Solved Ms security essentials question

My MSE says that my malware, spyware, etc. definitions are out of date, but when I try to update it won't happen. I also have a message on my toolbar that Windows cannot update. Is MS no longer supporting Vista or do I have a problem?

Hello Fred22. I'm using MSE 4.9 on Vista and my definitions have been updated today, so rest assured that the problem is at your end. In another recent post (http://www.vistax64.com/crashes-deb...pected-shutdown-bluescreen-2.html#post1408211), you stated that you had restored your system to a point before your last Windows update. I suggest that you try this: Open Windows Update, change the setting to "never check for updates," click OK, then restart the PC. After logging back in, open MSE, select the Update tab, and click Update definitions.

Thanks for your assistance. I did as you said...changed settings to "never check for updates", restarted, then opened MSE and the definitions were listed as up to date....don't know how that happened. Should I change my settings back to "check for updates" or leave it as is? PC seems to be running fine, but my security "shield" is asking me to turn on automatic checking for updates.

MSE updated itself automatically quicker than you could open the user interface. It will update daily even if Windows Update is set to "never check for updates," but one thing it cannot do is update while Windows is in the process of checking for updates. As you may or may not be aware, checking for and downloading Windows updates might take DAYS for a Vista PC these days (see http://www.vistax64.com/windows-updates/303992-windows-update-just-seems-hang-while-checking.html - not that anyone in their right mind would read all of that).

Frankly, you might be happier if you spend more time with your Windows 10 laptop instead of worrying about the final months of security updates for Vista. If the red shield is bugging you, you can right-click it and select Exit. However if you are determined to install Windows updates, please view you update history and find the most recent group of updates (other than definition updates) that were successfully installed, and let me know what the Date Installed was. I can then suggest a workaround for you.

Thanks for solving my problem...think I'll leave it the way it is...pc running fine and not worried about windows updates. RE security: I have MBAM, which most seem to think s better than MSE anyway. I'll click exit on the shield.

Fred22 said:

RE security: I have MBAM, which most seem to think s better than MSE anyway.

Click to expand...

Actually MSE 4.8 and 4.9 have proven to be considerably more effective than earlier versions. (I wonder which version you have now, and if you are using Defender 4.9 on Windows 10?) Malwarebytes is particularly effective against "potentially unwanted programs;" but frankly, people would never get PUPs if they were more cautious about downloading freeware. Nevertheless, I also keep Malwarebytes Free installed for occasional scanning.

You may wonder if MSE will remain useful after April 11, when support for Vista ends. When Microsoft ended support for XP in 2014, they threatened to cut off definition updates for MSE in July 2015 - but apparently that never happened: There are still XP diehards using MSE. Vista is much more similar to Windows 7 than it is to XP, so it might be difficult to cut off definition updates for Vista without affecting MSE users running Windows 7. So I believe that MSE will remain useful, but I intend to monitor the situation closely and I might be proven wrong. If you ever do switch to a third-party antivirus, you should first uninstall MSE, and keep in mind that http://www.vistax64.com/system-security/304411-vista-no-longer-supported-some-security-software.html.

Do you mean I need to uninstall MSE because I'm using MBAM? I'm using the free version on the desktop in question, but the premium version on my laptop.

No, I was thinking more along the lines of Avast. MBAM should not conflict with MSE, and I occasionally scan with the free version myself. (However I will say this: If MSE suddenly detected something while MBAM was scanning, my first thought would be "false positive.") I'm somewhat skeptical about the premium version, but I never used it so you tell me.

The premium version seems to be working well for me on my laptop. I think the only difference is that the premium version monitors in real time, which I don't believe the free version does. I think I'm paying $25 a year for the premium.