How to switch AV from MSE to Bitdefender at EOL

Topic

New Reply

With Windows 7 approaching EOL, I’m wondering how to go about changing my AV from MSE to Bitdefender (free version).
Microsoft has said that MSE will no longer be supported on Windows 7.

Can I download Bitdefender to thumbdrive now to be used in January?
I’m thinking I probably will need to uninstall MSE on my computer and wonder if this will be a problem to do…. ie cannot fully uninstall MSE.
Still not fully on board with getting a new computer with Windows 10 (and apply the classic/open shell), or….. (it would be easier financially for me)
to just go with a Chromebook and keep my Windows 7 offline.

At first, thinking I could not connect Chromebook to my DSL (landline), however now I know I can by purchasing a ethernet to usb adapter.
Second, I thought not being able to print (using my existing printer) would be a deal breaker, but then I don’t really use my printer that much, so took that off the table.
Third, I can still use my Fuji digital camera with xd picture card and photo editing program, then transfer my edited pictures to a thumbdrive to use on my Chromebook!

Having said all of that…..
I would like to stay with Windows 7 (with a new 2 TB hard drive that was installed 10/2017) if possible.
Since my new hard drive, I have been Group A and have never had an issue whatsoever.
That is why I’m now looking into changing my AV to Bitdefender but not sure which is the best approach to take.

 

Reply | Quote

Replies

Why wait until Jan to change AV? There is no reason to keep MSE at this point.

Uninstall MSE now and install BitDefender Free. You will have to register with BitDefender, but there is no charge. I use it on all my test VMs, I’m too poor (cheap?) to put paid AV on my test stuff. It works great with little overhead.

2 users thanked author for this post.

jburk07, dgreen

Reply | Quote

PKCano Thank you for your response.
I’m assuming to uninstall MSE I should go offline.

When I go online to download BitDefender do I then go offline to install it or install it right after download online?
I only had MSE nothing else.
Will I need something else besides BitDefender or does it also have antimalware protection like MSE has?

Reply | Quote

You need to be online while installing BitDefender Free as it is Cloud based and you need to register to get the updates.

2 users thanked author for this post.

jburk07, dgreen

Reply | Quote

As PKCano states, why not install bitdefender free now. Good thing is, you probably haven’t patched this month (going by your previous timely reports) and you can guage how it performs and get used to it, although it pretty much takes care of itself, whilst your system is in good patching order.
(just missed your post)
I’d suggest, downloading the online installer executable, then go offline, uninstall MSE, restart, connect online and run the bitdefender free executable and follow the prompts whilst installing.

Windows - commercial by definition and now function...

3 users thanked author for this post.

jburk07, Pierre77, dgreen

Reply | Quote

Microfix
You are correct, have not patched this month.
Thank you for the link to BitDefender!
I was just a little gun shy about changing anything when my computer is running so good.
Will take the plunge later today.

1 user thanked author for this post.

Microfix

Reply | Quote

1. If contemplating the free version, it will toss advertising at you.
2. When I trialed it, despite not using the firewall I found the AV was writing a firewall log in the Windows directory (search for *.log to check if that is still happening). I wrote to Bitdefender about the issue. Their response was unhelpful. I uninstalled and told them to remove my account. They responded along the line, “if you do that you won’t be able to create another account”. I confirmed delete my account. They removed it

Group A (but Telemetry disabled Tasks and Registry)
1) Dell Inspiron with Win 11 64 Home permanently in dock due to "sorry spares no longer made".
2) Dell Inspiron with Win 11 64 Home (substantial discount with Pro version available only at full price)

2 users thanked author for this post.

jburk07, dgreen

Reply | Quote

I have 120 Win7 clients using Bit Defender Antivirus +. Have been for 4 years now. Not one single infection in all that time over all those machines.

I am strongly opposed to any and all “security” programs. They have the AV you need, but throw in all sorts of other stuff that in reality is no better than what Win7 already has. They work by disabling the win7 features. So, I stick with the Antivirus Plus product. It is also cheaper. More importantly, it uses far fewer resources.

