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Microsoft security essentials destroys windows 7

supaidaaman

Senior member
After 2 clean windows 7 64bit installs i figured out what was trashing my pc. It was microsft security essentials.

When it is on:
Cannot defrag disks
Cannot uninstall programs
Cannot open start menu
Cannot open/empy recyling bin
Disables all startup programs (asus probe)
Makes things a living hell.

Anyone experience this or recommend the next best free anti virus?

Everything installed on my new rig
i7 970
12gb
asus p658d-e
150gb raptor
 
Another with no MS Security Essentials problems. I have installed it on a dozen or so machines with no issues to speak of.
 
You fail at MSE.
Do you have any other drives attached when you are installing?
Made sure all drivers are current before installing MSE? Not overclocking. Not trying the Windows Easy Transfer Wizard and getting the account boned. Your issues sound more like a memory problem or the user account is corrupt.

I would install with just 1 memory stick and see how far you get. Then add a 2nd, ect until it acts up again, because honestly, there is not a better free a/v solution out there. Hell there really isn't a better paid solution either.
 
User error? Nope. Micrsoft fails at their own software conflicts.

I disabled windows defender and MSE works just fine now. I can finally open my recycling bin and defrag...as well as fixing all the other crap.

You would think someone would test that and MSE would disable windows defender before running an install....
 
User error? Nope. Micrsoft fails at their own software conflicts.

I disabled windows defender and MSE works just fine now. I can finally open my recycling bin and defrag...as well as fixing all the other crap.

You would think someone would test that and MSE would disable windows defender before running an install....

That's one of the first things that MSE does when it installs, it disables Windows Defender. Did you mistakenly re-enable it yourself?
 
I did 3 clean installs and the third time i touched nothing but the reset button for windows updates...unless the reset button turns on windows defender... then no, i did not enable it myself.
 
I've done at least 10 installs of MSE on various systems. Never had any issues.

It's not MSE, at least not alone. It might be MSE plus something else.
 
Unfortunately I agree with everyone else. I've installed MSE on 50+ computers with various software/hardware configurations all running Windows 7 and some even Vista.
And I've heard of no such issues caused by it.
 
I did 3 clean installs and the third time i touched nothing but the reset button for windows updates...unless the reset button turns on windows defender... then no, i did not enable it myself.

So. What you are saying is that out of all users Microsoft picked only you to effect in this way.

Hmmm.
 
MSE running on XP, Vista and 7 all without issue. In fact I switched from AVG to MSE and never been happier.

Couple of things come to mind. Your source files are compromised in some way. Maybe a a program you downloaded might be infected.

Another issue is a boot sector virus? When you reinstall are you formating first?

The other obvious choice is your hardware is flaky. If you have already tested the RAM, try testing the hard drive for any issues.

Almost forgot to mention: I read a post on these forums about a "Router virus" Sounds a bit far fetched. But just to rule out any kind of packet corruption of any kind, try swapping that out as well or running without it during installs and see if it helps.

Cheers,
 
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I've seen one instance recently where installing MSE did not disable Windows Defender, not sure why but I had to manually turn it off.
 
I don't think it is the MSE issue, must be some of your computer system issue. Infact microsoft security essentials is the best and effective application that protects your system in various ways. Most of the large businesses prefer MSE, and however if you think its the MSE, you can simply open a ticket at the microsoft support dept if you are a licenced product owner.
 
Doubtful it is MSE. Next time something like this occurs post some of the system logs from event viewer. It might point to the issue.
 
I've done plenty of MSE installs and I have seen and the only issue I've run into is where MSE can't install even if previous anti-virus has been un-installed (i.e. Regedit and deleting files from ProgramFilesx86. ) There definitely is something wrong on your end. I'm not saying that you are at fault but sometimes we miss the most obvious things. I tend to think to deep when it comes to troubleshooting. I agree with Modelworks on checking your event log. You can also contact microsoft on the issue. I've had to do that a few times for installs. It sounds crazy but yes microsoft did contact me back and fix the issue.
 
Most of the large businesses prefer MSE

Errr... not exactly. When you get to enterprise management, there is a lot missing. Symantec is probably number 1 with McAfee number 2 (and I feel it is is Number 2 personally). Console management and alerting for second level and third level support in an enterprise data center is why they win.
 
I installed on this on probably 40 sytems including laptops and netbooks to owners too cheap to pay for a AV software.

Zero issues.
 
Errr... not exactly. When you get to enterprise management, there is a lot missing. Symantec is probably number 1 with McAfee number 2 (and I feel it is is Number 2 personally). Console management and alerting for second level and third level support in an enterprise data center is why they win.

MS does offer an Enterprise Managed Solution that I've been asking for since I saw it, but it I'm stuck with the McAfee. ePO is an absolute nightmare to use.

I sincerely doubt this is a virus of any kind. OP you have to be installing more than just updates or do you mean to tell us that you are trying to run your computer without properly installing all your drivers?

-GP
 
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