I’ve read the blog posts. I still don’t believe it. Will Microsoft really, for sure, cut off Microsoft Security Essentials malware signature updates o
[See the full post at: Buying Win7 Extended Security won’t get you MS Security Essentials updates. Or will it?]
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Buying Win7 Extended Security won’t get you MS Security Essentials updates. Or will it?
Home » Forums » Newsletter and Homepage topics » Buying Win7 Extended Security won’t get you MS Security Essentials updates. Or will it?
- This topic has 21 replies, 11 voices, and was last updated 5 years, 5 months ago.
AuthorTopicwoody
ManagerDecember 13, 2019 at 7:57 am #2019006Viewing 9 reply threadsAuthorReplies-
b
AskWoody_MVPDecember 13, 2019 at 10:01 am #2019043Questions can be submitted (and one has already been answered):
1 user thanked author for this post.
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woody
ManagerDecember 13, 2019 at 10:12 am #2019051I’ll try the AMA.
Wonder if they’ll give a straight yes-or-no answer?
5 users thanked author for this post.
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anonymous
GuestDecember 13, 2019 at 10:18 am #2019050I uninstalled MSE from the 3 out of 4 laptops that where running it but I may look at reinstalling it. But MSE has had some quirky behavior the last 8 months that have seen MSE fail to start on power-up or reboot and sometimes black screening the PC/Laptop.
But I’m more interested in seeing some reporting on MSE alternatives, both paid and free, with a focus on any Security Software that does not require the computer to be always connected in order to run a virus scan. Some of that “Free” security software spies on the end users and that and other privacy issues is concerning.
What about Windows 8.1 and its security offerings from MS and the option for purchasing one of the still available 8.1 OEM license keys available for purchase online?
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ryegrass
AskWoody Lounger -
anonymous
GuestDecember 13, 2019 at 7:39 pm #2019305I am not sure how you have your system setup but be careful if you re-install MSE.
When I went from Kaspersky to MSE I found MSE changed settings on my system like enabling Local Services I had disabled and turning on Windows Updates and it might have installed an update.
I would encourage all Windows 7 users to ensure they have a system backup.
2 users thanked author for this post.
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anonymous
Guest -
anonymous
GuestDecember 14, 2019 at 8:47 pm #2019672If you have uninstalled MSE then it doesn’t really make sense to re-install it now. You will still get Defender updates but you might need the latest SSU but Defender only prevents malware and doesn’t scan for viruses.
I would probably recommend something like Kaspersky even though they are spyware. Personally I also run an older version of Malwarebytes 2.2.1.1043 which get definition updates but I don’t upgrade to version 3. Again that isn’t a anti-virus but it does check for rootkits and it gives some peace of mind. Regular cleanup scans with CCleaner 419 before Malware scans can also work.
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anonymous
GuestDecember 13, 2019 at 1:52 pm #2019161? says:
interested to see how microsoft does this, i ran MSE on XP POSReady\Embedded from 2014 until April 2019. the last security patches came down on Tuesday April 9th and i was still able to update the MSE definitions until April 20th when it finally gave up the ghost (refused to connect to the server.) since microsoft offers some form(s) of extended win7 support after January patch day (and some folks may be using MSE) woud it not make sense to keep offering MSE definition updates?
1 user thanked author for this post.
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warrenrumak
AskWoody LoungerDecember 13, 2019 at 7:58 pm #2019310Not really, because the proper solution (from MS’s perspective) is to upgrade from MSE to System Center Endpoint Protection. This will already be within easy reach for anyone who will be continuing to support Windows 7 systems via an enterprise subscription. Pair it with Defender ATP and Windows 7 systems will be well-protected and well-monitored for years to come.
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anonymous
GuestDecember 14, 2019 at 4:13 am #2019387How similar are the apps and updates for MSE and Defender? Because I would suspect that the reason that MSE continued in XP is that they still needed to support it in Vista and Win7. If you’re just giving out the same updates, you might as well just let them work on WinXP as well.
If Defender basically is MSE, or at least the update files are basically the same, I could see Microsoft continuing the updates. But, if they are different enough, then I could see them not putting in the effort–especially if they provide other paid security solutions for Win7 as other posters have mentioned.
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anonymous
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_Reassigned Account
AskWoody LoungerDecember 14, 2019 at 4:38 am #2019403I will be interested to see how third party security suites handle Windows 7. I am sure they will continue to support enterprise but beyond that how many will bother with Windows 7 if Microsoft isn’t providing updates. You’re sort of taking on some liability trying to protect a OS that doesn’t get security updates.
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Cybertooth
AskWoody PlusDecember 14, 2019 at 12:11 pm #2019534FWIW, Norton/Symantec and Avast are still providing virus definition updates for my Vista machines. I don’t have any XP systems on Norton, so I can’t state categorically that XP would receive Norton updates, but my understanding of it is that they’re still doing this.
Also, this past summer I set up a Vista machine for my father and installed Panda Dome on it without issues. (BitDefender, my first choice, did object when I tried to install it.)
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BusinessSellCanada
AskWoody LoungerDecember 14, 2019 at 6:47 pm #2019656AVAST is still providing virus definition updates on my Win XP machine. The AVAST “program” version update has stopped coming; but the definitions still come for that final program version (September 2018, I think). Therefore, I assume that I am still protected. (For what it’s worth – I’m using the FREE version of AVAST, with none of the paid-for options/extensions).
2 users thanked author for this post.
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pHROZEN gHOST
AskWoody Lounger -
honx
AskWoody Lounger -
Cybertooth
AskWoody PlusDecember 17, 2019 at 1:39 am #2020523BitDefender Free is well regarded on this forum. I use it on one of my Windows 7 computers and am very happy with it.
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woody
ManagerDecember 17, 2019 at 9:49 am #2020646Submitted to the AMA. Join me!
1 user thanked author for this post.
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anonymous
GuestDecember 17, 2019 at 1:33 pm #2020716Congratulations, @woody , you got them to change their tune! From what I saw while monitoring the thread from 9:00-10:00 PST this morning was their response to you, and a rebuttal from another user who pointed out that not ALL Microsoft support sites were telling the same story, followed by a quick retort of “Thanks for pointing that out. I’ll have it fixed as soon as possible.”
1 user thanked author for this post.
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woody
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George S. Augustas
AskWoody PlusDecember 18, 2019 at 1:36 pm #2021146After reading that Micro$oft would stop supporting Security Essentials, I decided to switch to Bit¬Defender. I have to support some non-technical users that live far away, and installing Bit¬Defender now seems better than taking a chance that M$ will continue upgrading SE. Then, I’m covered either way. I’m running Bit¬Defender Free now, and it seems relatively unobtrusive. So far, no ads. And it found three “infected” files that SE had missed. So that’s pretty good. I’m still on Windows 7 for the near future. I’ll install Windows 10 someday, but not until I’m good and ready.
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