If you can manage to get together with some other computer users, you can buy BD antivirus + for 3 installations for 1 year right now for $30. That’s $10/year per computer. https://www.bitdefender.com/solutions/antivirus.html

CT

2 users thanked author for this post.

dgreen, Kirsty

Reply | Quote

[dgreen]

Canadian Tech
My family/friends I know use their phones/tablets as computers.
Desktop/laptops are not used at all.

I will go with the free BitDefender for my Windows 7 computer and can only hope for the best.

• This reply was modified 5 years, 6 months ago by dgreen.

Reply | Quote

I am still running a Windows 7 PC as the heart of my home entertainment and media center. Plan to keep it running as is, until the wheels fall off. “Semper Fi”

Bitdefender Free is the only security program that I have run on it for the past few years.

No problems whatsoever, and it is light and simple to use. Set and forget, updates automatically. If desired, when you are not online, you can easily enable/disable real-time protection with just a couple of clicks. Full system scans are also only a couple of clicks away.

Windows 10 Pro 22H2

2 users thanked author for this post.

jburk07, dgreen

Reply | Quote

Have you ever seen ads from Bit Defender, as @SteveTree alleges in post number 1996391 above?

The reason I ask is that I’ve seen others talk about Bit Defender here (as well as @PKCano ) and no one has ever said anything about seeing any ads from the program.

1 user thanked author for this post.

dgreen

Reply | Quote

No ads here.

At least none that I can recall. I got the installer directly from the Bitdefender site. https://www.bitdefender.com/solutions/free.html

Other than a cut-down, much simpler user interface, the free edition does not have free online support.

Windows 10 Pro 22H2

3 users thanked author for this post.

kfb, jburk07, dgreen

Reply | Quote

Check the ratings from AV-comparatives. One of the best sources:
https://www.av-comparatives.org/comparison/
Switch to the Jul/Aug report

CT

2 users thanked author for this post.

Pointedly, dgreen

Reply | Quote

Hi all,

Seems the majority of the posters here are in favor of Bitdefender.

No offense, but I have my reservations about this software..

Now and then I help people on other forums and below are my observations

about the app:

(Copied verbatim from the email exchange)

You can make up your own minds……..

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Yes BitDefender – I wanted to see what it would do if I installed it.
Sure enough, if you do the full install, it wil uninstall – or disable , Windows Defender.
but it gets worse – You have to create an account and when you do, you have to agree
with all the rules that you won’t block communication with BitDefender servers.

The program must have full control over your computer,
When I read it, it looks to me like piece of Spyware – It wants to know everything you do on your computer and constantly sends info to their servers.

I’s worse than Windows.

On top of that, it shares the info with Adobe. which now becomes the second spy.
about any Adobe programs. Of course promotional mail is included…also from BitDefender

After reading al that -which most people don’t do – I decided against it.
I created NO account and subsequently uninstalled it.
But it didn’t give me a clean uninstall.
Lots of trash is left – and I used Revo Uninstaller.
But they are smart – they give a large part a different name, so it doesn’t show as being affiliated with BitDefender.

Nice people haha… Not MY people ”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Anyway – You decide…

Peter  .

2 users thanked author for this post.

jburk07, dgreen

Reply | Quote

RcsnhCwucz wrote:

On top of that, it shares the info with Adobe. which now becomes the second spy.

Do you have some reference for the Adobe data sharing contention?

A look at their Privacy Policy doesn’t mention any such data sharing… It would be interesting to know how extensive this is.

Their telemetry is obviously being used for threat analysis, if this type of article is anything to go by:

In fact, during the month of October alone, Bitdefender telemetry recorded more than 113 million brute force and password stealing attacks attempting to take down defenses and access user credentials – more than any other types of attacks, against over 6700 organizations worldwide.

1 user thanked author for this post.

jburk07

Reply | Quote

Kirsty wrote:

RcsnhCwucz wrote:

On top of that, it shares the info with Adobe. which now becomes the second spy.

Do you have some reference for the Adobe data sharing contention?

A look at their Privacy Policy doesn’t mention any such data sharing… It would be interesting to know how extensive this is.

Their telemetry is obviously being used for threat analysis, if this type of article is anything to go by:

In fact, during the month of October alone, Bitdefender telemetry recorded more than 113 million brute force and password stealing attacks attempting to take down defenses and access user credentials – more than any other types of attacks, against over 6700 organizations worldwide.

