Microsoft Security Essentials begins to nag on January 10

[townsbg]

I also found this...
1. Run Task Manager (Ctrl-Shift-Esc)
2. Go to Processes tab
3. End msseces.exe process
4. Start Registry Editor (Start -> Run -> regedit.exe)
5. Open HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Microsoft Antimalware hive
6. Right click on it and modify permissions to have Full Control right
7. Change EndOfLife value from 2 to 0
8. Change back permissions
9. Start Microsoft Essentials

I found that registry key and also changed it and then rebooted. I got that nag immediately upon logging in so I removed MSE. Funny thing is I don't think that I even had the latest version since WU isn't working for me. It must have updated in the background. Thank you M$ for once again finding a way to nag us into updating to 10. I suppose that we can expect the same when 7 reaches EOL. Now I could understand one alert but to do so every time I reboot? Unacceptable.

 

[Vistaar]

Disable the Security Essentials End-of-Life Warning on Windows XP - Super User

Failure

For all I know, I might have been the first to attempt that old seven-step fix running Vista and with the current MSE 4.10.209.0 - and not unexpectedly, it failed. Upon logging in after a restart, I soon saw this:



The problem was a BEX involving the file borrowed from MSE 4.4 per the instructions:

Problem Event Name: BEX
Application Name: msseces2.exe
Application Version: 4.4.304.0
Application Timestamp: 5268459c
Fault Module Name: StackHash_fd00
Fault Module Version: 0.0.0.0
Fault Module Timestamp: 00000000
Exception Offset: 00000000
Exception Code: c0000005
Exception Data: 00000008
OS Version: 6.0.6002.2.2.0.768.3
Locale ID: 1033

After taking the screenshot, I found that I could open MSE via the Start menu - and the UI was still nagging.

Even if this particular fix could be made to work on an older MSE version, it must be emphasized that a non-nagging UI wouldn't do us any good whenever Microsoft ends support for real. They gave MSE users running XP a grace period much longer than announced, but they have not announced a grace period for Vista that I know of...

Edit: The fix also failed with MSE 4.8.204.0, and I wouldn't consider downgrading any further than that.

 

[shahidkhan]

Hi abritcotier, no you can not. You may however use Windows defender. It is the recommended version by microsoft security essentials and the two products share the same components, to signature files. I hope it helps How to: Uninstall Security Essentials in Windows 10

 

[townsbg]

Hi abritcotier, no you can not. You may however use Windows defender. It is the recommended version by microsoft security essentials and the two products share the same components, to signature files. I hope it helps How to: Uninstall Security Essentials in Windows 10

No, they are not the same. Defender on Vista is just anti-syware. MSE is anti-virus.

 

[Cave_Johnson]

I don't know if this thread is still being watched but if you still need an anti-virus, and like something like MSE, I'd recommend SecureAPlus (Link: Free Cloud Antivirus & Application Control for PC | SecureAPlus). It uses many anti-virus engines including Microsoft's MSE engine which is up to date, the only thing is that it is a cloud-based anti-virus which is fine if you're connected to the internet but I'd recommend that you keep an emergency av just in case. That comes to my next point, they actually recommend that you install their anti-virus alongside with your anti-virus you have installed. Anyways, I hope I helped you and hopefully, you can still enjoy Vista in 2018.

 

[townsbg]

I don't know if this thread is still being watched but if you still need an anti-virus, and like something like MSE, I'd recommend SecureAPlus (Link: Free Cloud Antivirus & Application Control for PC | SecureAPlus). It uses many anti-virus engines including Microsoft's MSE engine which is up to date, the only thing is that it is a cloud-based anti-virus which is fine if you're connected to the internet but I'd recommend that you keep an emergency av just in case. That comes to my next point, they actually recommend that you install their anti-virus alongside with your anti-virus you have installed. Anyways, I hope I helped you and hopefully, you can still enjoy Vista in 2018.

That doesn't mean that your exisiting AVS will play well with their AVS. As for me I'm no longer on Vista. I'm on 7. I have a Vista VM but I barely use it.

 

[Tatl]

Hello!
First of all thank you everyone for this site. It's very helpful.

I want to know if the Security Essentials is no longer available on the Vista.
My Windows Update was broken, and it fixed following the guide here: How to Fix Vista SP2 "Checking for Updates..." Hangs and Slow Windows Updates
Upon selecting some older updates to install first, I've also selected the last for Windows Defender and Security Essentials. When it was installing, the popup of "no longer supported" appeared for the first time on this machine. I've seen it before on a Windows XP machine and in a Windows Vista Home Basic 32 bit too. But not on this one until today. This is Vista 64 Ultimate upgrade from Business full install, using the discs.

