Microsoft Security Essentials - Does it always reconfigure Windows Update

[futurefields]

Hey guys, with my fresh install of Windows 7 and I had some specific goals about how I wanted to do updates and so forth. But I did want to try MSE but I noticed it automatically reconfigures Windows to automatically install updates, is that how it has to be with MSE? Is there no way to have it update through it's own app? I prefer to have automatic Windows updates disabled so I can only download the ones I want. It would be a chore to manually download the new definitions each time they are released.

Also, given that, what is the best alternative to MSE?

Do people still use AVG? It's the last free anti-virus I used but I get sick of the constant ads nagging me to purchase this or that. I've heard good things about Bitdefender Free is it as naggy as AVG?

Thanks a bunch,

 

[FeuerFrei]

RE: nagging: Just put the antivirus software into gaming/silent mode. You'll never see notifications - that's how it works in free Avast anyway ...

:hmm: Looking at squelch settings in paid AVG 2015 - your only option is to activate Game mode when a full-screen application launches - so I guess the rest of the time you're SOL. Though in my experience the latest AVG delivers maybe 1 unwarranted popup a day, if that, not that I'm counting ...

Can't advise on MSE - the update forcing bothers me too.

 

[xgsound]

My experience was that MSE activates Windows autoupdate upon it's installation. The windows autoupdate can then be reset to your preference. MSE will independently update definitions regardless of that setting. Many people feel MSE is hardly effective. YMMV

I switched to Bitdefender free some time ago and after logging in and verifying have received no nag of any kind. I set virus scan to on and auto scan to off. I maintain the machines for many (~12 or so) of the relatives and switched them all to Bitdefender with no ill effects.

Jim

 

[Zahid Iqbal]

after installing MSE, you can then configure automatic updates to off. Otherwise MSE is not recommended in 2015. best alternative is Avast in free and Kaspersky in premium