Today, I downloaded, updated, configured and installed Microsoft’s new, free security product: Microsoft Security Essentials. It provides a significant upgrade in protection and usability over their previous offerings. In fact, the setup and administration is extremely straight forward. From the reviews and tests that I’ve read, it appears to protect PCs (Windows XP, Vista, and Windows 7) quite well and doesn’t slow the computer down by being bloated like so many other security products on the market.
I will be testing it out over the next month or so and report back my findings, but for now, I continue to recommend AVG and Avast. If you are already using either of those products, stay with them. If you are using almost anything else, you can certainly give your computer a performance boost by trying this product without compromising your system’s security.
Here’s how to install and use Microsoft Security Essentials:
Watch my video below to see these steps and some extra settings tweaks as well.
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I think that a lot of the other AV companies are going to be in a little trouble now with MS’s new answer to virus and malware problems.
I personally use avast! but I think that new computer users may just say that Security Essentials is “just good enough” and that there is no reason to go out and purchase or download a different anti-virus suite.
MS is making it very easy for anyone to install and protect their computer with this software; other AV companies are going to have to change their gameplan a little to cater to the normal consumer.
Thanks for the tip!
You are welcome. Yes, users need and want free. So far, the MSE looks pretty good, but unfortunately too many users still think easy is buying bloated software from under-educated sales people at large electronic stores.
I am a HUGE fan of Avast as well…very fast and thorough protection.
Hi Rick,
You mentioned to remove any anti virus before installing Security Essentials.I have Norton 2010 on my Win 7 now,can I reinstall Norton after installing MSE,or would that cause a conflict?
Regards,Ken Laumann
DO NOT install more than one antivirus product on your system. The Microsoft Security Essentials is a REPLACEMENT for any other system. If you like your Norton, just keep it and don’t install any other software. Thanks for the comment!
Rick, I installed Microsoft essentials on my old dell Windows XP 3 days ago, tdday I found out my address book had been compromised sending out a short message to each person. I went to check my old XP and the M/S security program was not running-hence the breakin. I am
currently restarting the program but how do I keep it from happening again? Wendy
Please read (and pass on) this article regarding fake security ads, proper searching of the web, etc: http://helpmerick.com/more-on-fake-security-ads-and-scareware.htm
Have you updated anti virus recommendations for Windows 8?
Yes, in one of my Windows 8 videos I mention that Windows 8 ships with Microsoft Security Essentials (now named Windows Defender). Just remove any trial software from your new system, and then enable Windows Defender from the “Action Center” (little white flag by your clock on the desktop screen). Thanks!