MSE Update question....

[bru]

I know some other free AV programs also only check once, albeit when you ask it to. MSE checks once and on it's own schedule . I guess it falls under the "get what you pay for" banner .

 

[ignatzatsonic]

What I don't understand (maybe someone can help) is that the developer of the software thinks so highly of definition updates, that it creates 3 updates a day, but yet it programs the software to only look for updates once per day? These two philosophies seem backwards to me. I would rather have the AV look for more updates then are produced.....No?

I've wondered about this also.

The technology briefs for MSE say that it does not rely solely on definitions.

It also uses the "cloud" to evaluate possible new threats that have not yet been formally recognized and entered into the definitions.

Of course, I don't know how well that strategy works. To the extent it does work, you may not need constant updates.

And it may follow that nonetheless making updates available to manual updaters several times a day is just a sop to pacify the obsessive. I dunno, MS might even say updating multiple times a day is hopelessly passé and that you should embrace the cloud and join the 21st century.

I've never had a problem with letting WU automatically update my definitions. It typically does so shortly after a cold boot, but always at least once every 48 hours assuming I start up every day.