Back to Avast...? MSE issues

[Stimson]

I recently UN-installed Avast, suspecting it may have been causing problems.

I then installed MSE, its being recommended as a lighter-weight and (presumably) less intrusive AV program.

I'm now having second-thoughts about MSE and would appreciate opinions. I am intending to pair an AV program with MBAM Premium.

What I don't like about MSE:
1) It changes settings without permission -- like reconfiguring Windows Updates back to Automatic (not wanted).
2) Its own automatic updates CAN'T be disabled -- at least in any convenient way.
3) It seems to engage in frequent unknown internet chatter.
4) I'm now getting slower starts than ever, plus new errors (such as: "Microsoft Security Client OOBE" stopped due to the following error: 0xC000000D).

I would like an AV program that will not cause more problems than it cures. And one that will not call home unless I ask it to, i.e., no clouds. Impossible?

Would love to hear of anything that's worked (or not!). Thanks for any advice.

(And I've been reading that it can be difficult to fully rid one's system of MSE!)

 

[fireberd]

My own experience is the opposite. I've been using MSE on Win7 ever since I installed it (and used MSE before when it was called something different). MSE is called Windows Defender in Windows 8/8.1 and I also use it there.

I have a recording studio and the recording studio software company recommends against some Anti-Virus programs because of their setup with the OS and Avast is one that they do not recommend. I have less than 100usec DPC latency which is very good.

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
I've never had any issues with windows updates getting reset :/

Most issues are usually fragments left behind from not being uninstalled fully and a corrupt user account.
MSE certainly isn't everyone's cup of tea but your issues seems misplaced.

Create a new admin account change the original to standard and test the issue,
Mse would be better with mbam premium for sure used that combo for years without issue

But to each his/ her own on what you end up using.

Each third party security has a dedicated special uninstaller and sometime those don't work to fully remove fragments.

 

[Stimson]

fireberd, thank you. That's some useful information.

Thrashzone, Thank you. The issue with changing Windows Update setting was only on initial MSE installation. Once I discovered the change and set it back to "never check for updates" it has seemed to stay put.

I've never had any specific warning of a corrupt user account, but will read up. Maybe has something to do with problems that began this whole process.

 

[ThrashZone]

Never check for updates ?
Why would you use such a setting and use a antivirus that updates through the windows update system :/

I use Let me choose whether to download and install but that is quite different than Never check for updates
Create a new administrator account,
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/Windows7/Create-a-user-account
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/181024-user-account-create.html
If the issue does not occur in new user account then refer the following link to fix the corrupted user account.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/103538-user-account-type-change.html
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Fix-a-corrupted-user-profile

 

[Stimson]

It's not that I don't update -- either Windows or whatever AV app I'm using -- I am regular about manual updates (err...usually :sarc: ). I just prefer to choose when it gets done... like, preferably, while I'm eating lunch or otherwise not using the computer. (Another interesting thing about MSE: I can't even go away and leave it to complete a scan. It lets the computer go to sleep then resumes whenever I log back on -- unlike Avast or MBAM which will delay sleep mode to finish up the task.) And the "never check for updates" option still lets me choose which updates to download -- just whenever I manually check.

I guess I didn't understand that MSE shares the Windows update system; nor what that might imply about their independant functionality. Live and learn.

Thanks for the links on creating new adminitrator account, etc., great information.

 

[Jesse Williams]

I've been using MSE on my Windows 7 Laptops as well as Windows Defender on my Windows 8.1 desktop. MSE detected 1 unknown threat on both Windows 7 computers. After the scan was complete, it asked me to clean the PC. So, I did. No threats were detected on the Windows 8.1 desktop. I also use MBAM and SAS.

 

[ThrashZone]

I guess I didn't understand that MSE shares the Windows update system; nor what that might imply about their independant functionality. Live and learn.

Thanks for the links on creating new adminitrator account, etc., great information.

No problem,
You can make a new task "Task manager" to do the updating of MSE for you and not worry about being updated
I can't for the life of me remember how to do that part unfortunately

This might solve your sleeping when scanning issue though :/
Running MSE full scan as a scheduled task - Microsoft Community

 

[DavidE]

I've setup scheduled tasks to update MSE (and Windows Defender) automatically and silently.
This is the best article I found that explains it, with screen prints:
How To Fix Microsoft Security Essentials Virus Definitions Updates

I mostly use other AV's now, so it's been a while since I've used this.
If there are any issues or questions, let me know and I'll see if any tweaks are needed ...

hth

 

[ThrashZone]

The task updater seems to work well still
Appreciate you posting it again David
Cheers.

 

[jonnyhillow]

Imo and from my experience on this site there is no question in my mind that Seven forums recommends MSE more than any other anti virus by far .

Years ago when i thought i maybe having issues i was ALWAYS told to scrap the AV i had and install MSE which was annoying because after doing so the issues i was having was proven to not have anything to do with the AV .

The people that would do that i don't see at Seven forums anymore , the current group are excellent helpers.

Nothing wrong with MSE at all but if your a high risk user i would choose another security option , just my opinion of course , if your a knowledgeable surfer then MSE and something like Mbam is plenty.

 

[ThrashZone]

Just to be clear,
MSE would be best if used with mbam Premium
If mbam Premium wasn't there I doubt MSE would be used for myself anyway

After Panda's computer bricking update "which was my second choice" I have to reevaluate my 2nd recommend