Before this update it was possible to run it and the date of the definitions were updating somehow. I don't know if it was really working or just failing to update like the rest of the things because of the Windows Update hang thing. But now my only option is uninstalling it?

Thank you!

 

[Vistaar]

I want to know if the Security Essentials is no longer available on the Vista...Before this update it was possible to run it and the date of the definitions were updating somehow. I don't know if it was really working or just failing to update like the rest of the things because of the Windows Update hang thing. But now my only option is uninstalling it?

Hello Tatl. Microsoft Security Essentials no longer supports Windows Vista. Every MSE client version beginning with 4.5 included EOL features designed to disable MSE on Windows XP and Vista. I can only conclude that you were running MSE 4.4 or earlier before you found the solution for your Windows Update problem. MSE 4.4 would probably still work, but I wouldn't recommend searching for it because it is more than four years old and no longer available directly from Microsoft.

 

[Jody Thornton]

I have recently installed Vista back onto my machine (so I can spare my Windows 8 license for a new machine in the fall). I simply installed the v4.304.0 version of MSE, and it accepts updated definitions. So far so good.

 

[Vistaar]

I have recently installed Vista back onto my machine (so I can spare my Windows 8 license for a new machine in the fall). I simply installed the v4.304.0 version of MSE, and it accepts updated definitions. So far so good.

Here's a link showing MSE's testing history on Windows 7: AV-TEST – The Independent IT-Security Institute. MSE's protection scores were quite good by 2017; but if you scroll down to February 2014 when version 4.4 was tested, you will notice that they were pathetic. Granted, I cannot say to what extent this improvement was due to client changes versus better definition and engine updates; but you probably can't either Jody. It might be a good idea to compare your engine version with someone using the current MSE on Windows 7 (perhaps townsbg) to confirm that it is up to date.

Since the installer obviously came from a third party, did you upload it to Virus Total for analysis? (I believe the one I used for my failed experiments in January 2017 came from FileHippo, and it did pass muster at Virus Total.)

The Vista PC described in my specs still works, but it currently enjoys the most effective free protection of all: It is disconnected from the internet. If it was my only means of browsing, I would pay actual money for Norton at this point.

Edit: Uh oh, et tu Norton? See Norton Maintenance Mode for Windows XP and Windows Vista | Norton Community

 

[townsbg]

MSE about window.

 

[Jody Thornton]

I'll look tonight.

You know what was funny? I checked out townsbg's image capture, and then to close the window, I was repeatedly pressing the "OK" button in the image. I couldn't understand why the image window wouldn't close .....lol.....sigh! I'll be alright.

 

[Jody Thornton]

My definition versions and Engine versions are the same. Only the Anti Malware Client version is different.

 

[Cave_Johnson]

That doesn't mean that your exisiting AVS will play well with their AVS. As for me I'm no longer on Vista. I'm on 7. I have a Vista VM but I barely use it.

Sorry if i wasn't clear, they made it to be "compatible" with other anti-virus software to where it wouldn't trip their main AV and think it's a virus. IDK if it works cause i'm just using it standalone and it works really well. anyways i might try MSE on my vista machine alongside my SecureAPlus AV (The AV already uses MSE, so i don't know if it'll make a difference).

(Also what's the difference between MSE and windows Defender? I'm pretty sure Defender is just anti-malware, while MSE is both? IDK i'll watch some videos on YouTube comparing them.)

 

[townsbg]

(Also what's the difference between MSE and windows Defender? I'm pretty sure Defender is just anti-malware, while MSE is both? IDK i'll watch some videos on YouTube comparing them.)

Defender on Vista isn't even anti-malware. It is anti-spyware. MSE is anti-malware. Now it is full anti-malware on 8 and 10 but not on 7 or earlier. Maybe these articles will help.
https://lifehacker.com/the-difference-between-antivirus-and-anti-malware-and-1176942277
What's the difference between Anti-malware and antispyware?
Antivirus software - Wikipedia
Spyware - Wikipedia

Anti-spyware is very specific in what it targets.

 

[Cave_Johnson]

Defender on Vista isn't even anti-malware. It is anti-spyware. MSE is anti-malware. Now it is full anti-malware on 8 and 10 but not on 7 or earlier. Maybe these articles will help.
https://lifehacker.com/the-difference-between-antivirus-and-anti-malware-and-1176942277
What's the difference between Anti-malware and antispyware?
Antivirus software - Wikipedia
Spyware - Wikipedia

Anti-spyware is very specific in what it targets.

Thanks, I really couldn't find an eligible website that told me which was which (I know some of the differences between spyware and malware, by the way, not trying to be rude but I know quite a bit about computers. I mostly ignore the ranking system.) i'll try MSE on my Vista machine today for a little bit.