Changing from MSE To Avast

trendy · 19 Jan 2014

Hi,I decided to install Avast antivirus running MSE at the moment.This where all the problems started,Went to uninstall the mse then did a reboot then went on to install the avast went all well but when it came to the end of the installation of avast could not open it as a box came up on screen with an error message.

So went on to google and found a link in microsoft that there was an uninstaller for mse so went all through the procedure again and still had the error message.

Have tried three times with this and between all the install methods I also run CCleaner.
But with no luck and totally failed to install avast.

Any help here Please.
Running windows 7 home premium 64bit.

Error Box.

Lady Fitzgerald · 19 Jan 2014

Are you running ZoneAlarm?

trendy · 19 Jan 2014

(No) Thanks for reply

trendy · 20 Jan 2014

Any Body Please.
Thanks in advance.

DavidE · 20 Jan 2014

Hi trendy,

Do you have a System Restore Point, or better yet a System Backup Image from before you started these changes?
That might be your easiest/safest way to start fixing this.

If I understand this correctly it sounds like you might now have MSE partially installed and Avast partially installed.
Here is an MS article about your error that says it might be caused by "conflicting security software".
I keep getting this error Microsoft Security Client error code - Microsoft Community

Can you post the link to where you downloaded the "uninstaller for mse" from?
And, you didn't run the Avast uninstaller after the failed install, right?

There is an Avast uninstall utility and you may need to run that if you can't restore to a time before these changes.

trendy · 20 Jan 2014

David.Thanks for the reply.
I got the MSE uinstaller from here...............

Microsoft Security Essentials Removal Tool Download

And got the Avast download from here.........

AVAST 2014 | Download Free Antivirus Software for Virus Protection

I would be very glad of your help if I can solve this problem.
Many thanks for your reply most grateful.

DavidE · 20 Jan 2014

OK,

You can try using the Avast uninstall utility (avastclear.exe) from here:
http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=142936.0

Cleaning Avast is a subject I'm not the best person to ask for help from.
I've read too many Avast threads and problems about cleaning Avast.
I'll see if I can find Avast threads about this.

Anyway, I would try cleaning Avast, and go from there.
See if you get the same error for "Microsoft Security Client" after running the Avast uninstall utility.

DavidE · 20 Jan 2014

I'm assuming you don't have any backup as you didn't answer that question.

trendy · 20 Jan 2014

Hi,Thanks for getting back to me,Yes I do have a backup.
I have just had another try ran the avast cleaner and also ran the MSE cleaner ran ccleaner installed avast and had same problem after reboot.

I give up might as well stick to the MSE or maybe try another antivirus.
Many thanks.

DavidE · 20 Jan 2014

There are some MSE cleanup instructions on the web but they do get into registry editing.
Not sure if you want to go there ...

I'm using and have used Avast for years ...
I use to recommend it, but not anymore ...
It's gotten too complicated, bloated, problematic imho.

On a Win XP SP3 system I just uninstalled MSE so I could test other A/V's.
I tried Bitdefnder free and didn't care for it, so I uninstalled it.
I installed Avira free and I'm really liking it.
I'm looking for something better than MSE for people I help that may stay with XP no matter what I say ...
And, maybe a better AV product for my own systems ...

fwiw, my home PCs currently are:
2 Systems - MSE v4 (latest)
1 System - Avast free v9
1 System - Avast free v8
1 System - Avira free latest version

I also run MBAM Pro on all systems.

If you can't sleep and want opionins, read here:
https://www.sevenforums.com/system-se...nti-virus.html