MSE always saying I need to do a scan

[Ztruker]

I use Microsoft Security Essentials. I have it set to do a Quick scan every day at 3PM as my computer is almost always on then. I assume it's working but can't check as that information does not seem to be logged anywhere.

Every couple days the MSE icon in the taskbar turns orange indicating I have not done a scan in a while when it should have been done the previous day, certainly several times in the last week or so.

I've uninstalled and reinstalled MSE but it doesn't make any difference.

Anyone have any ideas on how to fix this. It's not a problem, just an annoyance.

 

[Sardonicus]

Are you using the latest version of it?
2.1.1.1116
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/products/security-essentials

 

[whs]

That may be because the system was not on at 3PM that day or the previous day. Just don't set it to scan at a set time.

 

[Infinite]

Have you tried running a full scan at least once?

 

[Bongo]

I do not know how to help your problem but it does show at the bottom the last time a scan was done.
Jerry

 

[ignatzatsonic]

I use Microsoft Security Essentials. I have it set to do a Quick scan every day at 3PM as my computer is almost always on then. I assume it's working but can't check as that information does not seem to be logged anywhere.

Every couple days the MSE icon in the taskbar turns orange indicating I have not done a scan in a while when it should have been done the previous day, certainly several times in the last week or so.

I've uninstalled and reinstalled MSE but it doesn't make any difference.

Anyone have any ideas on how to fix this. It's not a problem, just an annoyance.

I have the same issue

I have set auto scans to Wednesday at 3 pm. My PC is nearly always on at that hour.

Periodically, my icon will go orange and I am forced to scan manually.

This did NOT occur on the earliest versions of MSE.

I am using 2.1.1116.0.

I just live with it and do manual scans when forced to.

 

[logicearth]

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

 

[ignatzatsonic]

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

I do occasionally use CCleaner--I'll investigate to see if there is any correlation.

 

[Sardonicus]

The only other thing I can think of is to place a check in the box of......Check for the latest virus and spyware definitions before running a scheduled scan.

I too think it's a quirk, that occurs from time to time.

 

[Infinite]

You could also try reinstalling MSE.

 

[jekeesl]

See this post for possible solutions. MSE tray icon orange colored every morning telling me I need to scan, - Microsoft Answers

 

[ignatzatsonic]

I just checked my CCleaner settings. Under applications/Windows, "MS Anti Malware" is NOT checked.

So I assume any MSE logs are not altered or deleted.

I'll continue to monitor this.

 

[Golden]

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]

Try this tool:
Windows Installer CleanUp

It fixed a problem for me in the past.

Select Microsoft Security Client and click Remove then Clear All.

 

[Ztruker]

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]

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

 

[Anak]

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. http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/394-hidden-files-folders-show-hide.html, 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.

 

[Jacee]

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

 

[Ztruker]

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.

 

[johnkat38]

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.