@ Kirsty,

Thanks for your response and query.

Do you have some reference for the Adobe data sharing contention?

Yes, I do. I wouldn’t have alluded to it if I didn’t have info to support my claim.

Of course, you had no way of knowing that……………

I got this via a different Privacy Policy  

where it states this at the very end of the Policy – (emphasis is mine)

Bitdefender participates in the Adobe Marketing Cloud Device Cooperative to better understand how you use certain websites and apps of ours across the various devices you use, and to deliver tailored experiences. Learn more about how Adobe does this and how you may opt-out of this program.

My concern is not only the privacy aspect, but also the number of services that this telemetry employs to achieve  its goal.

On top of Windows telemetry, which you can control – to a certain  extent -for Bitdefender

you can’t ,as per agreement to use the application.

Couple that with other apps, like graphics drivers and others and you’ll have a whole  slew of telemetry services running in the background.

This will negatively affect computer performance.

I mentioned in my previous post that I occasionally help other users – local and remote -who complain about how slow their computer has become.Almost in variably I find that this is due to the sheer number of active processes,many of them not needed to always be active or otherwise not needed at all for proper operation.Many often are for so-called ” user experience”  purposes..

I didn’t post here to “evangelize”- I only posted to make people aware of the background

of telemetry and how it can impact computer use and/or privacy.

I don’t disagree with your view that part of the telemetry is used for threat analysis.

I can’t go any further with this – in this tread. This subject – Telemetry -needs  a  separate thread or Topic  –  Pros and Cons

Same for AV and Anti-malware  programs – False positives etc.

The sky is the limit and I don’t  have the time to go into lengthy discussions.

People will do wat they want to do.Some will agree, some will vehemently oppose my views or advice and for others, it comes down to “I’ve made up my mind, don’t confuse me with the facts” …..

It’s all equal to me. I have no control over what people will do nor do I want to..

We all have to live with our decisions..

Peter…………

1 user thanked author for this post.

jburk07

Reply | Quote

RcsnhCwucz wrote:

I got this via a different Privacy Policy  

where it states this at the very end of the Policy – (emphasis is mine)

Bitdefender participates in the Adobe Marketing Cloud Device Cooperative to better understand how you use certain websites and apps of ours across the various devices you use, and to deliver tailored experiences.

That privacy policy relates to accessing the BitDefender website, not in using their AV products…

Privacy Policy for Bitdefender websites
Version 3.0, adopted on 10.05.2018
The document explains the personal data we collect, how and where we may use it, how we protect it, who has access to it, with whom we share it, and how you may correct it.

This privacy policy applies to the personal data collected by all websites or Internet accounts managed by Bitdefender. If you use our products and services, check our specific privacy policies if you use Home or Business solutions.

The link I posted above is for their products/services, not their website. I believe it could be very alarming to people to think their AV product is taking the same information as their browsing habits’ data. The browsing privacy policy also refers to Google being supplied such data (as well as Adobe)- this is fairly normal practice.

2.2. Traffic data – when a user visits a website, it automatically reveals certain information, such as the IP address, date and time of the visit or the referral website that sent you to Bitdefender websites. Bitdefender, like any other website manager, may record this kind of information for a limited period of time. We also use other external services of traffic analysis, such as Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics.

2 users thanked author for this post.

jburk07, JohnW

Reply | Quote

I’ve used Bitdefender Internet Security for probably the last 5 years.  It’s consistently been one of the best security products on both AV-Test and AV-Comparatives, where it’s equal to or better than other certified internet security software.  I also have a Bitdefender Box 1, although wasn’t able to use it with AT&T Uverse internet with the 5031NV router used by Uverse.  The Bitdefender Box 2 works with Uverse.  The Bitdefender interface has evolved over the years.  I’ve seen Bitdefender ads a number of times over the past couple of years.

2 users thanked author for this post.

jburk07, dgreen

Reply | Quote

I believe that the OP was only asking about the Bitdefender Free version.

