Solved MSE not updating beyond definition version 1.143.376.0

[DavidE]

It's working correctly now...

 

[x BlueRobot]

Thanks for informing me, I don't have to download that file for my notebook now; just downloaded the file for the family desktop and it took quite a while.

 

[DavidE]

Yea, the auto update file size is much smaller than the manual download file!

You can always check for Windows updates, or click Update in the MSE GUI Update window to get the latest definitions.

 

[DavidE]

I have a scheduled task to check for updates every few hours, and that is working again!

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Mine hasn't autoupdated since I did a manual one this morning.

 

[DavidE]

If you get your MSE definitions updated using the default setup via Windows Update, then you probably only get definitions updated once a day - when Windows checks for Updates and automatically installs them.
If that's the case, yours are probably working correctly.

You can open the MSE GUI window, Updates tab, and click update.
If that updates your definitions, you're OK.

I don't use Auto Updates, I have Windows Update let me know when updates are available, so I can review them and choose when to install.

For MSE definitions I have a scheduled task so the definitions are more current (than once a day), and here is what I have for today.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

I've got Windows Udates set to download new updates but notify me before installing. I've never received any notifications of daily updates for MSE. I'm bitterly disappointed to find out that, apparently, the only updates I've been getting before this thread was when I ran my weekly scans.

Seems it will be a lot simpler (and safer) to switch back to AVAST! free. I didn't have to jump through any hoops to get automatic updates or do anything else when I was using it.

 

[DavidE]

Oh!

When MSE first came out I was getting alerted daily for a definition update.
That's why i set up a scheduled task.
I wanted those updates installed without being alerted, and not having to do anything manual.

Maybe they have changed these updates to "Optional" since then, and that's why you don't get alerted.
I wouldn't know as the Task runs silently, and I never see optional updates available when I check for updates.
I do see the definitions are getting updated in my Update History.

 

[King Arthur]

I have automatic updates completely turned off and from experience I can say that MSE will automatically update itself regardless of automatic update settings once per day at the time when the computer booted up.

Say for example I booted up my computer at 4pm, MSE will then check for an update automatically every day at 4pm while ignoring any settings for automatic updates. If I then reboot the computer at 10pm, MSE will then check for updates at 10pm every day, and so forth.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Well, that screws me over because I boot my notebook up several times a day and never at the same time. If I don't see an update by tomorrow morning, I'm dumping MSE and going back to AVAST free; I never had problems with it.

 

[DavidE]

Hello Lady Fitzgerald,

If you're interested in adding a scheduled task to get MSE Virus definition updates this is a good article with screen prints.
How To Fix Microsoft Security Essentials Virus Definitions Updates

I also found this article about tweaking the registry to do this, but I've never done this so I can't confirm if/how it works.
I would use the scheduled task as a first choice, rather the registry tweak...
How To Adjust Micorsoft Security Essentials Auto Update Interval From The Registry

I use Avast free on some of my systems and have not had any problems with it.
MSE is very simple, and Avast is much more complicated.
It's up to you which you prefer, and offers better security for you.
I would not be happy if I found my virus definitions were constantly out of date, and do something to fix it...

Hope this helps,
David

 

[x BlueRobot]

Yea, the auto update file size is much smaller than the manual download file!

You can always check for Windows updates, or click Update in the MSE GUI Update window to get the latest definitions.

I usually check the Windows Update section

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

I have issues with deceptive programs that need special tweeking to work the way they are supposed to. MSE's opening screen assured me that my definitions were up to date when, in fact, they were not and updates weren't happening unless I was running a weekly scan. I should not have to fiddle around with other programs or in the registry to get it to do what it was supposed to be doing in the first place.

Frankly, I've had it with MSE. I used to use AVAST! free but it seemed to be getting a bit top heavy with new bells and whistles so, since everyone was raving about MSE, I installed it when I got this machine last summer. I was P.O.ed enough, I downloaded the installer for AVAST! free last night, then disconnected from the internet, removed MSE, installed AVAST! (it ran a quick scan after installation), reconnected to the internet, and checked to be sure the definitions were up-to-date (I was surprised to find out that they were). I set automatic update checking to 90 minutes (default is 240). When I booted up this morning and checked to see if an update had happened yet, it had. Boot up time since installing AVAST! doesn't seem to have changed and the machine appears to be working as fast as ever.

 

[DavidE]

I understand and can't disagree with anything you said.
I would like it if MSE warned when definitions were out of date by a day or more!
That's not way MS implemented MSE...
i.e. With MBAM Pro I can specify when to get alerted for out of date definitions - I choose 1 day.

fyi about Avast:

They now have "Streaming Updates" that push down definition changes "as they happen".
Unless you disabled this, you should silently get "small" definition updates without waiting for the "full 90 minute" refresh.

Avast is doing internal (not public) BETA testing right now on Avast 8.
So be aware there will probably be a new version released within the "next few months"...???

A new feature being added checks for out of date programs (like Secunia PSI).
It probably can be turned off if a person doesn't want it, but that's just my guess.

I don't work for Avast or have any financial interest.
I've read about this on their forums.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

I understand and can't disagree with anything you said.
I would like it if MSE warned when definitions were out of date by a day or more!
That's not way MS implemented MSE...
i.e. With MBAM Pro I can specify when to get alerted for out of date definitions - I choose 1 day.

fyi about Avast:

They now have "Streaming Updates" that push down definition changes "as they happen".
Unless you disabled this, you should silently get "small" definition updates without waiting for the "full 90 minute" refresh.

Avast is doing internal (not public) BETA testing right now on Avast 8.
So be aware there will probably be a new version released within the "next few months"...???

A new feature being added checks for out of date programs (like Secunia PSI).
It probably can be turned off if a person doesn't want it, but that's just my guess.
I don't work for Avast or have any financial interest.
I've read about this on their forums.

Thanks for the update (pardon the pun). I have no problem (quite the opposite, actually) with Avast pushing down updates as they happen. I reset the "timer" mostly because this machine is rarely on for four hours.

When I used Avast in the past, it seems there was a new version roughly every year or so. No biggie since I always can turn off features I don't want to use.

The Secunia PSI clone sounds interesting. I've been using Secunia for several years without any problems but, lately, it has been getting an occasional false positive that's been a bit of a pain to deal with (more an annoyance than a problem). It will be interesting to see if Avast's version is any better or not.

 

[King Arthur]

I'm marking this topic as solved since the problem appears to be resolved. Just manually updated via MSE to 1.143.765.0 which is the latest definitions available as of this writing.