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Download the update for microsoft security essentials antivirus. Comments (5) to “Free antivirus Microsoft Security Essentials”

general information

Microsoft Security Essentials antivirus is completely free and can only be installed on licensed versions of Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7. All beta testers of this antivirus are strongly recommended to update their version of Microsoft Security Essentials to the final version.

At the time of release of the antivirus, localized versions are available for residents of Australia, Austria, Belgium (French and Dutch), Hong Kong, France, Ireland, Italy, Spain, China, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore USA, Taiwan and Switzerland (German and French) and Japan.

Microsoft Security Essentials download process

1. If JavaScript is disabled in your browser, enable JavaScript.

2. To download Microsoft Security Essentials antivirus, .

3. On the Microsoft website page that opens, click the button Download Now(if your browser blocks a pop-up window, then allow pop-ups for the microsoft.com domain in the browser settings and, if necessary, in the firewall settings too).

4. In the window that opens, select the language and your version of Windows 7 (32-bit or 64-bit).

5. Select a location to save the file and wait for Microsoft Security Essentials to download.

6. Before you begin installing Microsoft Security Essentials, be sure to uninstall the antivirus program you currently have installed (Start -> Control Panel -> Programs and Features).

Installing Microsoft Security Essentials

Run the downloaded file and follow the instructions in the Microsoft Security Essentials installer.

An Internet connection will be required during installation of the antivirus.

After you accept the license agreement, the Microsoft Security Essentials installer will require you to authenticate your copy of Windows.

You can continue installing the antivirus only if Windows authentication is successful.

After the installation of Microsoft Security Essentials is complete, you need to update the virus databases in order to start using the antivirus. If you don't uncheck Scan my computer for potential threats after getting the latest updates(Scan my computer for potential threats after receiving the latest updates), then after the installation of Microsoft Security Essentials completes, updating the virus databases and scanning your computer will begin automatically.

If you press the button Cancel Update, the update process will be interrupted, and when you start the update again, it will continue from where it was paused.

Manual antivirus scanning

1. Launch Microsoft Security Essentials.

2. On the tab Home set the type of anti-virus scan (Scan options):

Quick(Quick scan) – the most frequently infected locations are checked. A quick check usually lasts a few minutes.

Full(Full scan) – searches for viruses and other malware on all disks and in the computer’s RAM. A complete scan may take from several minutes to an hour, depending on the hardware capabilities of the computer.

Custom(Custom Scan) – Anti-virus scanning will only be performed in the locations you specify.

To start checking, click the button Scan now.

Microsoft Security Essentials Updates

Microsoft Security Essentials and its virus databases are updated automatically using Windows Update.

If you want to update Microsoft Security Essentials and virus databases manually, run the antivirus, go to the Update and press the button Update(Update).

It is also possible to update Microsoft Security Essentials virus databases without an Internet connection. To do this, you need to find a computer with Internet access and download the full set of Microsoft Security Essentials virus databases for your version of Windows:

After downloading the executable file of the update installation program, right-click on it and select from the context menu that appears Run as administrator.

Story

To view a list of all malware and infected objects detected on your computer, launch Microsoft Security Essentials and go to the History.

To view the list of objects in quarantine, on the tab History select Quarantined items(Quarantined objects are undeleted infected objects that are unable to function and are stored in a special “Quarantine” folder).

To view a list of objects missed during scanning, on the tab History select item Allowed items.

To clear your history, click the button Delete history.

Setting up Microsoft Security Essentials

Launch Microsoft Security Essentials and go to the Settings.

On the left side of the screen is the main program settings menu.

Scheduled scanning

To schedule anti-virus scanning, in the main program settings menu, open the item Scheduled scan, check the box, set the frequency and type of anti-virus scanning of the computer, indicating the day of the week, time of day and scan type - Quick scan or Full scan.

Here you can schedule a scan and update of anti-virus databases before scanning by activating the function Check for the latest virus and spyware definitions before running a scheduled scan(Check for the latest virus databases before starting the scheduled scan).

Activate the function Start the scheduled scan only when my computer is on but not in use to have Microsoft Security Essentials Antivirus perform scheduled scans only during idle periods when the computer is turned on but not in use.

To disable scheduled anti-virus scanning, uncheck the Run a scheduled scan on my computer.

For the changes to take effect, click the button Save changes(Save changes).

To assign what actions Microsoft Security Essentials should take when it detects a virus or other malware, go to Default actions(Default Actions) in the main Microsoft Security Essentials settings menu.

