Microsoft blinks: MS Security Essentials will be supported after Win7 hits end-of-life next month

Topic

New Reply

At least, that was the promise. Nobody’s fixed the official documentation yet. Details coming in Computerworld Woody on Windows.
[See the full post at: Microsoft blinks: MS Security Essentials will be supported after Win7 hits end-of-life next month]

3 users thanked author for this post.

AJNorth, Morty, abbodi86

Reply | Quote

Replies

We’ll see about that…
Back in the day when Win2003 went out of support the SCEP version of that time (v4.7 I think) was time-bombed to stop itself. MS’s reasoning was that it was pointless to run AV on an unsupported OS, as there’s plenty of ways to compromise the system.
Well, can’t deny an unsupported OS is risky, but I did end up reverting SCEP to v4.3, which didn’t have the time-bomb ‘feature’ yet.

1 user thanked author for this post.

woody

Reply | Quote

I hear ya. This is what I wrote last week:

Back when Windows XP was about to hit end-of-life on April 8, 2014, we were treated to a deluge of dire warnings, saying that MSE updates would die on the same date that XP hit the skids.

That didn’t happen.

In fact, Microsoft kept releasing MSE signature files for XP until the last one appeared 15 months later, on July 14, 2015. Microsoft blocked downloading MSE on XP machines on April 8, 2014 — you had to jump through some hoops to install MSE on XP machines after that — but those with MSE installed on WinXP machines got 15 months of official, free updates, whether they paid for extended support on XP or not.

I was expecting a replay of the XP scenario. (Still do, frankly.)

Reply | Quote

[EP]

but then MSE definition updates released sometime in early 2017 started to block both XP AND Vista users, even when Vista support was to end on April 2017.

the MSE app started to “nag” Vista users in January 2017 when they applied the MSE definition files back then – proof of that in this Vista forum thread, woody (yup Vista users got the “rude awakening” for MSE on Vista in early 2017 before Vista was to go EOL):

https://www.vistax64.com/threads/microsoft-security-essentials-begins-to-nag-on-january-10.304847/

I don’t see something similar to that for MSE on Win7…yet

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

Reply | Quote

So I can now possibly reinstall MSE on 3 of my laptops. And I removed MSE from those laptops because of a black screen after restart issue when Windows 7/stand alone installer package was attempting to apply a Win 7 SO  update on one laptop.  And the error logs pointed to MSE being the issue.

Will this also include being able to Install MSE on windows 7 after Jan 2020 just in case the MSE installation  gets to corrupted and uninstalling and reinstalling can possibly fix the corruption. If MS does not allow a fresh install of MSE to fix corruption issues then that may be problematic as MSE can sometimes become corrupted.

MSE really needs a fix/repair installation option especially if a new engine update is included along with the virus/other definition updates. I have had problems in the past with MSE and uninstalling/reinstalling fixed things.

Reply | Quote

Save the installer to external storage. All you’ll need then is an update.

1 user thanked author for this post.

Morty

Reply | Quote

…especially if a new engine update is included along with the virus/other definition updates. …

Sorry, but according to what was posted yesterday during the discussion on Microsoft’s site, they won’t offer any more engine updates to the MSE product, only signature updates:

Will Microsoft Security Essentials continue to protect my PC after end of support?

Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) will continue to receive signature updates after January 14, 2020. However, the MSE platform will no longer be updated.

I added the emphasis above with the italics and bolded italics.

I take the above statement to mean that only signature updates will happen, no more engine updates, as I believe that’s a part of the actual platform.

That response comes directly from the following support page about MSE:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4057281/windows-7-support-will-end-on-january-14-2020

Please note that, according to the date on the bottom of that page, it was last updated this past Monday the 16th of December. That’s probably when MS changed their tune about support for MSE.

To read the entire, ongoing (yep, it’s still going as of this writing!) exchange between @woody and the ‘Softies, head on over to the following link, and read the entire exchange top to bottom:

https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/Windows-AMA/Microsoft-Security-Essentials-availability-after-Win7-EOL/m-p/1070283

R/

Bob99

1 user thanked author for this post.

woody

Reply | Quote

But what if there is a security issue and MS has, in the past few years, even issued XP fixes for some serious vulnerabilities. So I do not expect any further MSE engine updates and just the virus definitions  are sufficient.

