Running the same AV software in Windows 7 & in the Virtual PC

[Agrippa]

I have Windows 7 64-bit Professional and have downloaded the Virtual PC and installed the Windows XP mode.

In Windows 7 the AV is McAfee Security Center that came pre-installed by Dell with a 15 month licence. In the Windows XP Mode I have installed Microsoft Security Essentials.

The problem is that McAfee Security Center kills the Windows 7 search function. McAfee have now been aware of this problem for months but have still not sorted it. If they don't fix it soon I shall uninstall McAfee and install some other AV software.

My question is, if I install Microsoft Security Essentials on Windows 7 then, as I also have it installed on the Virtual PC, are there likely to be any clashes or problems?

 

[Lemur]

I have Windows 7 64-bit Professional and have downloaded the Virtual PC and installed the Windows XP mode.

In Windows 7 the AV is McAfee Security Center that came pre-installed by Dell with a 15 month licence. In the Windows XP Mode I have installed Microsoft Security Essentials.

The problem is that McAfee Security Center kills the Windows 7 search function. McAfee have now been aware of this problem for months but have still not sorted it. If they don't fix it soon I shall uninstall McAfee and install some other AV software.

My question is, if I install Microsoft Security Essentials on Windows 7 then, as I also have it installed on the Virtual PC, are there likely to be any clashes or problems?

I recommend you run MSE or, at the very least, don't run the full Security Center.

 

[eldinv]

NO~

That's exactly what I use. Virtual environment will not impact your host OS. Unless you get a virus in Virtual PC, then transfer files to your host.

Use the McAfee uninstaller to remove it, and install MSE on your host PC.
How to uninstall or reinstall supported McAfee consumer products using the McAfee Consumer Products Removal tool (MCPR.exe)

 

[Agrippa]

That was a quick response!

OK, the answer would seem to be for me to eventually go ahead with MSE.

As for the McAfee problem, here is the link to a lengthy thread on the topic; I'd describe it as semi-authoritative. From comments in the thread I'd say you need a complete removal of McAfee, not just disabling parts of it.

 

[eldinv]

Why wait, McAfee is horrible. The regular uninstall method was a major pain for me, but that was back in Vista. If you use that removal tool, restart as it says, you should be fine!

Good luck,

 

[DeaconFrost]

Yeah, there's little to no reason to ever consider running Mcafee, given it's high resource usage, and low detection rates...the exact opposite of what you'd want in an AV scanner. Mcafee software is like a virus, to be honest.

 

[Lemur]

We had a mcafee site license for the entire university. Never installed it on any of my computers.

 

[marsmimar]

From comments in the thread I'd say you need a complete removal of McAfee, not just disabling parts of it.

I would have to agree with you. Many other forums have tales where McAfee (as well as other security products) leave behind registry entries that conflict with new security products. So use the McAfee removal tool or in the alternative, Revo's free uninstaller.

 

[Lemur]

I always thought Norton was the worst for leaving junk in the registry, etc. Yuck...

 

[antharr]

I am usually use the open minded approach to security suggesting others to experiment with different software and make their own choice. I am going to take a different stance here. Mcafee has to be one of the most resource hungry and problem causing suites out there. I live by the rule that if it takes a removal tool to completely remove all components of an app off my system then I am not installing it.

 

[DeaconFrost]

That's why I've likened it to a virus. It puts hooks into the OS that can be very difficult to completely remove 100%...much like a virus.

 

[antharr]

That's why I've likened it to a virus. It puts hooks into the OS that can be very difficult to completely remove 100%...much like a virus.

I would agree. Trend Micro and previous versions of Norton had the same issues. I haven't played around with the latest versions of Norton so I don't know if it still an issue or not.