"Preparing Security Options" message - is it genuine or a virus?

[Graeme2709]

"Preparing Security Options" message - is it genuine or a virus?

On my laptop the "Preparing Security Options" message is displayed if I press crtl alt del after I logon to Win7, before the desktop is displayed. Please can somebody give a definitive answer if this is a genuine Windows message or the action of a virus. Even MS won't give a definitive answer. There are many posts about this, people have said what they have done to remove the message but without any confirmation of whether it is or isn't becasue of a virus.
I think it is related to slow post bootup on my machine. Tghus far I checked the C: drive for errrors (none) scanned with malware bytes, run CC cleaner, avast anti virus, used system file checker and made sure the most up to date drivers are in use, reduced start up services and programs to the minimum. I still get this message after all that. So again please can somebody tell me definitively if "Preparing Security Options" is a genuine Windows message or the action of a virus.

 

[cyclic]

Usually it is an indication the you OS validity is under question and being scanned, whilst not always meaning it isn't valid. Thyis happens quite frequently after say installing a dodgy image file that may have corruption or system file dates are inaccurate.

 

[indianacarnie]

I couldn't replicate your problem on my machine and don't think I've ever seen it to tell you the truth. It may be time for a fresh clean install. It definitely couldn't hurt. Back up all your data first! Heres a tutorial on how to do that. We have many fine tutorials here, written by some very knowledgeable people, follow these steps and you'll get a perfect installation.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219487-clean-reinstall-factory-oem-windows-7-a.html

 

[Graeme2709]

Thanks for the replies. I have done a repair install already. It was giving the problem before though when I installed Win 7 64 bit home premium on a 0.75 tB drive ( My previous drive packed in after 14 months) I had to validate my copy of windows which I was able to do. My laptop only has the capability of restoring to factory settings which means it puts on lot's of HP bloatware. So I had to burn a Win 7 sp1 iso to DVD. I have run system file checker several times and nothing wrong has been found As I type Malware bytes is running. A clean install is drastic and I will have to spend hours re installing and re validating software. At the moment I can get a quick start up by hibernating the machine. I have about 5 mins of disc activity after log on that slows everything down, start up services are at a minimum and I use Avast AV. What is doing the scanning?