Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer (MBSA) for 64 bit W7

[Stevekir]

When downloading MBSA from Microsoft's site I get "This setup cannot be installed on a x64 system: try installing a setup that supports x64 bit systems.)

I cannot find such a setup. A really helpful message!

So, how can I download MBSA for my x64 bit W7 machine?

Thanks.

 

[Callender]

Did you download the 32bit version by mistake? What's the file name? It should be:

MBSASetup-x64-EN.msi

not

MBSASetup-x86-EN.msi

Edit:

Here's an alternate download link from Softpedia:

Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer Download - Softpedia

 

[Stevekir]

Thanks. I managed to download the 64 bit version you quoted but its file list (in W. Explorer) has "Newversion", a Word file. This gives a clickable download address for an updated version, but when I run that I get:

" The address is not valid" with advice on how to retype it (!) or go back a page. Elsewhere Microsoft state that it is important to run the latest version. So I am stuck.

 

[Callender]

MBSA Download and Install

Well there must be something wrong with you machine. Perhaps some malware or file association issues. Try another browser for a start and see if the file saves with the .msi file extension. If it does - check your file associations for .msi files and check that they're not set to open with MS Word.



From testing on my machine:

Download


Saved to desktop


File safety check


Installation


Complete

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Why do you need it ?
What security suite do you have installed ?

 

[Stevekir]

Thanks. I checked the file association for .msi and as shown in your clip it is associated with Windowsinstaller. I can download the .msi OK as offered in the Microsoft site, and I get in Programs the usual list of individual sub-files. I open the sub-file newversion and get a download address but when I click on it I get "Address not valid". (Attached clip).

Odd!

 

[Stevekir]

Hi,
Why do you need it ?
What security suite do you have installed ?

My Visual Quickstart Guide mentioned it for scanning for security holes. Having come to Windows from the Mac I am more cautious about malware etc. and thought it would be a good and harmless thing to survey my machine.

I have Window's firewall on and AVG anti-virus installed.

Do you think MBSA is unnecessary even in the more risky world of Windows?

EDIT: I tried Firefox as well for the faulty download but no go.

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Well taking security advice from M$ wouldn't be my first choice but I'm sure the tool is worth using if your curious
AVG also wouldn't be my first choice for an antivirus it has been known to block windows features/ updates... as the one your having now downloading

Avast or Panda would be better,

You could use MSE = Microsoft security essentials = IF your willing to put money where real threats come from = Malware
And to block it you need Malwarebytes Premium = not free but very cheap
https://www.malwarebytes.org/

MSE is free I use the above combination it's very windows friendly,
Microsoft Security Essentials - Microsoft Windows

But first you need to get rid of avg properly with their uninstaller
https://support.avg.com/SupportArticleView?l=en_US&urlname=How-to-uninstall-AVG

 

[Stevekir]

Hi,
Well taking security advice from M$ wouldn't be my first choice but I'm sure the tool is worth using if your curious
AVG also wouldn't be my first choice for an antivirus it has been known to block windows features/ updates... as the one your having now downloading

Avast or Panda would be better,

You could use MSE = Microsoft security essentials = IF your willing to put money where real threats come from = Malware
And to block it you need Malwarebytes Premium = not free but very cheap
https://www.malwarebytes.org/

MSE is free I use the above combination it's very windows friendly,
Microsoft Security Essentials - Microsoft Windows

But first you need to get rid of avg properly with their uninstaller
https://support.avg.com/SupportArticleView?l=en_US&urlname=How-to-uninstall-AVG

Thanks. I will investigate.

On AVAST, can you confirm that it routinely checks for new malware and then updates AVAST automatically? Neither their site nor CNet mention it. It seems an essential feature of any anti-virus program.

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
I don't use Avast but a lot of people here do and any antivirus would self update definitions otherwise they wouldn't have much of a product

I would however look into F-Secure first or Panda
Some have said the adds and popups in Avast are very annoying in the free version
Some really trusted users here like F-Secure best
But they also use Malwarebytes Premium too it is where most threats are as you even stated Malware
Antivirus programs try to block malware but don't depend on that
They specialize in viruses/ Trojans ...

