probably right. I'm not sure anymore if my name is Bruce, brUce, or
brucE.

I too would shy away from the reg cleaner aspect. IMHO, it simply is not
needed, so why take a chance.
--
Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP [Mail]
Imperial Beach, CA

I think you and JD are talking about different things. He's asking about
the free online scanning service which is often recommended by MVPs (who
are quick to add that users should avoid the registry-related "Tune Up"
option). Again:

http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/default.htm

Of course, Microsoft is true to form in using almost identical names for
different products!

That is a defunct program that was replaced with MSE.

Windows Live™ OneCare® End of Sale Guidance Page
http://onecare.live.com/standard/en-US/activation/oc_eol_guidance.htm

I was referring to the Windows OneCare Safety Scanner, which offers
three different scans, one of which claims to "clean" the registry.
http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/default.htm

Thanks Bruce. I will do as you suggest. Since MSE "contains"
Windows Defender, it seems to make sense to remove it as well.
Do I assume correctly that MSE will provide frequent (maybe daily)
updates, and allow the occasional "full system scan"?
BTW, is this essentially the same as the online scan offered by
Microsoft--which includes, interestingly, an option to "clean" the
Registry?


It doesn't clean the registry. Can you show me a link to what you
are referring to?

It will give you updates as they are available. You can do Quick or
Full scans manually and set a time & day to run scans if you wish.

With some operating systems, MSE removes Windows Defender, and some
just disable it. I don't recall which is which at the moment, but if
you still see it in Add/Remove when you have MSE installed, you can
remove it if you wish.
--
Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP [Mail]
Imperial Beach, CA


Microsoft Security Essentials:
http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/default.aspx






After recent bad experiences with CA Anti-virus (false
positives), I'm thinking of switching to MSE. I downloaded the
setup file but have not installed it yet.
I know it's only been out for a short while, but has anyone bad,
or good, experiences with it?
Should I uninstall my current AV program before installing MSE?
I also run Windows Defender. Will that conflict with MSE, or
should it be uninstalled also?



I have been using MSE for a few months and find it to work very
well. MSE contains Windows Defender and will either disable or
remove your current WD download.
--
Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP [Mail]
Imperial Beach, CA


Download and Save MSE. Close all online programs. Remove your
current AV and then install MSE.

 

[Daave]

True.

You're probably right. I'm not sure anymore if my name is Bruce,
brUce, or brucE.

I too would shy away from the reg cleaner aspect. IMHO, it simply is
not needed, so why take a chance.

I think you and JD are talking about different things. He's asking
about the free online scanning service which is often recommended by
MVPs (who are quick to add that users should avoid the
registry-related "Tune Up" option). Again:

http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/default.htm

Of course, Microsoft is true to form in using almost identical names
for different products!

That is a defunct program that was replaced with MSE.

Windows Live™ OneCare® End of Sale Guidance Page
http://onecare.live.com/standard/en-US/activation/oc_eol_guidance.htm

I was referring to the Windows OneCare Safety Scanner, which offers
three different scans, one of which claims to "clean" the registry.
http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/default.htm

Thanks Bruce. I will do as you suggest. Since MSE "contains"
Windows Defender, it seems to make sense to remove it as well.
Do I assume correctly that MSE will provide frequent (maybe
daily) updates, and allow the occasional "full system scan"?
BTW, is this essentially the same as the online scan offered by
Microsoft--which includes, interestingly, an option to "clean"
the Registry?


It doesn't clean the registry. Can you show me a link to what you
are referring to?

It will give you updates as they are available. You can do Quick
or Full scans manually and set a time & day to run scans if you
wish. With some operating systems, MSE removes Windows Defender,
and
some just disable it. I don't recall which is which at the
moment, but if you still see it in Add/Remove when you have MSE
installed, you can remove it if you wish.
--
Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP [Mail]
Imperial Beach, CA


Microsoft Security Essentials:
http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/default.aspx






After recent bad experiences with CA Anti-virus (false
positives), I'm thinking of switching to MSE. I downloaded the
setup file but have not installed it yet.
I know it's only been out for a short while, but has anyone
bad, or good, experiences with it?
Should I uninstall my current AV program before installing MSE?
I also run Windows Defender. Will that conflict with MSE, or
should it be uninstalled also?



I have been using MSE for a few months and find it to work very
well. MSE contains Windows Defender and will either disable or
remove your current WD download.
--
Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP [Mail]
Imperial Beach, CA


Download and Save MSE. Close all online programs. Remove your
current AV and then install MSE.

 

[Smirnoff]

You don't need to uninstall it, but you must disable it's resident and
automatic scanning features. It's OK to keep it around for the
occasional on-demand scan.


I believe MSE will disable WD during its installation.

Don't agree about just disabling your current AV. Even using it for an
occasional on-demand scan will clash with MSE. Never run two AVs at the same
time.

People have reported problems with MSE even after UNINSTALLING their current
AV. Remnants of the program still remain and MSE is reported to use large
amounts of CPU whilst this is the case. See:

http://social.answers.microsoft.com...t/thread/407bf6da-c05d-4546-8788-0aa4c25a1f91

Use ALL the clean up tools, you may have tried different AVs in the past and
forgotten about them.

