Must Read: Samsung Galaxy S4 review

Topic: Microsoft

Microsoft pushes new version of Security Essentials to existing users

Summary: I was one of many users of Microsoft's free Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) anti-malware bundle who received notification yesterday that Microsoft wanted to push to me a new version of MSE. What's inside the new MSE update?

Mary Jo Foley

By for All About Microsoft |

I was one of many users of Microsoft's free Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) anti-malware bundle who received notification yesterday that Microsoft wanted to push to me a new version of MSE.

Microsoft prompted users of existing MSE releases (including versions 1.0.1407.0, 1.0.1500.0, 1.0.1610.0, 1.0.1961.0, or an earlier version) to upgrade on June 28. The upgrade -- version number 1.0.1963.0 -- was marked "Important" or "High Priority."

(A quick refresher on MSE: MSE is Microsoft's replacement for Windows Live OneCare and a superset of Windows Defender. Microsoft officials have said it is meant for consumers who are unwilling or unable to pay for security software. There's a more business-focused, paid version of this bundle, known as Forefront EndPoint Protection (formerly known as Forefront Client Security), the latest version of which is due later this year.)

There was basically no information in the accompanying Microsoft Knowledge Base article about exactly what's included in the new MSE update (but plenty of information as to how to click on the upgrade/download tab.

So what's inside? A Microsoft spokesperson sent back this response:

"This (MSE) release is a part of the standard update cycle and includes only minor updates and fixes. This update contains some minor enhancements and compatibility fixes to facilitate a seamless upgrade experience to future versions of Microsoft Security Essentials."

I've been using MSE (codenamed 'Morro") on my Windows 7 PC to add a layer of virus/malware/spyware protection with next-to-no issues. (The only problems I did have with MSE were when two blocks of memory on my PC were going bad and I encountered a lot of MSE definition-update problems. Since I replaced the memory, MSE has been working fine.)

If anyone has any more info on what's in the newest MSE update, let us all know....

Topics: Microsoft, Hardware, Operating Systems, Security, Software, Windows

About

Mary Jo has covered the tech industry for more than 25 years for a variety of publications and Web sites, and is a frequent guest on radio, TV and podcasts, speaking about all things Microsoft-related. She is the author of Microsoft 2.0: How Microsoft plans to stay relevant in the post-Gates era (John Wiley & Sons, 2008).

Contact Disclosure

Kick off your day with ZDNet's daily email newsletter. It's the freshest tech news and opinion, served hot. Get it.

Talkback

22 comments
Log in or register to join the discussion

  • RE: Microsoft pushes new version of Security Essentials to existing users

    I got the notification also here in The Netherlands. I have updated all clients in my household to the latest version. We use MSE primarily here too, with no issues at all.
    eInfinity
    Reply Vote

  • Shadow Copy Problems

    With MSE, if you exclude some folders from scanning, the corresponding shadow copy folders are not excluded, which has caused backup problems when using the built-in (and horribly slow) Windows Backup. Otherwise, I've had no problems with MSE and it seems to run as fast or faster than the AV it replaced.
    YukioCowboy
    Reply Vote

  • RE: Microsoft pushes new version of Security Essentials to existing users

    I know this is off topic, but I'm still angry at MS for abandoning Windows Live OneCare. After struggling with McAfee and Norton over the years it was great to have a good all in one solution to PC protection. As a result I've held off upgrading to Win 7 until my subscription finally ends 8/1/10. Then I'm not sure what I'll use.
    samunro@...
    Reply Vote

    • RE: Microsoft pushes new version of Security Essentials to existing users

      @samunro@...

      MSE is lighter and less in the way. One Care doesn't need to monitor defragging in Vista or 7 since that is handled automatically. It checked for startup programs, handled temp files...this can be done with something light like ccleaner, and isn't a process that needs to be running all the time, though I suppose it is a bit more convenient.
      quidpro
      Reply Vote

    • RE: Microsoft pushes new version of Security Essentials to existing users

      @samunro@... Yeah, I'm angry about not paying antivirus protection anymore too! How dare they make me pay less!

      You don't need the extra bits of OneCare... all of those features are baked into the Windows 7 OS, so having OneCare is redundant.
      GoodThings2Life
      Reply Vote

  • MSE detected malware being brought home from school

    Thumbs up for MSE. It consistently detected a worm that was infecting school hard drives and trying to infect our house via our daughter's flash drive. I had to contact the school 2-3 times before they finally realized there was a problem with their software *not* detecting the problem.
    techvet
    Reply Vote

    • Curious

      @techvet

      May I ask what solution they have?
      The one and only, Cylon Centurion
      Reply Vote

  • I already have it?