Within the context of the OP’s question, I would say that just about anything would be better than MSE, and I wouldn’t hesitate to replace that. It has always scored relatively poorly on 3rd party AV protection tests, and it doesn’t have the security enhancements that Windows Defender gained with Windows 10.

There are other free solutions for Windows 7, but none as simple to install and get up and running as Bitdefender Free. Most other free products come with additional modules and/or trials that may be unwanted, and they usually require careful study to perform a custom install, or require some level of modification later to get just the essentials you want. Most of them are full of premium product up-sells.

And bottom line is that most all products will monitor what you do and phone home. They use their servers to do deeper heuristic scans on powerful servers that would be impossible to do on your local PC. That is why most of the modern AV engines include some form of  “cloud based” intelligence. And if you have web protection turned on they are probably collecting and scanning every url link you access to keep you safe.

Windows 10 Pro 22H2

2 users thanked author for this post.

jburk07, dgreen

Reply | Quote

Thank you all for your responses.  I appreciate all your different opinions.

Microfix  Your posts is what I wanted to know,
exactly about installing Bitdefender. 
The added paragraph at the end of your post I didn’t see until today.

“I’d suggest, downloading the online installer executable, then go offline, uninstall MSE, restart, connect online and run the bitdefender free executable and follow the prompts whilst installing”.

Reply | Quote

[dgreen]

I finally installed Bitdefender (free version) with d/l the online installer exe, go offline, uninstall MSE, go back online and ran the installer.
First, It took 1 hr. for it to install.  Is this normal?
Second, I did sign up for an account. It sent me an email for verification but I got this warning (I have thunderbird as email client for gmail).  I also got the warning to access this site!  Is this safe?
One of the warnings I’m assuming was my shortcut for MSE that was still present.
However, what is with the notice that my system restore was reset?????

• This reply was modified 5 years, 6 months ago by dgreen.

Reply | Quote

I have Bitdefender Free installed on many from Win7 to the latest Win10 Insider. It never took an hour (maybe it was doing an initial scan, check the log?). And I have never had it reset my System Restore or warn me about Thunderbird (my default mail client on all installations). Is your T-Bird up to date?
Dunno….

1 user thanked author for this post.

dgreen

Reply | Quote

dgreen, PKCano is on the money here..check log files, update T/bird if outdated.
I’ve never had issues like that with bitdefender free on Win7 Pro x64 nor different OSes for others.
Took around 15-25mins to install on an adsl/ fibre quicker (the last time I installed it)
System Restore reset..never encountered it sorry so can’t comment.
Let us know what the log files are.

Windows - commercial by definition and now function...

1 user thanked author for this post.

dgreen

Reply | Quote

I have installed Bit Defender Antivirus + literally hundreds of times.  It rarely takes more than 5 or 10 minutes.  That could vary a bit depending on your internet service.  The download file is near 500 meg and then you have to do an update.

Ensure that there are NO other protections installed BEFORE you begin.  

Rule:  NEVER have more than one protection system installed on a PC.  They will conflict and cause all manner of issues.

My other rule is NEVER allow a “security” system on your system.  ONLY AV.

I have 120 client Win7 systems running BD AV+ and have for 4 years now.  No other protective systems.  Not a single problem in all those years on all those computers.

CT

2 users thanked author for this post.

OscarCP, dgreen

Reply | Quote

[dgreen]

Ok, to answer some of your questions,
Microfix I don’t know how to go about checking “log files” you mention.
Canadian CT I do not have any other AV installed.  Only had MSE. I made sure Windows Defender was off. I did note that the install was 400+mb.
I’m DSL, maybe that’s why it took so long?
PKCano My Thunderbird is up to date.
Still don’t know about reseting my system restore???? I checked and I still have recent restore points except I noticed there was no restore point for Bitdefender.
Thunderbird and askwoody did not give me a warning this time.
Here is a snip it of BitDefender events and the the last 2 is the email I got saying I had to verify my email address.  Is this a scam email or legit?

• This reply was modified 5 years, 6 months ago by dgreen.
• This reply was modified 5 years, 6 months ago by dgreen.

Reply | Quote

Your “log” is what’s under the “Events” tab.

