Win7-64 MS Security Essentials replacement

Discussion in 'other anti-virus software' started by pencarrow, Jan 15, 2020.

  1. pencarrow

    pencarrow Registered Member

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    Since Microsoft is dropping updates/support for MS Sec Essentials on Win7 platform...

    I have a PC (Win7-64) used exclusively for home music studio work, which requires a low overhead and minimal operating system "interruptions" which could impact music production. The PC is offline for music work, however, I do connect to the web temporarily for downloading updates, new product trials, etc. PC is connected via WiFi external adapter.

    I have been using Security Essentials for last couple years, and it seems to not require resources that interrupt music production. Several software products that I use will not run on Win10.

    As support is now ended for both Win7 and MS SecEss, I'm asking for guidance on a basic AV product that provides protection but minimizes operating system overhead, if such is possible. Willing to test-try a couple products to confirm no interruptions. I do weekly backups of the PC using Macrium Reflect.

    Also, I prefer paying for a product that provides better vendor and forum support.

    PS: On my Win10 desktop I use both Comodo and WinDefender (not sure if I need to use Defender).
     
  2. JRViejo

    JRViejo Super Moderator

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    FYI. What is Microsoft Security Essentials?
     
  3. pencarrow

    pencarrow Registered Member

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    JRViejo...

    Well that's good news. Different from a couple of articles that appeared in Dec which were warning about the Win7 version, but they didn't note that MS will continue providing the signature updates, just no installs for Win7.

    Thanks for the info!
     
  4. JRViejo

    JRViejo Super Moderator

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    pencarrow, you're welcome! I'm still using MSE in my Win7 64-bit PC, which will have to die with that OS installed. :shifty: :D Take care.
     
  5. trott3r

    trott3r Registered Member

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    I did see that mse wasnt included in the list of the unsupported.
    Good to have a year to look at, thanks
     
  6. JRViejo

    JRViejo Super Moderator

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    Actually it's 3 years, until 2023. :)
     
  7. Surt

    Surt Registered Member

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    On those occasions you connect, it would be a good practice, first thing, to open MSE and under the Update tab and check the dates/times, and hit the Update definitions button if necessary.

    Cheers.
     
  8. JRViejo

    JRViejo Super Moderator

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    I do it 4 times a day. :)
     
  9. Surt

    Surt Registered Member

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    Set up a recurring task in Task Scheduler running:
    C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MpCmdRun.exe -SignatureUpdate -MMPC
    Your path might be different.
     
  10. JRViejo

    JRViejo Super Moderator

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    Thanks but I rather do it manually.
     
  11. Pat MacKnife

    Pat MacKnife Registered Member

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    MSE in Win 7 is not that good compared with Windows Defender in Win 10 , but is mse enough to stop malware ?! .....
     
  12. JRViejo

    JRViejo Super Moderator

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  13. Surt

    Surt Registered Member

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    Hmmm. Just got around to noticing no updates since 1/14.
     

    Attached Files:

    Last edited: Jan 16, 2020
  14. lodore

    lodore Registered Member

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    I really don't understand Microsoft. Microsoft are supporting a brand new browser on an OS they just declared as EOL and still providing antivirus signatures but no platform updates?
    Most computers running windows 7 will run windows 10 so unless you have a legacy application that doesnt run on windows 10 may as well just upgrade and get much better security. I am not the biggest fan of apple however when they declare a product EOL they mean it which I feel is a better and easier to understand approach.

    I wish Microsoft wouldn't tempt people to stay on windows 7 by providing partial support. I feel that when windows 8 is EOL no one will even notice as the market share is already so low. 1% for windows 8 and around 4% for 8.1. Windows 7 is still around 20%
     
  15. JRViejo

    JRViejo Super Moderator

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    Surt, mine has been updating without issues:
    Re: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/wds...lease-notes?comboVersion=1.307.2475.0&select=
     
  16. Surt

    Surt Registered Member

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    Thanks, JR. That it stopped working on 1/14 was suspicious, and as I hadn't run a Windows Update since August I decided to go ahead and run it and spent the last hour or so updating a boatload of stuff, three restarts.

    Now MSE is updating. My WIndows 7 laptop isn't updating either. Guess I'll run Windows Updaye on that, too.

    Well, I'm up to "obsolete date" with the final updates for WIndows 7 now.

    The engine still works just fine.

    I have two Windows 10 systems fer that fine fine bettah puhtekshin. ;)
     
  17. Azure Phoenix

    Azure Phoenix Registered Member

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  18. JRViejo

    JRViejo Super Moderator

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    Correct, Defender in Win7 is not as robust as in Win10. MSE is Defender's 2nd cousin. :)
     
  19. Azure Phoenix

    Azure Phoenix Registered Member

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    Windows defender on W7 was essentially just an anti-spyware. Which is why users were encourage to use MSE instead.

    The Windows Defender in W10 is more akin to an advanced version of MSE
     
  20. Surt

    Surt Registered Member

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    Well, it's not necessarily network impotent. MSE has MS's Network Inspection System (NIS) using vulnerability, exploit and policy based signatures for IDS/IPS.

    It supports these application protocols: HTTP, DNS, SMB, SMB2, NetBIOS, MSRPC, SMTP, POP3, IMAP and (whew!) MIME.

    With antivirus and antispyware defs the same for 7, 8 and 10, MSE is a good, basic def/sig and heuristic solution when part of a layered scheme having greater sophistication.

    For me that's MBAE, SpySelter Premium, AppCheck Pro and Glasswire.
     
  21. Brummelchen

    Brummelchen Registered Member

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    simple as that - windows is EOL for home users (edition do not matter). but there are some embedded windows 7 and customers which pay for support.
    nevertheless there exist NO antivirus to fill system flaws, they are not designed to fill such gaps. with the upcoming patches in next months windows 7 is getting vulnerable. 30 per cent of windows system ar windows 7, thats a lot of systems to hack and make them zombies.
     
  22. Surt

    Surt Registered Member

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    By home users, surely you're referring to the clueless, unaware, careless or poverty-stricken masses or budget restricted charities and social service entities across the globe in homes or other places.

    You can't mean us Wilders members; we won't let no nothin' turn our Windows 7 systems into stinkin' zombies.

    Windows 10 systems are no worry. They're Microsoft supported.

    Anyhow, I think pencarow's OP was adequately addressed for "guidance on a basic AV product that provides protection but minimizes operating system overhead." A def updated MSE is as good bad as any AV as you point out.

    Good thing he didn't ask which Internet Security Suite he should buy. That opinion-fest would drag on until Minority Report connectivity takes over. :D
     
  23. JRViejo

    JRViejo Super Moderator

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    Amen! :)
     
  24. bellgamin

    bellgamin Registered Member

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    +10 to the nth
     
  25. Hiltihome

    Hiltihome Registered Member

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    I'm also running an old machine on WIN7, with external hardware, for measuring purpose.
    From time to time I use it for searing the web*, so I'm potentially vulnerable, starting next month.
    *Chrome and uBlock-Origin

    My solution:
    Regularly Veeam Backups, MSE and HitmanPro.Alert.
    I don't feel bad at all.
     
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