Trend Micro raises a stink over Security Essentials via Windows Update

People are never happy. They whine and complain about viruses\malware on Windows machines. Microsoft makes leaps and strides in securing the desktop with UAC, great free antivirus and a security-first attitude, and people still complain. Such is life, I suppose.

Perhaps Trend Micro should spend time giving people a compelling reason to buy, rather than whining about an optional update.

They're just upset that Security Essentials is better. I see this as a great win for customers, and as a technician I can just go "Go into the optional windows updates"

Nope, not at all. It might be something similar to the IE case in the europe Windows release, but it's definitely a good move by Microsoft to do their part in helping the user from online threats. Plus it is not a forced installation (even without any security program), I don't really see any problem from this.

As John D said, Trend Micro should show why their product is better and worth to buy, rather than upset about this. Sorry to say, but they are 'third party' security software.

So... they are seriously annoyed about an optional security software being shown for those that already doesn't have a security software AND only for those that have already opt-in on getting free software from Microsoft (that is, is using what is known as "Microsoft Update" and not "Windows Update" anymore)?

So basically they are annoyed about people getting free software by not only opting in on one thing but actually on two? That's like being annoyed about people getting free software recommendation to opt-in on when installing another one of Apple's softwares. So... how come nobody else has gotten annoyed about Apple recommending Safari through their Update Manager?

Seriously, this is lame on so many levels. I could've understood if only Windows Update was required and the security package was a mandatory installation but now it actually forces you to opt-in on Microsoft Update AS WELL as manually going in on the Optional Downloads page. >_

This isn't nearly as bad as Apple forcing Safari and MobileMe on any user with Apple Software Update installed.

I see it as perfectly reasonable for Microsoft to do this.

And I don't see it the same as the IE case in Europe. It's not a mandatory install, you don't have to have an AV before you can get an AV (talk about your hen/egg problem), so I just don't see it.

One really has to wonder about how much marketing others expect Microsoft do for them.

Profit and competition among vendors is the worst aspect of Windows. If not for companies crying about how MS has done etc, MS would be able to provide a much better, more whole/complete OS package. But corporate interests always get in the way.

QQ some more Trend Micro. Your own products have gone downhill in the past few years.

So they throw up a page like IE has in Europe, with the prices of each product listed very prominently.

Somehow, I don't think that would go any better for Trend Micro.

I don't get the whole unfairness attitude. If you don't like Microsoft stuff, make your own operating system and get it installed on 90% of all computers. Until then, I'm smart enough to know what I want and where to get it if I want an alternative.

Apple tried to do the same thing by installing Safari with there software updater. I do like how MS has made it an optional download.

Trend Micro is trying to make some money back after all the product placement money it spent in the new CSI Game. Antivirus on a microscope...?

Well i can see both sides of this the easiest solution is to just add in other alternatives to the windows update recommended list.

I've always been amazed at what Microsoft considers an 'update', and just how much they decide to put in their operating system. Microsoft isn't just in the operating system business, they want to get everyone using every software package they've got.

To kill Netscape they gave away Internet Explorer; you/anyone can't compete with free. As well all know Internet Explorer is crap [the brand is basically dead and too far damaged to be viable], but Microsoft still pushes it.

But it's completely unfair to have Microsoft push an anti-virus package like MSE to the clients as an auto update.

I would suspect Trend Micro won't be the last to throw a 'hissy' about this push from Microsoft.

Let's watch how the pages turn on this book.

Until next time,
Larry Henry

I'm happy with the speed and performance of Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE.) I was a long time AVG user, but the latest forced version taxed my hardware beyond any reasonable degree and after finding my laptop booted more than a minute faster with MSE, I was so pleased I also put it on my desktop which now feels sprightly. The quick system scan rocks. There are weaknesses, but not having my operating system crippled by antivirus (AV) software is worth it.

On the point of availability in MS Update in a recommended category conditioned on no other product installed, I support MS. MS has a rightful stake in maintaining the integrity of it's operating system when no alternative is installed. Many people may find MSE and stick with it out of convenience, but this does not distort the market in any meaningful way because there remains a vibrant array of AV software.

This appears to be a case where the paid-only-version AV software companies are feeling heat from a significant and growing crop of free alternatives that are increasingly sophisticated, which actually has a converse effect of improving the AV market. However, AV software companies are also forcing system resource killing updates on users, so maybe Microsoft should file class action against competitors for all the taxing time and trouble and expense they cause users. I want my PC both protected and usable.

If Microsoft needs to remove Security Essentials, then Apple needs to remove iTunes.

Fair?

Trend Micro is just pissed off because their product is too darn expensive, and it's not significantly better than Microsoft Security Essentials so they are terrified. I applaud Microsoft for offering this to people who are unprotected, and for making it an optional install -- we all know that Apple would have opted everyone in because that's the kind of sketchy move they often make.

I have win 7 ultimate on both my laptop and desktop and they both have Panda Cloud Antivirus on them. MSE showed up on my laptop, which I installed, but not on my desktop for some reason.