Updates are necessary, be it your Windows operating system, antivirus program, or whatever application you are using on your PC. Updates help your PC run smoothly by fixing internal glitches and eliminating loopholes. In the same way, your Microsoft Security Essentials should be updated with the latest virus definitions, as they improve your defense system to deal with the latest and growing threats. Here are the simple instructions to help you update your antivirus program smoothly:

Automotive Procedure:

  • To locate ‘Microsoft Security Essentials‘in the systray. Double click the icon to open it.
  • If it is not there, click ‘Start‘menu>’All the programs‘> and click’Microsoft Security Essentials‘To open it
  • Click on the ‘Update‘tab at the top and then click on the’Update‘button.
  • It will start downloading the latest virus definitions and updates to your system. During the process, you can close or minimize the MSE window.
  • When the process is complete, an updated message will be displayed on the screen when you reopen the MSE program.

Manual procedure:

  • First check what version of Windows you have. You can check it by pressing the ‘buttonWindows‘key and’Break break‘together on the keyboard. It will take you to the properties of the Windows operating system. Check if you have a 32-bit and 64-bit version.
  • Open your web browser viz. Internet Explorer (IE) or Firefox, etc.
  • Go to www.microsoft.com/security/portal/Definitions/ADL.aspx?wa=wsignin1.0 (you can also copy and paste this link into your browser’s address bar and press ‘Enter’ on your keyboard).
  • Click to choose the version of Windows you have to download the latest definitions.
  • When a dialog box opens (mpam.f etc, it varies with your version of Windows), click ‘Save File’ and save the file to your preferred location.
  • Double click the file icon to open and run it. Now let the updates download to your PC. It may take some time, so wait for the process to finish.
  • When the update file is running, a file extraction dialog will appear. The box will show that updates are being downloaded.
  • When the download is complete, the box will close automatically. If not, you can close it.
  • If you want to check whether the updates have been downloaded or not, open ‘Microsoft Security Essentials’ and click’Upgrades‘tab. It will display an ‘updated’ message.

Additional tips:

  • You must be logged in as an administrator on your PC or you must have administrative privileges to update or make changes to MSE.
  • If you have Windows 7 or Vista, right click the downloaded file, click ‘Execute as an administrator‘, and click’Yes‘. If it asks for the administrator username and password, enter the information.
  • You would need an active internet connection to download the virus definitions.

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