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MS-DEFCON 2:
Patch reliability is unclear. Unless you have an immediate, pressing need to install a specific patch, don't do it.
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Microsoft Security Essentials available – but don’t install it yet
Posted on June 24th, 2009 at 05:07 5 commentsAs promised, Microsoft has just posted Microsoft Security Essentials, formerly known as Morro, in both 32-bit and 64-bit flavors. MSE is Microsoft’s free antivirus/antimalware product that replaces both the old Windows Live OneCare (which is no longer available) and Windows Defender.
Yes, installing MSE automatically disables Windows Defender. That confirms a feeling I blogged about a couple of months ago, that Microsoft intends to orphan Windows Defender.
I’m playing with the official version right now. It’s interesting, but you shouldn’t use it on anything but a test PC. If you don’t have a test computer that you’re willing to sacrifice, don’t install MSE just yet.
If you do have a test PC and want to take Morro for a ride, follow the usual precautions for switching antivirus products:
1. Download the new product (MSE), but don’t install it.
2. Unplug your computer from the Internet.
3. Uninstall your old antivirus product.
4. Re-boot your computer.
5. Install MSE. It will tell you when you need to re-connect to the Internet.
UPDATE: Microsoft supposedly restricts MSE downloads to computers that are in the US, Brazil and Israel: the download site says, “This beta is available only to customers in the United States, Israel (English only), People’s Republic of China (Simplified Chinese only) and Brazil (Brazilian Portuguese only).” Tosh. I didn’t have any trouble at all downloading and installing it in Phuket, Thailand. The trick? Use Firefox.
5 responses to “Microsoft Security Essentials available – but don’t install it yet”
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Mike W June 24th, 2009 at 08:33
Sounds good, Woody.
Just wondering, any word yet on all of those updates released last Black Tuesday? I’m looking to appease the little yellow update shield in my taskbar.
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I’m still advising people to hold off on the June Black Tuesday patches. There haven’t been any major infections that I know about, and the collateral damage has been substantial. Let’s give it another week or so…
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Burt Green June 25th, 2009 at 03:13
Tuesday patches downloaded and installed themselves despite my “notify but don’t download” instruction. Never did that before. Thank God I have Vista Ultimate System Restore, back to an earlier date.
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rcprimak June 28th, 2009 at 03:10
@Burt Green –
Yes, what you experienced has happened to some people before, especially after Microsoft updates the updater software itself. As Woody has sometimes advised, it may be better to leave Automatic Updates completely disabled (or disable its Service through the Administrator Control Panel) and go to MS Updates manually through IE when Woody gives his OK to selectively download and install MS Updates patches. There used to be a half-page posting on this site explaining that.
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rcprimak June 28th, 2009 at 03:13
Update: Windows Secrets most recent newsletter has a headline article in their free content describing exactly what Burt Green has experienced. The guys from Redmond are at it again!
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