Microsoft Security Essentials 2.0.657.0 Final

It's in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services

It's also listed under the other CurrentControlSet's. To see which one you are presently using, go to this key
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Select and in the right hand pane, note the Current number/value.

 

Yes, but I was replying to user sm1. I meant that I wasn't seeing any of those entries under the hidden devices in device manager. I just forgot to mention to whom I was replying. Sorry for any confusion.

 

My hidden devices of that were in a different location in the registry and I also had plenty in there as well.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Enum\Root

 

Greg, I took a scan through all 3 of those directories and so no mass of repeated entries like in the screenshot.

 

It could just be my old laptop or something I'm running in addition to MSE. I've always had issues that others haven't, lol. When I uninstalled MSE, I manually deleted the listings from the Services key. On a hunch, I decided to look in device manager at Hidden Devices. That's when I saw all those entries. Scratching my head, I went back into the registry under enum/root and saw the Hidden Devices there as well. When I install MSE again, I will post screenshots of mine. I did reinstall MSE in another snapshot yesterday and my CPU issue was cleared up so I will probably reinstall soon. I don't know why a definition update would have caused such high CPU for so long of time but it did.

 

Was it running Windows 7?

 

Yes it was

 

Hi, to see those entries you can do this:

Open Command prompt (cmd in admin mode).

Write command "set devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices=1" without quotes and press Enter.

Write command "devmgmt.msc" to open device manager.

Don't close command prompt yet.
In Device Manager
--> View --> Show hidden devices


Alternative way:

Windows Button -> Control panel -> System -> Advanced system settings ->
System properties -> Advanced tab -> Environment variables

Then add a "New" System variable
devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices with a value of 1

Press OK on all screens.

Then, go to device manager. Then enable "Show hidden devices" in the View menu.

Then navigate to "Non Plug n Play devices"

I got these steps here but I forgot the threads

 

@Chris

I don't get a constant stream but I do research a good amount of malware samples/links. What requirements are needed to work something out? Most of my samples are just links but I grab new files every once in a while.

 

Yes, I'm aware of those steps. But, what I meant was in my system there was no such mess, like the other user has show in the provided image.

 

Then does it have anything to do with UAC settings? Is your setting default, maximum or disabled? My OS is vista in which the UAC is always maximum and cannot change it. Or do you use any system maintenance utility which cleans these unnecessary junk?

 

How does this free antivirus compare with other free antivirus like Avast 6.0 and AVG 10

 

sorry we cant compair them here. I use MSE

 

I don't see any reason for you to be switching from avast! or any other AV for that matter unless you are having issues with it. Of course, this is more true IMHO in case of avast. MSE like they said about Neo in the Matrix, has the potential, but looks like it's waiting for something.

 

PERFECT

 

it is less customizable (maybe the least customizable AV) and this is a major minus for me

 

Really? How is it less customizable than other AVs? I find it adequate.

 

Well, is this a rhetorical question or what? MSE has about zero customization/settings available. Everyone knows it. It is good for people that cannot handle any AV settings/prompts or for those who are just fine with it, it is not for me though.

 

Yes! That's exactly what I like about MSE. It doesn't bug me with prompts, is simple & just gets on with its job. "Perfick!" as Pop Larkin would say.

 

No it wasn't rhetorical. You must be the rhetorical one, thinking that settings for updates, history, scheduled scans, alert levels, real-time protection modules, exclusions, scan locations, online community, etc means zero customization.

 

Geez, go, install Avast, AVG, or heck even Avira Free, and look... Then go, look at MSE. Thnxbye.

 

There nothing major missing from MSE settings. Just minor tweaks and other components.

Go install Panda Cloud, Ad-Aware Free, or even ZenOK.

 

Eh, you are just dense. Bye.

 

Instead of pathetic name calling, how about you tell me exactly what important settings are missing from MSE?

Also you haven't even tried to reply to my list of AVs.

 

It is perfect for the average user who doesn't know how to configure an antivirus program like Avast, or AVG, because there is really nothing to configure unless you want to set up a scan other than the default.

Since most of my clients are 50+ it is way perfect for them. I also find it works great with Windows 7 (go figure) better than with XP.

I have it on 3 of my business machines and i have tested it with the best of them and it does do what it says it does.

I have Avast Free on all my XP machines, I had MSE but it seemed to slow them down.

just my opinion.
robin