MSE alternative update idea

[RolandJS]

MSE alternative update idea

"...Microsoft Security Essentials...virus definitions won't update..."
I had, off/on, for years, this problem, here's what I finally, recently, did:

Created a MSE DNLD shortcut to:
"C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe" "http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=87341"
Addendum: BC Quietman7's followup post is spot-on! Mine is W7Pro 64bit; go here for the 32-bit: https://www.microsoft.com/security/portal/definitions/adl.aspx

Created a MSE RUN shortcut to: [to whatever directory you downloaded]\mpam-feX64.exe

Twice weekly, I do MSE DNLD first, then MSE RUN. No more update hangups. Once the biggie EXE downloads, it silently updates MSE real fast.

I recommend either Internet Explorer or Firefox to download that EXE, 'cause GChrome often returns something like "File Security Check Fail" at almost every download, even ones from Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity type web sites.

 

[AmericanPharaoh]

Just for the record, I using MSE and not experiencing update issues. Perhaps, you have something else going on. Possibly a software conflict with another third party application. I remember, in the past having MSE update problems when I installed certain applications. Since removing those, no more update problems with MSE.

John

 

[RolandJS]

John, you're right as rain! That certainly was a problem way back when! However, since then, many 3rd party programs have been removed. Along with MSE and Windows 7 Firewall, In action, is only Emsisoft Anti-Malware and until yesterday - HitmanPro & its Alert. I do have current full image OS backups, so I could experiment some...maybe I should run Piriform Speccy? You got any coffee you can PM me? It's early in the morning!

 

[torchwood]

Hi Roland,
Have a look at whats in,
(note change folder view to show hidden)
Program files
Program files (x86)
delete any offending items.
Any remnants from previous AV's can cause this type of problem, its actually quite common.

Roy

 

[MoxieMomma]

Hi, @RolandJS:

Any remnants from previous AV's can cause this type of problem, its actually quite common.

Roy

It's probably the Emsisoft Anti-Malware.
Despite its name, EAM is actually both an AV and AM: "Antivirus and Anti-Malware, all-in-one".
(The name choice was made by the company because MOST malware these days is non-viral.)

If you are running both MSE and EAM, you are, in essence, running 2 AVs.

As the others have suggested, it's advisable to have only one AV installed.
Even if the other AV is not running in real-time, the drivers can cause conflicts, slow-downs and other performance problems.

I respectfully suggest fully and cleanly uninstalling either MSE or EAM.

Cheers,
MM

 

[AmericanPharaoh]

@RolandJS,

Sorry, I missed the PM Coffee break...must of shut down right after posting you.

The reason a lot of third-party applications have compatibility issue are due to not certifying their software drivers with Microsoft...so I'm told. In addition: Third-Party software makers are always trying to play catch up to Microsoft.

As pointed out by MoxieMomma, having two AVs will certainly cause compatibility issues.... especially with creating "False Positions" in scan results.

@torchman, good suggestion!

John

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
DavidE posted this a while back
How To Fix Microsoft Security Essentials Virus Definitions Updates

 

[RolandJS]

I've had MSE update problems even way back to Windows 95-98SE, without Emsisoft AM. For awhile, I will stick with the two-step/two icons-twice weekly. Since I make routine OS partition full image backups, I can experiment and perhaps reach a smoothness of MSE operations.

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
The scheduled task worked very well when I used MSE
I dumped MSE when the update system went unreliable and switched to free Panda

 

[RolandJS]

Youse guys and gals gave good advice about not having two AVs running at the same time, so within MSE I unclicked all "action" boxes except for a scheduled scan daily 7pm.

 

[MoxieMomma]

Hi:

Others will correct me if I am wrong, but I understand "best practices" to entail having only one AV installed.
Even if the other(s) are "disabled" or turned off, the DRIVERS can still cause conflicts with the chosen AV.

As such, it's my limited understanding that other AVs should be cleanly removed from the system, using the vendor's removal tool, if needed/available.
(If you have had OTHER AVs installed on this system before, I would likewise remove them, too.)

Some AVs are more finicky about this than others -- I am not sure how finicky EAM is.
And it seems that MSE has had updating issues for a while -- that would be cause enough for me to get rid of it. I see little point in running a security program in real-time (free or paid) for which the user must devise workarounds just to get it to update/perform correctly.

My two cents and worth less,
MM

 

[ThrashZone]

lol Indeed

Sometimes I believe there is a translation problem with Roland
He shows

[B]Antivirus [/B]Avast, Avira, CIS

And adds MSE into the mix

Good luck with all that buddy

 

[AmericanPharaoh]

It would be better to uninstall MSE and only use EAM if you have paid for it.

Otherwise, uninstall EAM, then uninstall MSE and reinstall it to correct any issues which may have been caused by the EAM installation.

Afterwards, just leave MSE set to it's default settings, it should be fine now.

Note: Make sure you reboot after uninstalling an Antivirus program. Then, go ahead and add the new Antivirus program.

If you decide to uninstall EAM, use Malwarebytes (MBAM) Pro instead for your Malware protection.

John

 

[RolandJS]

lol Indeed Sometimes I believe there is a translation problem with Roland He shows

[B]Antivirus [/B]Avast, Avira, CIS

Aned adds MSE into the mix
Good luck with all that buddy

ThrashZone - Over the years, I've used, active successively: AVG, Avast, Avira, Comodo IS [firewall only], and a smattering of anti-malware, anti-exploit, etc. -- all of which are gone now. The only remaining security programs: Windows 7 Firewall, EAM active, MSE scheduled scans, SpywareBlaster, and the Ruiware/BillP combine. All three computers are much more multi-layered and much less overlapping than ever before.
Addendum: Found the old info on profile, other info now reads:
Windows 7 Firewall, Emsisoft AM, MSE [scan-only], SpywareBlaster, Ruiware/BillP combine