Microsoft Security Essentials divides all malware into four threat levels, and if malware is detected, one of four levels of protection is activated, depending on the severity of the threat. For each protection level, you can set a default action (or check the box next to Apply recommended actions and leave “Recommended” at all levels):

Severe alert level(Highest Severity Level), default action options available:

Remove(Delete)

Quarantine(Quarantine)

High alert level(High Severity), default action options available:

Remove(Delete)

Quarantine(Quarantine)

Medium alert level(Medium Severity), default action options available:

Remove(Delete)

Quarantine(Quarantine)

Allow(Skip)

Low alert level(Low Severity), default action options available:

Remove(Delete)

Quarantine(Quarantine)

Microsoft Security Essentials, like most antivirus programs, contains a resident scanner that protects your computer from malware in real time in the background. To set up the Microsoft Security Essentials resident scanner, open Settings -> Real-time protection.

To enable real-time protection, enable the feature Turn on real-time protection(enable real-time protection).

You can then configure the Microsoft Security Essentials Residential Scanner settings by activating or deactivating the following features:

  • Monitor file and program activity on your computer(Monitor the activity of files and programs on the computer);
  • Scan all downloaded files and attachments(Scan all downloaded files and attachments).

Exceptions

In Microsoft Security Essentials, you can prevent scanning of specific files and folders, certain types of files (specified by extension), and even certain processes.

1. To prohibit anti-virus scanning of specific files or folders, open Settings -> Excluded files and locations(Excluded Files and Locations) in the Microsoft Security Essentials setup menu.

Click the button Add(Add) and specify which files and folders you want Microsoft Security Essentials to ignore during scans.

To re-enable anti-virus scanning of previously excluded files or folders, select the desired file or path and click the button Remove(Delete).

2. To disable anti-virus scanning files of certain types, open the item Settings -> Excluded file types(Excluded File Types) in the Microsoft Security Essentials setup menu.

Enter the extension to be excluded (for example, *.jpg) into the line and click the button Add(Add).

Remove(Delete).

3. To avoid checking for certain viruses process types, open the item Settings -> Excluded processes(Excluded Processes) in the Microsoft Security Essentials setup menu.

You can only disable processes whose executable files have the following extensions:

Enter one or more extensions in the line and click the button Add(Add).

To re-enable anti-virus scanning of previously excluded file types, select the desired extension in the list and click the button Remove(Delete).

Additional Microsoft Security Essentials settings

To adjust additional settings, open the item Settings -> Advanced(Advanced) in the Microsoft Security Essentials settings menu.

Activate the function Scan archive files(Scan Archive Files) to allow Microsoft Security Essentials to scan archives (such as .zip, .cab, etc.) for virus scanning.

Activate the function Scan removable drives(Scan Removable Drives) if you want Microsoft Security Essentials to scan your removable drives for viruses and other malware.

If you activate the function Create system restore point, then Microsoft Security Essentials will create a system restore checkpoint every time before starting an antivirus scan.

If you activate the function Allow all users to view the full History results, then all computer users will be able to view the history of anti-virus scans. If you deactivate this function, only users with Windows administrator rights will be able to view the history of anti-virus scans.

Microsoft SpyNet – Microsoft Spy Network

Every time a virus or other malware is detected on your computer, Microsoft Security Essentials sends information about the detected threat to Microsoft. You can choose one of two types of sending this information:

1. Basic membership(Basic Membership) – Microsoft Security Essentials only sends basic information about the virus it finds. This information includes:

  • source of the virus;
  • actions taken by the user or the Microsoft Security Essentials program;
  • whether the actions taken were effective.

2. Advanced membership(Advanced Membership) – In addition to basic information, Microsoft Security Essentials sends to Microsoft:

  • location of the malware;
  • file names;
  • principles of malware activity;
  • how far the malware has spread within your computer.

In some cases, personal information will be sent to Microsoft. However, Microsoft promises not to use this information to identify or contact the user.

Programs for Windows 7


Security Essentials is a software antivirus product from Microsoft that works as a built-in solution in new operating systems (Windows 8 and 10), or as an installable application for Vista or Windows 7. The program is distributed absolutely free, and new virus signatures are sent out weekly, and this is a good alternative to paid antiviruses from third-party developers.

Despite all the advantages of this program, users rarely choose it as their main means of protection, and are also not aware of its basic functions. Also, there is not much information on the network about how Microsoft Security Essentials is updated, and since I myself use this software, I wanted to fill this gap. In this article I will talk about the standard procedure for downloading a new version of the anti-virus database, and also consider some of the problems that arise during this operation (and read about how to temporarily disable this anti-virus). Let's get started!

Standard update

There is absolutely nothing complicated here. To update Microsoft Security Essentials manually, all you need to do is:

  1. Open the main program window.
  2. Go to the "Update" tab.
  3. Click on the button of the same name to start searching for a new version of the anti-virus database.

Important! The screenshots in this article were taken using Windows Defender, which is included with Windows 8. This is not a big deal, since the Security Essentials program is its exact analogue, but only for previous editions of the OS. The structure of tabs, settings and windows in these applications is completely identical.