1 user thanked author for this post.

dgreen

Reply | Quote

dgreen is an AV and will conflict with BD. That is likely the cause of your problem. How fast is your DSL line?

CT

1 user thanked author for this post.

dgreen

Reply | Quote

I was just thinking, I have windows 7 64 bit.  Did Bitdefender have a different download for that bit?  I didn’t see any choice to download.

Reply | Quote

It’s all the same Win7 – Win10 for the Free version.

1 user thanked author for this post.

dgreen

Reply | Quote

No, there is no choice.

CT

1 user thanked author for this post.

dgreen

Reply | Quote

PKCano wrote:

Your “log” is what’s under the “Events” tab.

PKCano So does that log look ok?
What about the email to verify my email address, is that ok to do?
If all looks good, I may do a system restore point, then I will
give the Nov. updates a go later today or tomorrow.

Reply | Quote

You have to be logged in to the account to get updates. Yes, to the email address.

1 user thanked author for this post.

dgreen

Reply | Quote

[dgreen]

Canadian Tech wrote:

dgreen is an AV and will conflict with BD. That is likely the cause of your problem. How fast is your DSL line?

CanadianTech what did you mean “dgreen is an AV”???
Verizon is my DSL provider.  I think the speed is on the lower side.
Several years ago I signed up for a lifetime price for DSL of $19.99/month.
I’m sure they have me on the “lower” end of the speed.
They try to have me upgrade but the cost would change.
I’m not in any rush when I go online so slow doesn’t bother me.
I use to have dial up, so DSL works for me.
BTW when I tried Windows 10 a couple years ago, it was very slow.
I was told that DSL is not good with Windows 10.
Thanks for all your responses, I appreciate them.

• This reply was modified 5 years, 6 months ago by dgreen.

Reply | Quote

Sorry about that typo. What I intended to say is that MSE is an AV.

If you accept very low internet speeds, you need to be prepared to accept very long download times. You probably could buy a retail copy and get it on a CD to save that. Realize that you are in the minority and most expect a much higher speed than you are likely accepting.

In my city, most of my clients have a cable connection and experience a minimum of 30 mbps. The local cable provider has no offer slower than 100 mbps. I suspect you are using a classical twisted pair connection which maxes out at about 2.4 mbps

CT

Reply | Quote

Since installing Bitdefender Free, it takes quite a bit longer to establish a WiFi internet connection (2+minutes). The little blueish icon in the system tray doesn’t disappear until the BD icon comes on. I used to have Panda Free (ads got a bit too aggressive) and that took seconds. Will this sort itself out as BD gets used to my system? (Win7 64-bit Group A )

M

Reply | Quote

I have seen that before, and eventually it fixed itself. time probably depends on system resources and possibly how fast your internet service is. I suspect it is BD doing some checks before it allows a complete startup.

CT

Reply | Quote

Thanks

I have a laptop with an Intel Core i5-2520M 2.5Ghz with 4GB RAM Win7 64bit Group A. Wifi internet speed ~18 Mbps. With BD scoring high on lightness and performance, I think my specs (while obviously not great) should be good enough.

I’ve been timing the startup 3 times now and it’s not looking pretty (in order, from the moment the blue icon appears):

-2m53s
-3m18s
-4m07s

I’ll stick with it for bit longer though

Reply | Quote

My main issue with BitDefender Free is the thing it likes to push as a strength–its silent nature and lack of settings. I found I could not override it when it would have false positives (often software that would potentially be unwanted but I actually intentionally downloaded them). Also, the last time I tried it to see if it had gotten better, it could never finish installing–and this was on a fresh install.

I’m currently trying Avira, which still gives me all those options. It does have those nags, so I’m also trying out that program that is supposed to kill them before I see them.

I considered Kaspersky, which also tested high, but their attempt to force me to use their website to manage my local settings made me question their security. A login and password is a single point of failure. If it ever gets compromised, then my security could be disabled without my knowledge.

Avira has this feature, but it allows me to leave it turned off. Kaspersky used to allow this with a registry hack, but it seems to no longer work.

I’ve heard some things about AVG and Avast both being part of a single untrustworthy company. And the rest of the free options didn’t do as well as Avira in testing.

Reply | Quote