Microsoft Security Essentials

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    Microsoft Security Essentials

    Microsoft Security Essentials

    How to Install and Use Microsoft Security Essentials
    Published by
    Designer Media Ltd


    Introduction

       Information
    Microsoft created Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) to address a very simple problem: Too many PCs today are unprotected with either out-of-date anti-malware products or no anti-malware product at all.

    Microsoft says there are a number of reasons for this:
    1. First, because many new PCs come with only a 30/60/90 day trial security solutions, some users believe they're protected even though the initial subscription period may have ended.
    2. Some don't even activate the free, bundled solutions at all.
    3. Some--especially those in emerging markets--can't or won't pay for security suites, most of which need to be renewed every year.
    This tutorial will show you how to download, install, and configure this new free anti-malware option from Microsoft - Security Essentials
       Note

    The release of the Microsoft Safety Scanner has resulted in confusion about the available anti-malware tools provided by Microsoft and questions about when they should be used.

    Read more at: Understanding Microsoft Anti-Malware Software ~ Security Garden

    If you wanted to manually download and install new definition updates for MSE, instead of updating them from within MSE, then see:

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


    There's been a lot of interest in Microsoft Security Essentials and I think it will prove quite a hit with users. It's free, effective, lightweight, and quiet and is, in other words, exactly what I'm looking for in a security solution. And it comes with no strings at all. As long as you're running a genuine Windows version, you can install this product without worrying about up-sell advertisements, yearly renewals, or other silliness. And you can do so on as many Windows-based PCs as you own. I'd like to see it just included with Windows, but what the heck: Free and easy is the next best thing. Microsoft Security Essentials is highly recommended, to all Windows users.
    --Paul Thurrott
    September 29, 2009


    Installation

    First visit Microsoft's site devoted to all Security Essentials related material: http://www.microsoft.com/Security_Essentials/
    That link may fizzle out over time, as MS likes to meddle with their websites often, if it dies... you can always google security essentials!

    Once you arrive at the MS Security Essentials webpage, look for the "Download" button, and click it to start the download. See below:
    Microsoft Security Essentials-ms_security_essentials_dl.jpg
    Once your download starts you will be presented with the infamous; "what do you want to do with me now" dialog box. You can Run, Save, or Cancel. For the purpose of this tutorial, I'm hitting the easy button and going with RUN. See below:
    Microsoft Security Essentials-ms_security_essentials_1.jpg
       Information
    On my PC's I always choose SAVE first, and save to the built in downloads directory before I RUN and install any app. That way, I have an easy backup of any additional apps that I've ever been installed. Then if needed I don't have to search all over the Internet to reinstall them!
    Now you will see the first of several install screens, as always click Next to continue.
    Microsoft Security Essentials-ms_security_essentials_2.jpg
    Don't forget the 500 word legal mumbojumbo we never read... click Next to continue.
    Microsoft Security Essentials-ms_security_essentials_3.jpg
       Warning

    Part of the installation involves MS validating your copy of Win7 as Genuine, so if you have a hacked, cracked, or jacked copy... sorry no free anti-malware for you!


    This is the part of the install where your Win7 install will be validated, choose Validate to continue.
    Microsoft Security Essentials-ms_security_essentials_4.jpg
    This portion of the installation is where you are warned that other anti-malware may interfere with the operation of MSE. Click Install to continue...
    Microsoft Security Essentials-ms_security_essentials_5.jpg
    That's it... well almost! Once you click Finish, MSE will automatically connect to the MSE server and download the latest definitions...
       Note
    If you leave the check mark in the box marked Scan my computer for... MSE will also run a Scan when it completes the definition updates

    Microsoft Security Essentials-ms_security_essentials_6.jpg
       Warning
    It is always advised that you run a scan after installing any anti-malware!


    Below is a screenshot of the Update Install process:
    Microsoft Security Essentials-ms_security_essentials_7.jpg
    And the automatic scan after update completed:
    Microsoft Security Essentials-ms_security_essentials_8.jpg
    Scan nearly complete after 8 minutes below:
    Microsoft Security Essentials-ms_security_essentials_9.jpg
    Scan complete:
    Microsoft Security Essentials-ms_security_essentials_10.jpg
    Your New MSE Interface

    As we saw in the image above, when you are on the Home page of MSE, you have the option of scanning the PC in either Quick, Full, or Custom modes.

