Cannot Get MSE Scheduled Scan to Run

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  1. Posts : 39
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit, Version 6.1, Build 7600
       #1

    Cannot Get MSE Scheduled Scan to Run


    I know this has been discussed before, but posts tend to be old and a definitive answer has eluded me.

    Despite extensive fiddling, I simply cannot get the otherwise excellent Microsoft Security Essentials to run a scheduled scan. I've tried changing the date and time, scanning daily, scanning weekly, making sure the computer is on at the relevant time, and set Task Controller to wake the computer when a scan is due (it being left on standby for most of the day).

    It's not a fatal problem because I get regular warnings that a scan has not been run for some time (sometimes even the day after the previous one!), and "Scan now" only takes a couple of minutes unnoticed.

    Any more ideas would be welcome.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 7
    Windows 7
       #2

    My computer is on 24/7 and I have set MSE to scan at 0100 each day with a full scan.

    This is does and the scan can be any time from 30 mins before to 30 mins after 0100. But it always scans.

    Perhaps with that time fram around your set scan time the computer is not on, mine switches off the monitor but nothing else and will every 30 mins through the night check for email.

    Just my thoughts.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 39
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit, Version 6.1, Build 7600
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Thanks for that. I was aware that the scan could start either side of the set time, and allowed for that when checking with the computer fully on. But still no scan.
      My Computer

  4.   My Computer


  5. Posts : 12,012
    Windows 7 Home Premium SP1, 64-bit
       #5

    Alan:

    Do you use CCleaner or a similar application to clean out certain files, possibly log files?
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 39
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit, Version 6.1, Build 7600
    Thread Starter
       #6

    Thanks for the responses guys. More twiddling (including adjusting CCleaner which was set to clear Windows log files) has got me no further. I made sure the computer was on for an hour each side of this mornings scheduled scan but zilch. (When I say "on" I mean asleep, or on standby as we used to say. I expected the Task Scheduler setting to wake it, but no.)

    I think I'll just leave the settings as they are. MSE is very keen to ask for a manual scan, and having its icon showing in the system tray provides a useful reminder.
      My Computer


  7. JMH
    Posts : 7,952
    Win 7 Ultimate 64-bit. SP1.
       #7

    AlanDyson said:
    Thanks for the responses guys. More twiddling (including adjusting CCleaner which was set to clear Windows log files) has got me no further.

    Current accepted wisdom with Win 7 is to NOT use a cleaner.

    If you ever think your Registry needs to be cleaned, repaired, boosted, tuned-up, cured, tweaked, fixed, or optimized it shouldn't.

    In other words, injudicious use of "Registry cleaners" CAN & DOES cause problems.

    IMO - there is no reliable way for a third party program to know whether any particular key is invalid, redundant or neither.
    Some registry cleaners may not know for sure whether a key is still being used by Windows or what detrimental effects removing it may have.
    This has led to examples of registry cleaners causing loss of functionality and/or system instability.

    FYI
    Do I need a Registry Cleaner? | What the Tech
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 2,303
    Windows 7 & Windows Vista Ultimate
       #8

    AlanDyson said:
    Thanks for the responses guys. More twiddling (including adjusting CCleaner which was set to clear Windows log files) has got me no further. I made sure the computer was on for an hour each side of this mornings scheduled scan but zilch. (When I say "on" I mean asleep, or on standby as we used to say. I expected the Task Scheduler setting to wake it, but no.)

    I think I'll just leave the settings as they are. MSE is very keen to ask for a manual scan, and having its icon showing in the system tray provides a useful reminder.
    Go to the Applications Tab of CCleaner and make sure that Windows Defender is UNchecked.

    Although CCleaner is not as aggressive as other programs, I agree with JMH that you should avoid the registry cleaning aspect of CCleaner. Stick with Cookies & Temp files. :)
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 39
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit, Version 6.1, Build 7600
    Thread Starter
       #9

    Thanks to JMH and Corrine for your interest.

    @JMH
    I didn't say that I used the Registry utility in CCleaner. But I do run it occasionally and thank you for your advice, which I will heed. (Actually, it removes hardly anything unless I have uninstalled a major program, McAfee AV being the only recent example.)

    @Corrine
    Windows Defender has never been checked. It's now been disabled by MSE.

    I've taken your advice also and unchecked everything except:

    IE: Temporary Internet Files; Cookies
    Chrome: Internet Cache; Cookies
    Multimedia: Adobe Flash Player
    (I have excluded a number of cookies which I need to keep.)

    I appreciate that this is off-topic, but I'd welcome your advice as to any other items that could usefully be included, particularly in Windows System.

    (None of this gets me any closer to solving the MSE scheduled scan problem, but I can live with it.)
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 2,303
    Windows 7 & Windows Vista Ultimate
       #10

    Hi, Alan.

    AlanDyson said:
    Despite extensive fiddling, I simply cannot get the otherwise excellent Microsoft Security Essentials to run a scheduled scan. I've tried changing the date and time, scanning daily, scanning weekly, making sure the computer is on at the relevant time, and set Task Controller to wake the computer when a scan is due (it being left on standby for most of the day).
    Let's start with Task Scheduler.

    Depending on the load on the servers, a scheduled scan can start an hour earlier or later than the time set. In order for the scan to run, the computer cannot be shutdown, in sleep mode, in hybrid sleep mode, or in hibernation.

    Thus, after Task Scheduler awakes the computer, it may be that by the time the definitions have updated and the scan is ready to begin, the computer has returned to sleep.

    It is also possible that Task Scheduler is not set to automatic. You can check this as follows:

    • Go to Start > Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Services
      Scroll down the list to Task Scheduler and make sure it is started and automatic.
    • If Task Scheduler is not set to automatic, make that change and restart it.
    • In the event Task Scheduler does not start, you will need to click on the dependencies tab and check/start each of the dependencies listed.

      Note: There may even be dependencies that will not start until another service they are dependent upon is started. Thus you may need to go through the complete list and to start them. When you get to the end, it will then be necessary to reverse course through the dependencies until you get back up to Task Scheduler and Start the ones you couldn't because of the dependencies.
    • If any changes were made, restart the computer and see if that helps.



    AlanDyson said:
    @Corrine
    Windows Defender has never been checked. It's now been disabled by MSE.
    Windows Defender, per se, is disabled by MSE because its engine is included with MSE.

    In order to check that MSE's scheduled scan is actually working on your computer, I suggest you do the following:

    • Launch MSE and select the Settings Tab
    • Change the time setting for "Around" to a time you will be at your computer and it will be on
    • Check scheduled scans and uncheck "Start the scheduled scan only when my PC is on but not in use".
    • Check "Limit CPU usage during scan to 50%
    • Save Changes

    Let us know how you make out.
      My Computer


 
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