Slow scan

[Generally Aware]

Every time I run a full Microsoft Security Essential scan it takes 10 hours to scan 5,000,000 items or whatever they're called. I checked online and followed the advice to set the CPU at 90%. Also the scan periodically stops. Can anyone please advise me what might be wrong.
Thanks in advance.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Hello GA now mate that is a very long time in anyone's book and have you thought of uninstalling and then installing MSE again - maybe something else instead??

See this
FREE AV’s
If you want a good free AV then there are plenty in this
Free Windows Desktop Software Security List - Realtime Protection | Gizmo's Freeware
However I would advise you against using AVG, McAfee, Baidu, Ad-Adaware, and Comodo (only because it is a terrible nagger)
I have tested out Bitdefender, Avast,Avira, MSE, Sophos, and Panda and out of those I would if I were not using a paid for version of Kaspersky run Bitdefender, Avast, and Avira in that order and then the others. I mentioned the Kaspersky only because I have used it for a very long time now and as well as being an excellent AV is also very cheap to run at approx $0.035 a day (currently) and that is just about free and one gets the extra benefits.
The choice is yours as always.
(pretyped to save time)

 

[Layback Bear]

First please give us your system specs.

You can use this tutorial by Brink to help you.

System Info - See Your System Specs

Next:
I have used MSE for years and the scans are a little slower than some other anti virus programs but 10 hours is way to long.

It all depends on each systems hardware and what is installed. My system are very fast so it only take a few minutes.

It could also be helpful to see some more information with another tutorial.
This one by Golden.

Disk Management - Post a Screen Capture Image

What other security programs do you have installed?


Jack

 

[Generally Aware]

Thank you both for your replies but the instructions while clear are too complicated for me. I'm going to bring the computer to a repair place near me which is quite reasonable $30-40 for most fixes.
Thanks again.

 

[Layback Bear]

Generally Aware, you know you better than we know you.

So if that is what you choose to do, it's probable the best thing to do.

If you could let us know what was found and how things work when the shop is done; it could be helpful to others.

Jack

 

[Generally Aware]

Thanks I will when I get around to bringing the computer in. I've lived with the slow scans for a while so it might take a little time but I certainly will not forget because not being very computer literate I always appreciate the help from the posters on these forums.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

If you could let us know what was found and how things work when the shop is done; it could be helpful to others.

I would be so interested as to what is under that cover

 

[Layback Bear]

You say you are not very computer literate. That is okay. We all started out that way. Now one should decide whether they want to stay that way or learn some very basic things to do computing.

Something to think on.

Jack

 

[Generally Aware]

I agree Jack but since I do mostly emails, read sports and news sites, buy a few things online, and some google searches I'm at the point where I can get by fixing minor problems. The knowledge of these forum members is amazing and what you and others may consider basic computing is way above what some of us are capable of. I do try to fix problems as advised by the members and have been successful a few times but not so others.
Thanks,
Andy

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Andy as Jack has said we all had to start somewhere and me I am no different it just takes a little patience just as it does fixing say a car and the second time is easier than the first and so on and so on
John