Learn how to manually check for and download new Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) signatures and engines, and how MSE automatically keeps itself up-to-date.
Manually Update Microsoft Security Essentials
- Open MSE by going to Start, All Programs, Microsoft Security Essentials, and then click Microsoft Security Essentials.
- Select the Update tab.
- Click the Update button.
That’s it!
How Microsoft Security Essentials Keeps Itself Up-to-date Automatically
Microsoft Security Essentials keeps its signatures and engine up-to-date in several ways:
- Windows Update: The Microsoft Security Essentials software will be updated through Windows Update, as well as the engine and signatures about once a month.
- 3 times daily: New malware signatures are checked for and downloaded 3 times a day.
- Real-time: If Microsoft Security Essentials suspects a file to be malware, it can check with Microsoft to see if anyone else has had trouble with it and how to deal with it.
Command Line Utility
Learn how to update Microsoft Security Essentials using its command line utility.
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