It’s not like I’m planning to remain on 7 as one Laptop that I own, that’s running Windows 7 Pro via pro version downgrade rights, is actually Licensed for Windows 8 Pro.  So that’s getting 8 installed(Upgraded to 8.1 and relevant KBs installed). One more laptop that’s also running a quad core Intel i7 CPU is going to get 8.1 installed from a retail OEM license(8.1 Pro) purchased license Key.

It’s some Linux OS distro for the 2, Dual Core Intel i series CPU based laptops and I just want MSE running on them until I get Linux up and running on those 2 laptops. So it really will be nice to have MSE virus definition updates available while I’ll be taking some months after Jan 2020 to get a Linux OS distro/Desktop Environment that I’m comfortable with on the 2 oldest laptops.

Reply | Quote

Microsoft has now changed MS support article 4527878 [Wed. afternoon Dec. 18], reflecting that MSE updates will continue on after Jan. 14, 2020:

Will Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) continue to protect my computer after the end of support?

Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) will continue to receive signature updates after January 14, 2020. However, the MSE platform will no longer be updated.

MSE definition/signature updates will continue on after the Win7 EOL date but MSE app/program updates will not (latest version of MSE is v4.10.209) – no new versions of MSE will be released for Win7 after that

3 users thanked author for this post.

abbodi86, woody, b

Reply | Quote

I’m not actually sure I want to use MSE, though. If I’m gonna go without updates (except the free ones by 0patch), then I would want a pretty strong AV solution, and MSE always tends to not be as good at prevention and protection than many other free AV solutions. The main reason I used it was that it seems to be faster.

I had thought it was slowing my computer down, but I think it may have been the recent botched Chrome update, where they actually did a bad commit that causes various problems, like windows not appearing. I’m hoping that, between removing the extra garbage with Avira and updating Chrome, all the noticeable slowdowns have been worked out.

Still, it would be nice to know I could fall back to MSE if necessary. Now if only they’ll pick a single, consistent position.

Reply | Quote

MS may have blinked, but it was with one eye, and it’s fingers crossed behind it’s back, while 0patch moved sideways.

I’ve been reading this turgid corporate glockenspiel since this thread has started, and I’m amazed at Woody’s and Susan’s tenacity in swimming through it. You guys are incredible. It must be like fighting a 500-lb lump of Jell-o.

I mean, what’s the use of having virus definitions without security updates?  Zendesk.com (are they the “community help” for 0patch free?)  clearly states on their site a/o yesterday:

“Is 0patch FREE a suitable tool for keeping Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 reasonably secure after EOS?

“No. 0patch FREE will continue to be available (conditions apply, see this article) and we’ll continue to add select micropatches to the FREE plan (see this article) but we need to emphasize that 0patch FREE is by no means a suitable tool for keeping Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 reasonably secure after their EOS.”

(https://0patch.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360010895840-Is-0patch-FREE-a-suitable-tool-for-keeping-Windows-7-and-Windows-Server-2008-reasonably-secure-after-EOS-)

So much for getting out of this with your wallet intact. SOMEONE is going to grab this revenue stream, even if it means putting down your own free product.

So it looks, right now, for me, (since everything out there in corporate fine-print land is subject to change every 4 hours) either:

1. Cough up 60-odd bucks for an Extended Security Updates, or

2. Get a free AV and get a $27 0patch subscription…the free one doesn’t look like it’s worth beans, considering the above remark from 0Patch at Zendesk.com. (https://www.0patch.com/pricing.html)

In the meantime, I’ll just submerge again while all the shooting is going on and “up periscope” every once in a while to see what develops.

Am REALLY looking for that article from Susan and the “Royal Road” to an ESU for “us plain folks,” like Woody said.

… confusing!

