MS Security Essentials and XP

Stewart

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Apr 10, 2014, 4:20:50 AM4/10/14

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Yes, of course I'm aware that support for XP has ended. (The old
Windows updates continue to be available).

This all started around 18 months ago - I believe after a Windows
update for my XP-Pro. Googling, I find that many reported similar, but
I can't find a definitive solution.

When booting up, the little MSE symbol in the bottom right tray would
come up red with white x (not green) about one time in 6.
When opening MSE, it could NOT be started by pressing "Start now".

A restart would fix it - ie MSE operating and green symbol.

Now things are worse after end of XP support because the MSE sysmbol
is supposed to be red; so I have to manually open MSE to see if it is
active. Easy to forget to check.

I wonder if any of you good folks experienced similar and found a fix.

TIA.

Stewart

Ian Jackson

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Apr 15, 2014, 2:26:45 PM4/15/14

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In message <cckck9dci55jl44e7...@4ax.com>, Stewart
<Ste...@gmail.com> writes

As I understand it, there will be no further updates to the MSE virus
definitions, so it's probably a good time to drop it anyway (I have).
There are plenty other free AV programs available. The one I'm trying at
the moment is BitDefender (highly recommended by a friend) - but to
avoid getting a load of 'unwanted extras', make sure you get it from the
BitDefender website.
--
Ian

MC

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Apr 15, 2014, 3:21:08 PM4/15/14

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MSE for XP will continue to be supported with updates until July 2015

MC

Ian Jackson

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Apr 15, 2014, 4:29:50 PM4/15/14

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In message <xn0j0u5d...@reader80.eternal-september.org>, MC
<a...@any.any> writes

Is that so? However, I don't think I'll bother reinstate it, as I also
get the red symbol (which seems to be telling me it's disabled - even if
it isn't).
--
Ian

MC

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Apr 15, 2014, 5:39:30 PM4/15/14

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First of all, if it has not already happened, do not let Windows Update
install v4.5.xxx.x of MSE. This version will create a nag which will
remind you that support for XP is over and your notification icon will
remain orange. If you have 4.5 installed you can uninstall MSE and
reinstall the last nag free version which is 4.4.304.0, if you can find
it somewhere - it was on MS site a few days back but they may have now
removed it and replaced it with the newer version. It may still be on
some thirs party site though.

MC

Stewart

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Apr 16, 2014, 1:24:10 PM4/16/14

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Yes, MSE is supported until July 2015 with XP.
So I have 2 reasons for getting the red MSE symbol.
1. As MS intend, warning me XP is out of date.
2. This other intermittent reason where MSE does not come on at
boot-up. And cannot then be turned on - even manually.

I think I would like to remove and reinstall MSE (ideally 4.4.304 as
you recommend if it gets updates), but as I understand it MSE is not
available to new users with XP.

Ian Jackson

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Apr 16, 2014, 2:24:46 PM4/16/14

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In message <g3ftk9hdn6mp91nqq...@4ax.com>, Stewart
<Ste...@gmail.com> writes

I also found that the icon started sometimes not showing up in the
system tray - but when I tried to kick it off from its exe file, it said
it was already running.

>I think I would like to remove and reinstall MSE (ideally 4.4.304 as
>you recommend if it gets updates), but as I understand it MSE is not
>available to new users with XP.
>

It's not long since I did a virgin installation of XP Home, and also XP
Pro - and there were no problems. It still seems to be available (unless
it later won't let you do it - which is unlikely).
<http://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/download/details.aspx?id=5201>
(number 01). Make sure you download the correct version (for 32 or 64
bit)
--
Ian

Stewart

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Apr 18, 2014, 4:22:39 AM4/18/14

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You now CANNOT remove MSE, then reinstall. It wont let you stating
"your OS is out of date and MSE is unavailable for XP".
[Good job I did a back-up before trying.]

This business of being off at boot-up, then inpossible to start seems
to be happening lots more.
It was happening repeatedly this morning, so I restored a previous
registry.
MSE then started.
[Seems like the registry is getting corrupted.]

Ian Jackson

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Apr 18, 2014, 5:04:58 AM4/18/14

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In message <btn1l9hd3e7346uh3...@4ax.com>, Stewart

Yup! You're right. I've just tried it. What a thing to do!

However, it's no great loss. There are many alternative (and free) AV
programs. The only ones I've personally tried are Avast and BitDefender*
(which I'm using at the moment on this machine) - and also I manually
run Malwarebytes.
*Make sure you only download it from the BitDefender site.
--
Ian