Immediately after completing the last step in the above instructions, the search, download and installation of current signatures will occur:

Proxy

In theory, the update procedure should not cause any difficulties if the Internet access settings are correct. However, like any other software package, Microsoft Security Essentials antivirus is not updated if the computer accesses a proxy server and the system is not properly configured for this.

Defender itself does not have network access settings within itself: they are pulled up from “Browser Options,” a special component of the Windows Control Panel. Therefore, to check your network access settings and update Microsoft Security Essentials through a proxy, you will need:


All you need now is to specify the correct settings for accessing the Internet by entering the proxy server address and port in the appropriate fields below. Here I cannot give any exact values ​​or recommendations, and you should find out this data yourself from your system administrator, or from the provider providing you with a connection to the Network.

Important! You should understand that incorrect network access settings are only one of the few reasons why Microsoft Security Essentials is not updated. You might just want to try the update procedure again later, as the Microsoft server may simply be overloaded.

So, that's all I wanted to tell you about updating Windows Defender. I hope that many users will choose it and make this application their standard antivirus on their computer. And if you want to remove this antivirus, you can read how to do this. See you later!

From time to time, some Microsoft Security Essentials users experience problems with the update. There may be several reasons for this. Let's figure out why this happens?

1. The databases are not updated automatically.

2. During the scan process, the program displays a message that updates cannot be installed.

3. If you have an active Internet connection, you cannot download updates.

4. The antivirus constantly displays messages about the impossibility of updating.

Often, the cause of such problems is the Internet. This could be a lack of connection or a problem with your browser settings.

We solve problems related to the Internet

First you need to determine whether there is an Internet connection at all. In the lower right corner, look at the network connection or Wi-Fi network icon. The network icon should not be crossed out, and the Wi-Fi icon should not contain any symbols. Check internet availability on other applications or devices. If everything else works, move on to the next step.

Resetting browser settings

1. Close the Internet Explorer browser.

2. Go to "Control Panel". Finding the tab "Network and Internet". Let's go to "Browser Options". A dialog box for editing Internet properties appears on the screen. In the additional tab, click the button "Reset", in the window that appears, repeat the action and click "Ok". We are waiting for the system to apply the new parameters.

You can go to "Properties: Internet", through search. To do this, enter in the search field inetcpl.cpl. Double-click the found file and go to the Internet properties settings window.

3. Open Explorer and Essentiale and try to update the databases.

Changing the default browser

1. Before changing the default browser, close all program windows.

2. Go to the dialog box for editing Internet properties.

2. Go to the tab "Programs". Here we need to click the button "Use as default". When the default browser changes, open Explorer again and try to update the databases in Microsoft Security Essentials.

Other reasons for not updating

Rename the system folder “Software Distribution”

1. Start in the menu "Start", enter into the search window "services.msc". Click "Enter". With this action we went to the computer services window.

2. Here we need to find the automatic update service and disable it.

3. In the search field, menu "Start" enter "cmd". We went to the command line. Next, enter the values ​​as in the picture.

4. Then we go back to services. Find automatic update and run it.

5. Trying to update the databases.

Resetting the antivirus updater

1. Go to the command line using the method indicated above.

2. In the window that opens, enter the commands as in the figure. Don't forget to press after each "Enter".

3. Be sure to reboot the system.

4. We try to update again.

Manually updating Microsoft Security Essentials databases

1. If the program still does not download automatic updates, try updating manually.

3. Download the file, launch it as a regular program. You may need to run it as an administrator.

4. Check for updates in the antivirus. To do this, open it and go to the tab "Update". Check the date of the last update.

If the problem persists, read on.

The date or time on the computer is not set correctly

A fairly popular reason is that the date and time on the computer do not correspond to real data. Check the data for consistency.

1. In order to change the date, in the lower right corner of the desktop, click once on the date. In the window that appears, click "Changing date and time settings". We change.

2. Open Essentials and check if the problem is still there.

Pirated version of Windows

You may have an unlicensed version of Windows. The fact is that the program was configured in such a way that owners of pirated copies could not use it. When you try to update again, the system may be completely blocked.
We check the availability of a license. Click "My computer. Properties". Down in the field "Activation", there must be a key that matches the sticker included with the installation disk. If there is no key, then you will not be able to update this antivirus program.

Problem with the Windows operating system

If nothing helps, then most likely the problem is in the operating system, which was damaged during the registry cleaning process, for example. Or is it a consequence of exposure to viruses. Typically, the main symptom of this problem is various system error alerts. If this is the case, then problems will begin to arise in other programs. It is better to reinstall such a system. And then reinstall Microsoft Security Essentials.

So we looked at the main problems that may arise when trying to update the databases in the Microsoft Security Essentials program. If nothing helps at all, you can contact support or try reinstalling Esentiale.