Win7 Pro SP1 64-bit, Dell Latitude E6330 ("The Tank"), Intel CORE i5 "Ivy Bridge", 12GB RAM, Group "0Patch", Multiple Air-Gapped backup drives in different locations. Linux Mint Newbie
--
"The more kinks you put in the plumbing, the easier it is to stop up the pipes." -Scotty

Reply | Quote

As I wrote previously, I provide support for users that live far away, and I only get to visit them occasionally. When I first heard that Micro$oft would stop updating Security Essentials, I decided to switch everyone to BitDefender. Then I’m covered either way—if M$ extends SE or if they don’t. BitDefender seems to be working every bit as well as SE anyway. Windows 7 is working well now, and it’s stable, and I’d like to keep it that way for the interim. I will no doubt upgrade to Windows 10 eventually; it’s only a matter of when.

1 user thanked author for this post.

Pierre77

Reply | Quote

I’ve commented on my TV Win7 PC before.  I run Windows Media Center that drives a cable card channel tuner.  I cannot update this machine to Win10 as MSFT stopped supporting the program some time ago.  They have already nagged me that at EOL, they won’t be providing channel listings but I moved on a while back and am not reliant.  I will run this PC as long as possible as it is much less expensive then TIVO or a Verizon Box.  The only web work this PC ever does is streaming of Netflix, Amazon Prime, ESPN+ and BleacherReportLive (sports).  It’s doubtful that I am exposed to any threats from these sites and Security Essentials is all I’ve ever needed.  If all they do is update the that is OK.  One wonders how long third party AV solutions will support Win7.

Reply | Quote

This article on BleepingComputer seems to imply that MSE definition updates will be available to ESU subscribers only.

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/microsoft/microsoft-security-essentials-to-get-updates-after-windows-7-eos/

Reply | Quote

“Furthermore, it is not uncommon for vulnerabilities or bypass methods to be discovered in antivirus software. Therefore, even if you are willing to risk being affected by new vulnerabilities in Windows 7, it is still possible that malware distributors will come up with methods that bypass detections in Microsoft Security Essentials.

If you are running Windows 7, it is strongly suggested you upgrade your computer to Windows 10…”

—

Bleeping Computer has always been a mixed bag for me, and I’ve been reading it for years. Their motto seems to be “Get something written every day, 7 days a week, and be first and fast; accuracy comes next.” They’ve had to print a number of clarifications recently as well.

That, and given the “Upgrade to Win 10” drumbeat…I always double check anything I read on there. It’s a good site; it’s just not always through and accurate, in my experience.

Reply | Quote

anonymous wrote:

This article on BleepingComputer seems to imply that MSE definition updates will be available to ESU subscribers only.

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/microsoft/microsoft-security-essentials-to-get-updates-after-windows-7-eos/

This article seems to contradict a previous posting. Digging further it seems M$ uses the same updates for Defender, MSE and Fortinet.

https://www.ghacks.net/2019/12/19/windows-7-microsoft-security-essentials-will-receive-definition-updates-after-support-end/

So who do we believe?

1 user thanked author for this post.

AJNorth

Reply | Quote

This article seems to contradict a previous posting. Digging further it seems M$ uses the same updates for Defender, MSE and Fortinet. https://www.ghacks.net/2019/12/19/windows-7-microsoft-security-essentials-will-receive-definition-updates-after-support-end/ So who do we believe?

The link you cited mentions nothing of Defender or Fortinet.

Fortinet is not owned by or associated with Microsoft.

Reply | Quote

You mean nobody asked whether definition updates will continue for the antispyware version of Windows Defender? (Not that I would ever suggest relying on that old piece of junk, which was introduced with Windows Vista.)

Microsoft now says “the MSE platform will no longer be updated.” To me at least, the term “support” as it relates to antivirus software denotes program updates – not just definitions. For example, I use Avast 18.8 on an old PC running Vista, and of course I can get definition updates – but I can’t install any 19.x version because Avast ended support for Vista and XP a year ago. In the case of MSE, there hasn’t actually been a program update for three years: the still-current MSE 4.10.209.0 installer was signed November 15, 2016. I would therefore say that MSE is no longer supported, i.e. abandonware; and that the title of this thread (MS Security Essentials will be supported…) is at best “an obfuscating piece of bafflegab, subject to whimsical interpretation.”

Meanwhile, every third-party antivirus in the world continues to support Windows 7, at least for the time being.

Reply | Quote