Is MicroSoft's Free Anti Virus Program Best?

[gatorfan5220]

I thought I may have read that somewhere.

I currently have McAfee with AOL and am unhappy with it.

If I get Microsofts Anti Virus program should I remove McAfee? I heard there may be problems there too.

[helix139]

I thought I may have read that somewhere.

I currently have McAfee with AOL and am unhappy with it.

If I get Microsofts Anti Virus program should I remove McAfee? I heard there may be problems there too.

run, don't walk to MSSE. It consumes far fewer resources while providing protection at least as good as any of its competitors.

Also, absolutely remove McAfee before installing MSSE. You should never have two anti-virus programs that run full-time installed at once as they can conflict with each other.

[gatorfan5220]

I do appreciate it, Helix. That was a very "Gator thing to do"!!

Got a link?

[exiledgator]

Remember, if you're getting a service off the internet for free, you're the product.

[JaxGator]

I've been using MSSE for several months along with Malware Bytes on 4 computers. No problems whatsoever with MSSE.

[helix139]

I do appreciate it, Helix. That was a very "Gator thing to do"!!

Got a link?

just google microsoft security essentials. it will be the first thing that comes up.

[HALLGATOR]

I have been using Avira for a couple of years now and like it. When my wife got a new laptop and the thirty day free trial of Norton expired I put MSSE on her computer. Overall I think I like MSSE better and just have not gotten around to switching my computer off Avira. In my book Security Essentials is an excellent program.

[G8RBrave]

IMO, Antivirus programs are not one of those "you get what you pay for" type things. I've had far more success with programs like Avira, Avast, AVG and MSSE than with any of the Nortons or McAfee's. I do like Kaspersky though.

Microsoft Security Essentials is a very good program, and also importantly - light on resources. Go for it. I would recommend googling Revo Uninstaller and using it to uninstall McAfee before installing MSSE though. Revo will get all of the leftover files and registry keys that the "built in" uninstaller is bound to leave behind.

[HALLGATOR]

Revo is a great program to have. It has cleared off remnants of programs I could not get rid of.

[NortelGator]

<FYI - I'm a Microsoft employee>

You can find the link to the download for Microsoft Security Essentials here: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/products/security-essentials.

Glad to hear that many on here like MSE! There is a new beta available as well if you want to try that out. The link to it is on the same page. Thanks!

[gatorfan5220]

I remember hearing someone warning me about the pitfalls of deleting McAfee. It's been entrenched in my system for 4 years now.

Should I delete before or after downloading SE and when I do so...what is best way to get rid of McAfee??

[helix139]

Download msse, uninstall McAfee, then install msse

[HALLGATOR]

I remember hearing someone warning me about the pitfalls of deleting McAfee. It's been entrenched in my system for 4 years now.

Should I delete before or after downloading SE and when I do so...what is best way to get rid of McAfee??

The Revo program that Brave wrote about is a good choice however if for some reason a person can't use it or doesn't want to use it then I have posted a link to an ESET site that has a list of uninstallers for various A/Vs and is reported to be kept current.

For general info to anyone who may be reading this, the response helix gave about removing one antivirus before installing another is a good rule to follow for any A/V installation and removal.

www.techsupportforum.com/forums/redirect-to/?redirect=http%3A%2F%2Fkb.eset.com%2Fesetkb%2Finde x%3Fpage%3Dcontent%26id%3DSOLN146

[demosthenes]

I've been using Avast for a while now. It seems to work great. I'd be curious to see how much MSSE and Avast draw off my resources. If there is a large enough gap I could be persuaded to switch to MSSE.

[gatorfan5220]

Hey, I deleted McAfee with no problem and downloaded the Security Essentials. Very happy about it.

I've heard all too many sob stories of how McAfee also slows down a puter.

Thanks everyone for the assistance. It's appreciated.

[pcolagator]

practically speaking, paying for AV software is a waste of money.

[gatormoe1]

I'd rather have a virus than have McAfee on my computer.

[dnigels]

It was made mention of Malware Bytes. When i went to download it I could only choose the trial version (100 errors fixed, one time). How do I get the full version (free)? P.S. scan said I had 1400 errors on my desktop computer.

[HALLGATOR]

Where did you download from? The free version should be just that...free. I'm not familiar with a trial version.

[gatormoe1]

Trial version is the full version for a trial period, after it's done you revert to free or pay. Free version doesn't have real time protection (could be wrong but thats usually how antivirus/malware/ad etc.. works).

[HALLGATOR]

If you have a regular AV then you would not need nor want MalwareBytes with real-time protection. The free version is fine, just keep it updated on a regular basis and run periodic scans with it. Or if an infection is suspected run it then.

[dnigels]

Where did you download from? The free version should be just that...free. I'm not familiar with a trial version.

download.com

[dnigels]

If you have a regular AV then you would not need nor want MalwareBytes with real-time protection. The free version is fine, just keep it updated on a regular basis and run periodic scans with it. Or if an infection is suspected run it then.

I have a worm. I ran a scan and it indictates 1400 errors, it fixed 100, thats it.

[HALLGATOR]

I have a worm. I ran a scan and it indictates 1400 errors, it fixed 100, thats it.

I'm guessing that when you say "it" you mean MalwareBytes. Is that correct? If it is then why don't you click on the tab that says "Logs" and then open up the last one if there is multiple logs. From there copy and post it so we can take a look.

[Gator_Tom66]

IMO, Antivirus programs are not one of those "you get what you pay for" type things. I've had far more success with programs like Avira, Avast, AVG and MSSE than with any of the Nortons or McAfee's. I do like Kaspersky though.

Microsoft Security Essentials is a very good program, and also importantly - light on resources. Go for it. I would recommend googling Revo Uninstaller and using it to uninstall McAfee before installing MSSE though. Revo will get all of the leftover files and registry keys that the "built in" uninstaller is bound to leave behind.


I agree. I got rid of McAfee and went to MSSE. I haven't had any problems, even with a teenager in the house.