Security Essentials does not wake computer to update.

[nodsirrah]

I have Security Essentials set to update at 3 AM Sunday morning, yet when I start the computer after 9 AM it starts the update at that time and it updates while I am working and slows me down.
Windows Update runs at Midnight and is finished before I start to work.

 

[nodsirrah]

I think I followed your instructions properly. I'll find out Sunday morning.
I believe you said the Updating MSE icon will show up every 1 hour whenever I am using the computer so I will watch for it.
Thanks,
Don

 

[marsmimar]

You might be interested in this article on how to set up a schedule that checks for updates every three hours. I think updating only once a week leaves your computer too vulnerable.

Update Microsoft Security Essentials on a schedule

 

[Corrine]

I have Security Essentials set to update at 3 AM Sunday morning, yet when I start the computer after 9 AM it starts the update at that time and it updates while I am working and slows me down.
Windows Update runs at Midnight and is finished before I start to work.

The reason that Microsoft Security Essentials starts an update after 9 AM when you are starting work is because there was a new set of definitions released since the previous update. Generally, there are at least two updates released each day.

 

[Corazon]

nodsirrah: you mention that you start your computer in the morning. To me, that means it's off overnight. Were you expecting it to turn on, update MSE and shut off again?

 

[nodsirrah]

Corazon: I am glad you asked, I used the wrong terms.
The Hard Drive goes into sleep mode after 30 minutes, so basically it is in sleep mode when MSE attempts to update. I press the spacebar when I decide to use the computer. When I press the spacebar Sunday morning I get notice that MSE is updating.
So, what I originally wanted to do is have MSE wake up the computer at 3 AM Sunday morning and finish updating before I am ready to work.
However, it would be more secure to have MSE update whenever updates are available. How do I do that?

 

[Corazon]

I see...MSE might be holding off on the update because it doesn't want to wake a sleeping HD ... *imagines MSE tip-toeing around a HD snoring in a bed* ... sorry, lol

Anyway, you could simply disable putting the HD to sleep...or maybe there's an option to force MSE to wake it when needed. Since I don't use MSE I don't know if that's possible, but it's an idea.

 

[cluberti]

Generally, when Windows is in sleep (the OS, not just some components), only "critical" events will wake the machine. For example, the default defrag task will not, but Windows update would.

You can create your own scheduled task (Task Scheduler > Action > Create Task) and make sure the "wake this computer to run this task" box is checked on the Conditions tab, but I'm not sure this is necessary. Given updates are released multiple times a day (about every 8 - 12 hours), you should be OK letting MSE update itself only when the system is running.

 

[DBone]

You might be interested in this article on how to set up a schedule that checks for updates every three hours. I think updating only once a week leaves your computer too vulnerable.

Update Microsoft Security Essentials on a schedule

Awesome! I was able to create an auto-update task that checks for updates at each startup, and then every 5hrs after that.......Thanks again!

 

[marsmimar]

Glad you found that article helpful.

 

[nodsirrah]

Thanks for the information, MSE now updates seamlessly.

 

[marsmimar]

Glad to hear it. Thanks for posting back.