MSE updates now 'optional' (was recommended) -WHY?

[occam]

I have noticed that the daily Microsoft Security Essentials updates have
been re-classified (downgraded) to be 'optional'.

On 19/04/2010 they were released as 'recommended'

On 20/04/2010 and on, they ae being released as 'optional'

Anyone know why? (I normally ignore optionals, only go for manual
'recommended' updates. This puts a spanner in the works.)

 

[Stephen Boots MVP-Windows Live]

First of all, you are in the wrong place to discuss Microsoft Security
Essentials as these newsgroups are for Windows Defender.
The MSE forums can be found here:
http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/category/mse
See these two threads/posts:
http://social.answers.microsoft.com...e/thread/74e507b8-f6da-4eca-8ce7-d1aca7d3f1ba
http://social.answers.microsoft.com...e/thread/af4a5fff-c014-45b3-991b-cfd589a23aed

The updates you see in WU *are* optional as updates happen internall
via MSE. The FAQ for MSE explains that MSE checks for updates once per
24 hours on its own schedule. With the latest version of MSE they also
deploy updates via WU/AU/MU to give people an even better chance of
getting updated signatures. However, they were makred recommended
which caused the AU notification to appear for some advising that
updates were available. That was not the intent, so they now deploy
them as optional.
Bottom line - ignore the updates for MSE signatures you see in WU and
let MSE update itself or open MSE and click on the update button. You
may, if desired take the updates offered in WU.
-steve