Microsoft Security Essentials

I used quite a few packages over the years. As a speed freak, I can tell when something isn't right and I recently suspected something was up. So, I downloaded SpyBot SD and scanned. It found nothing. So, thought I would try Microsoft Essentials and it immediately found a Trojan. Not only that, the next day it intercepted another Trojan which was attached it a software program I downloaded. Essentials will be my choice for the foreseeable future.

i have been using MSE since the start of this year, and to be honest it hasn't let me down once since i first started using it. Am a student and at my university, they have this other Anti-virus program but my usb still gets infected at school any way, so i installed MSE on both my desktop (windows 7 64-bit) and my laptop (windows 7 32-bit) and both my computers have never been cleaner in years. I definitely give it a thumbs up and you should definitely give it a try. you won't be disappointed.

My computer came with McAfee and Defender. I was thinking of switching Defender to MSE, but while investigating, learned (on your site) that Defender is only anti-spyware. Maybe this is why it doesn't conflict with McAfee. You say not to have 2 AVs, but many people commenting on your topics talk about having 2 or more products running successfully. What's the deal? I would like to replace Defender with MSE if this would be OK. A MS tech. told me on the phone it would be OK, but I don't think I can trust his knowledge. Can you clear this up? Thank you.

EDITOR'S NOTE: It's not a bad idea to replace Defender with MSE, since MSE includes the Defender component. Just get rid of your other AV program, because it's not good to have two.

QUESTION: I have Windows XP Pro SP3 and am thinking of obtaining Microsoft Security Essentials.

One problem that I have heard of concerning this program is that it automatically sets Microsoft Updates to Automatic, whether the user wants this or not.

Now, I don't particularly mind this behavior, provided, of course, that I am allowed to reverse it after MSE is installed.

So, could someone please check and see whether, in fact, one is able, under Windows XP Pro SP3, and post-install of MSE, to de-select Microsoft Updates from Automatic? (Check it after a reboot in case it resets itself.) Or, does MSE somehow render this setting "permanent"?

--”Glenn P."

I like MSE...

Its does a pretty good job and certainly beats symantec hands down.

I have see trojans now targeting it directly, like other antivirus programs so the hackers know its out there.

I saw one that disabled your antivirus and it would alter itself ever time and stop the MSE update.

Hi, I just read all your recommendations & decided to install windows defender x 64, malwarebytes, & avast.
Is this an o.k combination?

I'm worried I may have to many things installed(or to few).

Thanks so much for your time... :0)

You'll notice that MSE is recommended for home use only. For a business you should upgrade to Microsoft Forefront Client Security. If you don't want to do that, stay with GOOD commercial Anti-Virus and Anti-Malware programs.

EDITOR'S NOTE: I really don't accept the premise that the average small business with a few employees needs anything different than what a home user would need for security.

Hi All,

So to clarify, if I am currently running McAfee, I can uninstall and just download MSE for free???

I'm sceptical.

Also, I thought Spybot was different than an antivirus. I usually use Spybot, manual cleaning along with McAfee.

Also, what about AdAware, asuming I can/should still do a regular manual cleaning?

So again to clarify. Get ride of all of the above and download MSE and be worry free? Still sceptical : )

EDITOR'S NOTE: Yes! MSE includes both anti-virus and anti-spyware protection. You can dump both Spybot and the resource (and money) hogging McAfee, and install MSE as a complete replacement.

MSE just updated their program to version 2. The Firewall is more involved and there are more options, making it a little more personally usable.

I had AVG for years and it was great, until they went overbloat in version 9 & 10. Then I tried Avast. I think it has too much nag for my taste. So I switched to Antivir. It was good, but my husband got a trojan and was so hard to get rid of, SP3 was unable to install.

So I switched to MSE and have installed the new version 2. I like it. It works, and it stays out of my face. You'd think that if MS makes it, it works best with Windows OSes.

I also do Spybot Search & Destroy, Malware Bites, and HiJackThis, but only manually. I often forget to scan.. so I like the fact that MSE scans for malware too.

And most of all it's FREE. I am a firm believer that "security" should be free. It just makes sense.

Very interesting.

I have Comodo Internet Security (without the AntiVirus module) and Malawarebytes Free Ed., for occasional double checking: I believe there is no conflict because this is not proactive.

After problems and a complete dislike of PC Tools AntiSpyware + Firewall, I added Microsoft Security Essentials and as far as I know, it is brilliant.

I agree about the fast Quick Scan on MSE but not the full scan. I use about 80GB of my hard drive currently, and the MSE Full Scan takes SEVEN hours. It does not find any problems but seven hours is far too long. Given comments about full scan in 45 minutes, I wonder if there is something wrong with the programme or my installation. Perhaps Comodo slows it down?

Today, from Give Away of The Day, I can get Outpost Security Suite Pro 7.5.1 – Performance Edition as a freebie. It seems to be top of the class in performance terms but naturally Comodo and MSE will have to go.

I'm uncertain that I want to switch anything. What do you think, please?

I am happen to pay for a product if it is better. I had PC Tools as mentioned and it just got more and more expensive without doing a proper job, so, it was removed (no easy task with all it's registry entries etc) - I actually dumped it before the subscription ended, as it was causing no end of problems.

Thank you for this site.