MSE always saying I need to do a scan

logicearth said:

Are you using CCleaner? Or some other cleaning program?
The problem could be as simple as cleaning the log files MSE uses.

+1. We had a few threads here last year about this. If I recall correctly, some default setting on CCleaner cleans out the log files causing MSE to think that no scans have been undertaken. The solution was to untick one of these options....unfortunately I don't recall the exact one, but a quick search should find the thread.

Infinite, see my initial post, I already did that.

Security Essentials Version: 2.1.1116.0

Right now it's orange and saying I need to do a scan. Last scan: 1/27/12 at 3:27 PM (Quick Scan)

Where is/are MSE log files? I run CCleaner every night before I shutdown and maybe it is clearing the log, but MSE does know it ran yesterday but it's still saying I need to run it again.

I have not done a full scan in a long time. I'll give that a try and see what happens.

Thanks all.

Infinite said:

The location to the logs can be found here:
C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Microsoft Antimalware\Support

If I may expand on Infinite's post.

If you do not have Hidden Files, and Folders set to show you need to do that first. Hidden Files and Folders - Show or Hide, you only need to use option one, and go to step 2.

Then you can find C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Microsoft Antimalware\Support
Don't forget to reset the hidden feature when done.


siramic's post here: How can you check the details of your last virus scan? - Microsoft Answers fifth one down, explains how it can also be found in Event Viewer, but it is not as detailed.

Have you done this? ... in the Settings tab, choose Scheduled scan in the left pane and uncheck the box "Start the scheduled scan only when my computer is on but not in use."

Also, see this Microsoft Security Essentials forgets it recently scanned | Windows Secrets Lounge

Ji Hacee. Yes, I have "Start the scheduled scan only when my computer is on but not in use" unchecked.

Thanks for the link. I just unchecked MS Antimalware and MS Management Console in CCleaner Applictions tab. Will see if that helps, sounds like a real possibility.

I have seen this problem happen time and time again in Windows 7. The only fix I have found is to uninstall and reinstall Microsoft Security Essentiais.