    Naturally, the Update tab contains all the tools you need to keep your anti-malware definitions up to date.
    Microsoft Security Essentials-ms_security_essentials_11.jpg
    The History tab will show you any detected and/or potentially harmful items, and the action taken on each item. It will also give you the name, alert level, and date.
    Microsoft Security Essentials-ms_security_essentials_12.jpg
    The Settings tab is where you can change the way MSE works for you. You can schedule scans, change defaults, or turn real-time protection on or off. You can also exclude locations, types, and processes, etc. We will discuss the various changes you can make in the Configuration section below:
    Microsoft Security Essentials-ms_security_essentials_13.jpg
    Configuration

    The following section outlines the various configuration pages available in MSE, and what settings those contain.
       Note
    For most users, the default settings for MSE are recommended!


    On the image above you see the first page of many MSE configuration pages. It contains all the settings you need to change anything scan related... these screenshots depict MSE in it's outta the box or default mode.

    Below you see the Default Actions settings page where you can change what MSE does when it detects a possible malware.

    Microsoft Security Essentials-ms_security_essentials_13a.jpg

    Here we see the Real-time protection settings... it;s on by default for a reason!

    Microsoft Security Essentials-ms_security_essentials_13b.jpg

    If you wish to exclude certain files or locations you can do so here:
       Warning
    You are advised that while this may speed up scans it may leave your PC less protected.



    Microsoft Security Essentials-ms_security_essentials_13c.jpg

    Similar to the above settings this section below allows you to exclude certain file types from a scan.

    Microsoft Security Essentials-ms_security_essentials_13d.jpg

    And this page lets you exclude processes such as: .cmd, .bat, .pif, .scf, .exe, and .scr

    Microsoft Security Essentials-ms_security_essentials_13e.jpg

    The Advanced section allows you to scan archive files like .zip and .cab files, scan removable drives, create restore points automatically, and give you access to the History.

    Microsoft Security Essentials-ms_security_essentials_13f.jpg

    SpyNet is Microsofts online community that helps you choose how to respond to potential threats and helps prevent the spread of new malicious software. The last page allows you to choose your level of participation in this community.


    Microsoft Security Essentials-ms_security_essentials_13g.jpg

    Oh yes, when you have installed MSE it places an icon on your desktop and an icon in the notification area as shown below. You can access any of the configuration pages by double clicking on either icon.


    Microsoft Security Essentials-ms_security_essentials_14.jpg









  1. Posts : 8,476
    Windows® 8 Pro (64-bit)
       #1

    Attachments not working dude.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 1,939
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit Steve Ballmer Signature Edition
    Thread Starter
       #2

    Dinesh said:
    Attachments not working dude.
    They all disappeared in middle of working with this... still a work in progress!
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 8,476
    Windows® 8 Pro (64-bit)
       #3

    Now its working. Nice tutorial. +rep.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 5,807
    Windows 7 Home Premium x64 - Mac OS X 10.6.4 x64
       #4

    Nice tutorial and well done...
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 10
    Windows 7
       #5

    thanks for the tutorial, been using it for the pass two months and its pretty damn good.

    One question though, is there any way to make it so it auto updates its definitions?
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 71,959
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
       #6

    Hello Mortred,

    You can set Windows Update to install updates automatically with steps 1 and 8 in the tutorial below. This will allow Windows Update to automatically download and install MSE updates as well.

    Windows Update Settings - Change

    Hope this helps,
    Shawn
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 1,939
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit Steve Ballmer Signature Edition
    Thread Starter
       #7

    Mortred said:
    thanks for the tutorial, been using it for the pass two months and its pretty damn good.

    One question though, is there any way to make it so it auto updates its definitions?
    Yes, MSE can be set to update the malware definitions automatically and that's the default setting... I will finish the confiuration portion of the tutorial this evening!

    Microsoft Security Essentials-ms_security_essentials_13.jpg

    AS you can see in the above image, if you have your MSE set at the default perform a scan automatically, it will first update definitions before doing so.
    Last edited by Darryl Licht; 16 Nov 2009 at 21:14.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 3
    Windows 7 64 bit
       #8

    wont work on 64 bit
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 18,404
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1
       #9

    It works on 64 bit. Pick the appropriate one from the download link.

    Microsoft Security Essentials-capturej.jpg
      My Computer


 
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