8 responses to “Microsoft Security Essentials wants to update itself – let it”

1. 

   Flashorn February 25th, 2011 at 21:07

   Hey Woody!
   Last Tuesday or Wednesday (early morning) I did get a definitions Update from MSE that was 22.something Mb in size. I found it weird that it would be so big but, went ahead and installed it anyways. Usually the updates are in the range of a few hundred Kilos. I checked your link and found that I most likely installed it through Windows Update (that’s how I manually update MSE when I first turn on my notebook).

   They say (MS):

   First version of the Microsoft Malware Protection Engine with this vulnerability addressed ” Version 1.1.6603.0″ .

   I verified mine and it says :
   “Engine Version : 1.1.6603.0 .

   Now, since you quote a KB #, shouldn’t I have one in the Installed Updates?? I don’t have one OR is that just the # of the Advisory ?

   Thanks for the info. It clarifies why that update was so big.

2. 

   Jacquie February 26th, 2011 at 04:53

   Dear Woody,

   For the last several days, Windows update has begun downloading updates, then suddenly disappears – no icon, no installations, nothing. Maybe a day later, it will ask again, begin, then disappear. What gives? I’m not doing anything, just click on OK to start.

   Totally confused…

3. 

   woody February 26th, 2011 at 09:42

   @Jacquie -

   First, make sure your automatic update is set to “Notify but don’t Download”. If you’re not sure how, click the tab up at the top of this page that says “Automatic Updates.”

4. 

   woody February 26th, 2011 at 09:43

   @Flashorn -

   That’s just the number of the advisory. I don’t think the update is listed anywhere, now that you mention it.

5. 

   rc primak February 28th, 2011 at 14:48

   Maybe the MSE update isn’t listed anywhere because it happens automatically, without necessarily prompting the user. On my Windows 7 laptop, that is what seems to have happened, and MSE is in default mode for updates on that computer.

6. 

   Mordechai (Morty) Schiller June 23rd, 2011 at 21:24

   Woody,
   I have MSE set to do a Full Scan every morning at around 4, at 50% PC usage. It used to finish in about 2 hours. Now it goes for more like 4 hours!
   Am I being overprotective? Should I change it to a Quick Scan every day? Or to a Full Scan once a week?
   Not that I’m paranoid or anything!
   All the best,
   Morty

7. 

   woody June 27th, 2011 at 21:37

   @Morty -

   Full scan once a week is more than sufficient, if it’s running actively.

8. 

   Mordechai (Morty) Schiller June 27th, 2011 at 23:16

   Woody,
   Thanks!
   (Don’t tell MOM!)
   Morty