Microsoft Security Essentials update question

[gogreen]

If left to its own devices, when does MSE update? I started using MSE recently, and so far, I find myself updating manually. I've installed MSE on a laptop, too, and after 2 days, I updated manually. I didn't find a setting for updating. Did I miss something? And I have Windows Update set to update automatically. Thanks.

 

[Brink]

Hello Arthur,

MSE updates are handled through Windows Update, so it should check for updates for when you have Windows Update set to.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[gogreen]

Hi Shawn. I have Windows Update set to update automatically every morning. It might do that, but apparently not for MSE. I'll have to watch it closely over the next day or so to confirm.

If my computer is off at the update time, what does Windows Update do?

Thanks.

 

[rap33042]

GoGreen:

There is a setting (in the Settings Tab) - a check box that causes it to check for the latest definitions before running a scheduled scan.

To be honest, I have this checked, but if I do a Windows Update after it has run Windows still seems to find updated def files for MSE.

Don't know more than that and it's confusing,
rap

 

[Brink]

Gogreen,

If the computer is off during the time you set for Windows Update to check for updates, then it will check for and/or install updates at the next scheduled installation time instead.

It could also be when with what Richard pointed out above.

 

[gogreen]

MSE reported just now that the last update was yesterday at 3:50-something p.m. I ran Windows Update and got the "Windows is up to date" screen. I went back in to MSE and manually updated, which showed a new update at 11:14 p.m. yesterday.

So why didn't Windows Update catch this? And is Windows Update supposed to update MSE?

Thanks.

 

[ken9122]

Actually there updates available a couple times a day. The eazy way is to have MSE do a quick scan daily and have it check for updates then.

Ken

 

[gogreen]

Actually there updates available a couple times a day. The eazy way is to have MSE do a quick scan daily and have it check for updates then.

Ken

Yes, but I'm trying to avoid unnecessary scans. A daily scan seems unnecessary to me. No?

 

[Bill2]

Just create a task in the task scheduler for MSE update. Heres how.

Microsoft Security Essentials Automatic Virus Signature Updates

 

[ken9122]

Actually there updates available a couple times a day. The easy way is to have MSE do a quick scan daily and have it check for updates then.

Ken

Yes, but I'm trying to avoid unnecessary scans. A daily scan seems unnecessary to me. No?

You can set ot to scan once a week which would fine for the average user.

 

[gogreen]

Just create a task in the task scheduler for MSE update. Heres how.

Microsoft Security Essentials Automatic Virus Signature Updates

Thanks, Bill2 and ken9122! Well, it took some fancy fiddling, but I successfully set it up as a task in task scheduler. I'll see how it goes.

 

[gogreen]

As an alternative, I also created the attached batch file and plunked it on my desktop so I could quickly update MSE on demand. Same command specified in task scheduler.

 

[xxxdannyxxx]

Another alternative is to change the signature updates registry key. HKLM/Software/Microsoft/Microsoft Antimalware/Signature Updates.I changed mine from the preset 24 hours to every 6 hours.Now i get updated 3 time a day and know my system is protected with no need for daily scanning to update.You have to change the permissions to alter it then just give the permissions back to the system when done.Use a Decimal value data of 6 for 6 hourly updating.

 

[gogreen]

Another alternative is to change the signature updates registry key. HKLM/Software/Microsoft/Microsoft Antimalware/Signature Updates.I changed mine from the preset 24 hours to every 6 hours.Now i get updated 3 time a day and know my system is protected with no need for daily scanning to update.You have to change the permissions to alter it then just give the permissions back to the system when done.Use a Decimal value data of 6 for 6 hourly updating.

OK, good suggestion. Thanks. So what do I need to change in the attached screenshot to cause MSE to check for updates every 6 hours? I just change the decimal value data from 18 (as shown) to 6?

 

[xxxdannyxxx]

Yes the default value is 18 hexidecimal.Change this to decimal and put 6.This will then update every 6 hours.
Hope this helps
danny

 

[gogreen]

OK. Thanks.

 

[Lunarpancake]

edit* misread question.

 

[gogreen]

Tried it, but I'm getting the attached error. What am I doing wrong?

 

[xxxdannyxxx]

You need to take ownership of the registry key.Click on signature updates on the left hand side and then edit and permissions in the toolbar.Give yourself full control over the key.Then click advanced/owner click on your admin acc and press apply.This gives you ownership of the key.Press ok and ok again and you should be able to change it now.Then repeat the process undoing what you changed giving the process back to the system.
Hope this helps.

 

[gogreen]

Did it. Thanks for the walk-through. I'll check it later to see if it's updating every six hours. Thanks!