    Mine was upgraded maybe two weeks ago (If I am remembering correctly), but then again I am part of the "ongoing beta".

    I use this on two out of three machines (The third one being left AV-Less), and have it running on my family's machines as well. Couldn't recommend it more.
    The one and only, Cylon Centurion
    Reply Vote

  • Did not upgrade

    I have version 1.0.1961.0, so I got the upgrade notice, and it failed. So I uninstalled it, and downloaded and install a new version, but it also is 1.0.1961.0. I got prompted to upgrade again, and it also failed.

    So I'm clueless as what is going on. I never had it find a Virus anyway so don't really care.
    user0one
    Reply Vote

    • You don't care?

      @user0one

      Ummm...you SHOULD care. You need to make sure that you have some anti-virus running immediately.
      tricktytom
      Reply Vote

    • Re: Did not upgrade

      One of the common effects of a virus is to prevent anti-virus programs from running or installing. Try an on-line scan at http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/default.htm. Other AV vendors offer free scans as well.
      jps@...
      Reply Vote

    • RE: Microsoft pushes new version of Security Essentials to existing users

      @user0one : couldn't upgrade within the program either. Send an email to Support and got a reply back within 24 hours. They even called me later. But just after I send the email Microsoft Update kicked in and showed it as "critical" update. You might want to check that too.
      jurren@...
      Reply Vote

      • RE: Microsoft pushes new version of Security Essentials to existing users

        jurren@... Thanks for the replies everyone. A bit of Googleing yesterday suggested letting MSSE update from Windows update.

        I had Automatic Updates disabled, so I Enabled it, and did see the MSSE upgrade in the the list of updates. I selected it, and MSSE successfully updated to the new upgrade version.

        I don't use the Real Time AV protection, but do like to have it to scan the occasional freeware app. that I might download.
        user0one
        Reply Vote

  • RE: Microsoft pushes new version of Security Essentials to existing users

    userone--------I haven't used anti-virus in about 9 years, and I don't use a firewall. My personal and very valuable main system never sees the Internet---ever. I use an older home-built PC with practically nothing installed to surf the "Net" and to read email as well as other Internet functions. All downloads go to a "sandbox" where they are checked for malware and other nasty things. If I want one of those downloads for my main system, I put it on a USB drive and transfer it onto my main system, knowing that the program or file is completely safe. If the absolute worst happens to my old "Internet" PC and a virus cripples it (which has never happened---I have never had a virus), then it would take approx. 20 minutes to restore from a full system image. I never have to worry about my main PC.
    warnerpeter@...
    Reply Vote

    • Or just get a free AV program . . .

      @warnerpeter@... Wow, someones a little nervous
      stano360
      Reply Vote

  • RE: Microsoft pushes new version of Security Essentials to existing users

    Just updated last night. After updating it told me that Windows failed validation and was not genuine (Win7-64, is in fact real deal). Turns out those 'optional' WGA updates from a month or two ago are not as 'optional' as you think if you want this MSE update.
    evil_edgar@...
    Reply Vote

    • RE: Microsoft pushes new version of Security Essentials to existing users

      @evil_edgar@...
      This is why I never bother with this crap.<br><br>There's always a sting attached to it...
      ahh so
      Reply Vote

  • no good

    I have MSE and it never stopped me from getting viruses. I would check this out out http://www.tapdrive.com/ they have really figured this all out. I got one and have not got a virus since
    vamike999
    Reply Vote

    • Never hard of this product

      @vamike999 Your message got flagged by me as being spam. I'm suspicious of any such post as yours.

      There are too many other well-known AV products (kaspersky, CA, Symantec, Vipre, AVG, Avast!, etc.) to take a chance on something like this.
      djchandler
      Reply Vote

  • RE: Microsoft pushes new version of Security Essentials to existing users

    Howdy,beneficial publish. Informations are honestly usefull <a href="http://www.authentic-jerseys-shop.com/" style="text-decoration: none; color: black;">cheap authentic nfl jersey</a> and saves me major sum of time which I expend on one thing else instead for studying posts such as this :) Im waiting around for a great deal more, bye :)
    jackson1984-24316069205748857739440257893812
    Reply Vote
CNET Join | Log In | Privacy | Cookies Close