 

[Callender]

Thanks. I checked the file association for .msi and as shown in your clip it is associated with Windowsinstaller. I can download the .msi OK as offered in the Microsoft site, and I get in Programs the usual list of individual sub-files. I open the sub-file newversion and get a download address but when I click on it I get "Address not valid". (Attached clip).

Odd!

I get that as well. I'm not sure why you want to open that file. The link points back to the same file:

file:///C:/Program%20Files/Microsoft%20Baseline%20Security%20Analyzer%202/newversion.html

I guess that somehow that link in the document only gets updated when a new version is available.


Additional info:

https://billmullins.wordpress.com/2...h-microsofts-free-baseline-security-analyzer/

 

[Stevekir]

Hi,
I don't use Avast but a lot of people here do and any antivirus would self update definitions otherwise they wouldn't have much of a product

I would however look into F-Secure first or Panda
Some have said the adds and popups in Avast are very annoying in the free version
Some really trusted users here like F-Secure best
But they also use Malwarebytes Premium too it is where most threats are as you even stated Malware
Antivirus programs try to block malware but don't depend on that
They specialize in viruses/ Trojans ...

F-Secure offer two products: F-Secure Anti-Virus; and F-Secure Internet Security 2015. The second is more expensive but I can't get a clear idea what the difference is. I am a solo desktop user, no network nor smart devices(!)

Do you know what the dif. is?

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
I requested a user of it to join us here
Please stand by
I assumed it has a free version too but I've never used it I just read it was good and I trust this user
I do know Panda has a free version,
Cheers.

 

[Boozad]

As far as I'm aware F-Secure Internet Security offers services such as Banking Protection, online security, phishing blocking, harmful website blocking etc. I think all of this is on top of the AV. Personally I use F-Secure SAFE and would highly recommend it. It offers a single device package which is ideal for you. It works well in 7, 8 and 10, I've tested it in all three on different hardware configurations.

They have an offer on for a single device at the moment for £23.99 per year. It's a shame this wasn't posted a couple of months back as I had a promo code from them which I could have forwarded to you. It's expired though now unfortunately.

 

[Stevekir]

Many thanks folks. I will go ahead with one of their products after some more thought.

 

[Boozad]

You won't be disappointed mate, it's the best AV suite I've used personally.

 

[carwiz]

MBSA is a system analyzer tool and is excellent for new users as well as old. It ranks right up there with SFC as a useful utility to run on occasion. It is NOT a malware detector or scanner. How this thread drifted off to AV software shows a misunderstanding of what MBSA does or the information it provides. It's used to inform you of possible security "leaks" in your system settings as well as many more areas including update status. Below is a portion of my run of version 2.2 a couple of years ago. (The only image I saved.)

 

[ThrashZone]

Yea the thread drifted a bit because he couldn't download it
I figured it was avg blocking the active x in the download so I was attempting to get avg out of the picture
Plus I was mildly curious why he needed it there was no mention of what security was in place in the first few replies or system spec's

If money is an issue I believe mbam premium is a better place to spend
MSE or Panda is good for a free a-v.
Just not avg imho.

 

[Stevekir]

Yea the thread drifted a bit because he couldn't download it
I figured it was avg blocking the active x in the download so I was attempting to get avg out of the picture
Plus I was mildly curious why he needed it there was no mention of what security was in place in the first few replies or system spec's

If money is an issue I believe mbam premium is a better place to spend
MSE or Panda is good for a free a-v.
Just not avg imho.

I wanted to know what MBSA was. Thanks for the info. I will run it when Microsoft, having warned not to use the old version, wake up and repair the link for the new one.

My system specs are in the left bottom corner of the posts.

 

[ThrashZone]

Still believe avg is not going to be a friendly experience for you or windows