MS Security Essentials – Win7 – Updates

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This morning I noticed that the MSE icon in the tray was orange instead of the normal green.
OPENed it.

Hmmm; a week old
Clicked on Update. It came back to the same condition. Repeat – same.
Internet Search.
Ended up at Techspot.
Downloaded the file, mpam-fe.exe, to where I keep some Microsoft downloads.
Tried normal Update again. Same status as previous.
Executed the downloaded update.
Now, back to expected green.

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If this happens again, there’s no need to go to Techspot to get a definition update, you can get the definition updates directly from Microsoft on the following page:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/wdsi/defenderupdates

The link will open in a new tab.

On that page, about half way to two thirds of the way down, there’s a list of all the current definition update offerings for Microsoft anti-malware suites:
The actual list is a bit longer than what shows up in the screenshot. The two offerings used with Windows 7 have the red marks next to them in the screenshot.

I hope this helps for next time, but hopefully you won’t have a next time. 

4 users thanked author for this post.

MalcolmP, Steve, ECWS, Fritz

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Thank you Bob.
‘Way back when I first installed MSE I used the direct links, but had forgotten about them.
But ‘what changed’? Why didn’t (doesn’t?) a normal automatic (or now manual) Update work? I’ll be watching this daily for awhile.

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Bob:

I have Windows 7 Pro, 64 bit. I got the same Security Essentials message today (3/5/2025) that PaulK got. It says my Definitions were both created on and last updated on Feb. 26, 2025, with that ominous message saying I was potentially unprotected.   Clicking on the  Update definitions box did nothing,

So I followed your recommendation and opened the …defenderupdates page in a new tab. I then found the Security Essentials entry, and clicked on the 64 bit version. But where do I save it to?

Harry Ward

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P.S.:

Not sure why my message says I am a Guest. I have a Plus Membership.

 

Harry

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Because you didn’t log in? If you are logged in you should see your name in the top right of the AskWoody page.

cheers, Paul

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I’m not Bob99 but download it to wherever you want. When I was running W7 I typically downloaded and saved it to my desktop. After it’s downloaded double click on the downloaded file icon. The file will execute and install the new definition updates. You’ll likely see a spinning circle, but you probably won’t see any indication of when the definition update is finished. Wait until you no longer see the spinning circle for maybe 10 or so seconds. Then check MSE and see if it tells you the definitions have been updated – it should give a date and time consistent with your double click.

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Harry: To answer your question “But where do I save it to?”.
As DrBonzo hints – there is no specific/sacred location. The Desktop is a fine location if one just wants a temporary cache: Save … execute … delete.
I prefer a structured hierarchy for my Downloads, and Documents, and etc’s.
Specifically in this instance, within
C:\Users\Public\Downloads\Microsoft\SecurityEssentials.
I use \Public\… for general stuff. And \Paul\… for personal.

2 users thanked author for this post.

Steve, Fritz

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I usually put updates in a temporary place – a place I don’t intend to leave them. Once you install the update, you no longer need the file(s). If you need to update again at a later date, you will probably need a later version and need to download it instead of reusing the earlier one.
So your desktop is a place you can easily find it, and delete it after the install.

1 user thanked author for this post.

Steve

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Would it be better to remove Security Essentials from Windows 7 and install Windows Defender?

Also have the same issue – however – in my case I have 3 Windows 7 Computer – one has been updating MSE normally – the other two have not.  One that updates is a Dell E6540 laptop, the one that does not is identical.   Also – the other one that does not update is a Dell Optiplex 7100.

Any suggestions (other than the daily manual update)?

 

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I have a Win 7 32-bit VM. It’s been my observation that Microsoft Security Essentials will update automatically if it’s been a while since it last updated. I haven’t analyzed it in detail but it takes several days without updates before the automatic updating kicks in. Certainly more than one or two.  Updates initiated through the user interface produce an error although it appears that the updates do download and install.  Repeating the process usually clears the error and the updated signatures are properly reflected in the user interface.

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I’m kind of surprised MS is still providing updates to MSE on Windows 7 . . .

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Microsoft initially said No. But then reconsidered.
See this article. See the inserted EDIT section. Interestingly, this is dated yesterday, March 4, so perhaps the automatic update was caught in a procedural gyration. We shall see.

Eric – Yes, I too have noticed that manually-initiated Updates result in a false-failed notice. A re-try always complete instantly with an Up-to-date response.

2 users thanked author for this post.

ECWS, opti1

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same here. 2 days ago had the scare on my win7pro-64 laptop. yesterday, went to majorgeeks to manually downloaded the av dfn. installed and tested ok.  now able to manually update from msft security essentials itself.

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I had the same problem other than there was no error message when I tried to manually update MSE. The progress bar got to about 20-25% of the way across, then it went back to the tab I started at to manually update it. I went to Major Geeks and found a link to the latest update, downloaded it, and it worked fine. That was several days ago and neither automatic nor manual updates have worked since then, so I got the latest from MG again and it updated MSE as before. IIRC, Microsoft won’t be providing any updates for Security Essentials for Win7 after October 2025, but until then, this workaround is doing just that.

 

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This EasyFix for TLS fixed it for me.

https://www.reddit.com/r/windows7/comments/1j4t2er/end_of_support/

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@Microfix has created a sticky post that describes just how to manually update Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) on Windows 7 these days with updates that are directly from Microsoft. Here’s the link to his post (it will open in a new tab):

https://www.askwoody.com/forums/topic/windows-7-mse-manual-updating/

 

2 users thanked author for this post.

Steve, SueW

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