Anti-malware programmes like Malwarebytes and Superantispyware are a
different story. If you use the FREE versions, they do not have "real-time"
protection and these CAN be used to run on-demand scans.

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

If your posts had an MVP tag we might be able to tell you. <eg>

You're probably right. I'm not sure anymore if my name is Bruce, brUce, or
brucE.

I too would shy away from the reg cleaner aspect. IMHO, it simply is not
needed, so why take a chance.

I think you and JD are talking about different things. He's asking about
the free online scanning service which is often recommended by MVPs (who
are quick to add that users should avoid the registry-related "Tune Up"
option). Again:

http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/default.htm

Of course, Microsoft is true to form in using almost identical names for
different products!

That is a defunct program that was replaced with MSE.

Windows Live™ OneCare® End of Sale Guidance Page
http://onecare.live.com/standard/en-US/activation/oc_eol_guidance.htm

I was referring to the Windows OneCare Safety Scanner, which offers
three different scans, one of which claims to "clean" the registry.
http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/default.htm

Thanks Bruce. I will do as you suggest. Since MSE "contains"
Windows Defender, it seems to make sense to remove it as well.
Do I assume correctly that MSE will provide frequent (maybe daily)
updates, and allow the occasional "full system scan"?
BTW, is this essentially the same as the online scan offered by
Microsoft--which includes, interestingly, an option to "clean" the
Registry?


It doesn't clean the registry. Can you show me a link to what you
are referring to?

It will give you updates as they are available. You can do Quick or
Full scans manually and set a time & day to run scans if you wish.

With some operating systems, MSE removes Windows Defender, and some
just disable it. I don't recall which is which at the moment, but if
you still see it in Add/Remove when you have MSE installed, you can
remove it if you wish.
--
Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP [Mail]
Imperial Beach, CA


Microsoft Security Essentials:
http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/default.aspx






After recent bad experiences with CA Anti-virus (false
positives), I'm thinking of switching to MSE. I downloaded the
setup file but have not installed it yet.
I know it's only been out for a short while, but has anyone bad,
or good, experiences with it?
Should I uninstall my current AV program before installing MSE?
I also run Windows Defender. Will that conflict with MSE, or
should it be uninstalled also?



I have been using MSE for a few months and find it to work very
well. MSE contains Windows Defender and will either disable or
remove your current WD download.
--
Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP [Mail]
Imperial Beach, CA


Download and Save MSE. Close all online programs. Remove your
current AV and then install MSE.

 

[Nil]

Don't agree about just disabling your current AV. Even using it
for an occasional on-demand scan will clash with MSE. Never run
two AVs at the same time.

You're probably right. I have done it before (not with MSE) and there
could be be potential for a clash.

 

[Teflon]

Do I assume correctly that MSE will provide frequent (maybe daily) updates,

If so, is this 'frequent' update function provided via Windows
Update?

If so, does that mean that WU needs to be set on automatic?

If so, how does one screen other MS product updates before they are
unilaterally applied by WU?

Do I worry needlessly?

 

[Smirnoff]

If so, is this 'frequent' update function provided via Windows
Update?

If so, does that mean that WU needs to be set on automatic?

If so, how does one screen other MS product updates before they are
unilaterally applied by WU?

Do I worry needlessly?

Yes, you do worry needlessly.

I have MS updates set to "Notify but not download or install".

However, MSE definition updates install automatically. If I look at "Review
update history" in MS updates under "Source", it tells me that these are
from "Other source" (i.e. not Microsoft update or automatic update").

In my case, MSE updates daily about 10 minutes after boot up. If it finds a
file that it isn't sure of, it will call for the latest definition updates
at ANY time.

There is no need to set MS updates to automatic, I am still only informed of
normal/critical updates as my setting requests.

 

[Teflon]

Yes, you do worry needlessly.

I have MS updates set to "Notify but not download  or install".

However, MSE definition updates install automatically. If I look at "Review
update history" in MS updates under "Source", it tells me that these are
from "Other source" (i.e. not Microsoft update or automatic update").

In my case, MSE updates daily about 10 minutes after boot up. If it findsa
file that it isn't sure of, it will call for the latest definition updates
at ANY time.

There is no need to set MS updates to automatic, I am still only informedof
normal/critical updates as my setting requests.

Thank you for clarifying that. I appreciate the thoroughness and
upbeat tone of your response. Some of the Usenet 'experts' write with
such a demeaning tone, I wonder why they bother to respond. Must be
to salve some personal demons. Thanks again.

 

[Smirnoff]

Thank you for clarifying that. I appreciate the thoroughness and
upbeat tone of your response. Some of the Usenet 'experts' write with
such a demeaning tone, I wonder why they bother to respond. Must be
to salve some personal demons. Thanks again.

You're welcome.

Please see my other post in this thread. MSE doesn't like remnants of any
other AV programme, even if they have been uninstalled!

Free versions of Malwarebytes and Superantispyware are OK. They are not AV
programmes but anti-malware and they don't have "real-time" protection.
Handy for occasional on-demand scan.