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Update Microsoft Security Essentials definitions manually - no Windows Update required
While Microsoft Security Essentials has gotten mostly glowing reviews so far, some users are still hesitant to install it. One thing holding up some users is Windows Update.
You can't update your Security Essentials definitions automatically if the Windows Update service is disabled. And while keeping your system fully patched is a necessity, not everyone wants to allow Windows to do it for them - they prefer the going manual route.
You can't update your Security Essentials definitions automatically if the Windows Update service is disabled. And while keeping your system fully patched is a necessity, not everyone wants to allow Windows to do it for them - they prefer the going manual route.
Fortunately, Microsoft knows this. After all, Security Essentials is based on Forefront - their enterprise antivirus product. And in the enterprise it's common practice to install updates manually.
To that end, Security Essentials definitions can be downloaded as a standalone executable from Microsoft. They're available from the Malware Protection Center where you'll also find the current defs for Forefront and Defender.
Download the .exe yourself, run it, and your Security Essentials is up-to-date! Better yet, set up an app like Ketarin to handle scheduled downloads for you and save yourself a step.
Comments
14
Subscribe to commentsRobOct 20th 2009 4:16PM
If people don't use Windows Update, having AV software is somewhat pointless. Patching system level vulnerabilities is the single most important thing one can do to keep a system secure.
AltairAntaresOct 20th 2009 4:26PM
It's not that they don't install them, it's that they only install them when they're sure they won't mess anything up.
PeterOct 20th 2009 6:39PM
I'll install every patch automatically until it messes up my system. Which has happened to me exactly once in about the last 10 years. And that was a bad patch. Uninstalled it, waited for a new fix, reinstalled, everything was fine.
MS does a MUCH better job of testing patches than they have in the past. People who are afraid of patches messing up their systems are the same people who wait for Service Pack 1 to install a new OS. That's a Win NT mindset. It's just not like that any more.
r3loadedOct 20th 2009 4:29PM
It's a little daft to disable Windows Update tbh...
ScooterGOct 21st 2009 12:10AM
Cough *vista* cough
NonprofitTechOct 20th 2009 4:31PM
Wait a minute.... so, why wouldn't you just open up the software, go to the update tab, and click update?
NeoprimalOct 20th 2009 5:34PM
Was about to ask this question. After all, it IS manually updateable from within he product itself.
Chris0089Oct 20th 2009 7:49PM
Offline users, hello.
PeterOct 20th 2009 9:03PM
If the machine is offline, it's probably not going to be getting infected.
jrp.techOct 21st 2009 8:47AM
@Peter
'Twas my first thought too, but in this day of flashdrives and other portable media...
If it's light enough on resources and i can get updates to my offline users, it's prob'ly worth running (IMO).
Blessings,
-JRP
NeoprimalOct 21st 2009 12:30PM
@Chris0089
.....then Windows Update would be kind of moot, no?
blasztaOct 20th 2009 11:32PM
A little bit out of topic:
Is the software free for home user only or also free for commercial use? I can't find it on the EULA: http://www.microsoft.com/Security_Essentials/eula.aspx#mainNav
blasztaOct 21st 2009 12:01AM
Find it myself after reading it carefully:
Use. You may install and use any number of copies of the software on your devices in your household for use by people who reside there or for use in your home-based small business.
So it's free for SOHO too :-D
TaomynOct 21st 2009 2:19AM
So you set WU to inform you and not install - duh!