Microsoft Security Essentials vs. Kaspersky, Avast, BitDefender, Avira

brianzion · 23 Aug 2010

toxicbob said:

Running nod32 it would update between 1 to 4 times a day.

about the same for kis i used to use and about the same for microsoft

marsmimar · 23 Aug 2010

Concerning automatic updates, there seems to be a bit of lag time from when the newest update is released by the Microsoft Malware Protection Center and when it actually gets installed on a machine. I can't speak for everybody else but my MSE updates are delivered via the usual Windows Update as an optional update. If you have your WU set to "Install updates automatically (recommended)" you'll definitely get them but probably a few hours after the actual release time depending on servers, internet traffic, etc.

In the beginning MSE 1.0 updates seemed to come out twice a day during the week and once a day on weekends and holidays. MSE 2.0 appears to offer updates more frequently. If you think your computer has fallen behind, you can always get the latest definition directly from MMPC:

Install the latest Microsoft Security Essentials definition updates - Get the latest definitions - Microsoft Malware Protection Center

brianzion · 23 Aug 2010

marsmimar said:

Concerning automatic updates, there seems to be a bit of lag time from when the newest update is released by the Microsoft Malware Protection Center and when it actually gets installed on a machine. I can't speak for everybody else but my MSE updates are delivered via the usual Windows Update as an optional update. If you have your WU set to "Install updates automatically (recommended)" you'll definitely get them but probably a few hours after the actual release time depending on servers, internet traffic, etc.

In the beginning MSE 1.0 updates seemed to come out twice a day during the week and once a day on weekends and holidays. MSE 2.0 appears to offer updates more frequently. If you think your computer has fallen behind, you can always get the latest definition directly from MMPC:

Install the latest Microsoft Security Essentials definition updates - Get the latest definitions - Microsoft Malware Protection Center

great info thanks

toxicbob · 23 Aug 2010

marsmimar said:

Concerning automatic updates, there seems to be a bit of lag time from when the newest update is released by the Microsoft Malware Protection Center and when it actually gets installed on a machine. I can't speak for everybody else but my MSE updates are delivered via the usual Windows Update as an optional update. If you have your WU set to "Install updates automatically (recommended)" you'll definitely get them but probably a few hours after the actual release time depending on servers, internet traffic, etc.

Install the latest Microsoft Security Essentials definition updates - Get the latest definitions - Microsoft Malware Protection Center

That is what I seemed to of encountered.

Klaw117 · 23 Aug 2010

toxicbob said:

marsmimar said:

Concerning automatic updates, there seems to be a bit of lag time from when the newest update is released by the Microsoft Malware Protection Center and when it actually gets installed on a machine. I can't speak for everybody else but my MSE updates are delivered via the usual Windows Update as an optional update. If you have your WU set to "Install updates automatically (recommended)" you'll definitely get them but probably a few hours after the actual release time depending on servers, internet traffic, etc.

Install the latest Microsoft Security Essentials definition updates - Get the latest definitions - Microsoft Malware Protection Center

That is what I seemed to of encountered.

Just set Windows Update to update every day at a certain time and it will do it for you.

thefabe · 23 Aug 2010

Thanks for posting. Fabe

CarlTR6 · 23 Aug 2010

I do not want automatic Windows Update on my system. Thus I update manually.

Alphamale · 23 Aug 2010

Hi guys nice articles and post. I have a question about the settings on this software. Should i check to create a system restore point?

BomberAF · 23 Aug 2010

I think the thing that MSE lacks which you get with a paid for AV is a spam filter for outlook, and you also lose some other features that a paid for AV offer. I do think the reason for this is because if they gave you an AV with full funcionailty then it would probably be anti competative, so I do think there is still good reasopn to buy an AV subscription.

toughbook · 23 Aug 2010

I have been using MSE since it was 1st introduced. The only thing that concerns me is that I have never seen one item in any of the Threat windows. Anybody else experience that?