Microsoft Security Essentials. Better than AVG?

[struggler44]

AVG help

I run AVG 8.5 and I cannot find how to disable the virus scan, I tried to run a program and get a message that AVG needs to be disabled first and I can't find out how to accomplish that, doesn't appear to be a way to temp. shut it off. Haven't went to their website yet but I am hoping someone here can help me.

 

[GWguy]

I'm running v9, but it should be the same. Double-click on the icon in the system tray. In the open window on the left, click on Computer Scanner, then Manage Scheduled Scans. Highlight the only scan, select Edit Scan. Deselect Enable This Task.

 

[struggler44]

I'm running v9, but it should be the same. Double-click on the icon in the system tray. In the open window on the left, click on Computer Scanner, then Manage Scheduled Scans. Highlight the only scan, select Edit Scan. Deselect Enable This Task.

So when I do that it will temp. stop AVG and let me run my program and then I can go back in and turn it back on? I have it set to scan daily at noon but it blocks my ComboFix whenever I try to run it, won't let it install.

 

[GWguy]

So when I do that it will temp. stop AVG and let me run my program and then I can go back in and turn it back on? I have it set to scan daily at noon but it blocks my ComboFix whenever I try to run it, won't let it install.

That's not the scheduled scan doing that, it's the virus scanner, the baseline AVG itself. Deinstall the entire AVG product, reboot, install your product, then download and reinstall the latest version of AVG.

 

[struggler44]

That's not the scheduled scan doing that, it's the virus scanner, the baseline AVG itself. Deinstall the entire AVG product, reboot, install your product, then download and reinstall the latest version of AVG.

That's what i was afraid of. Will their website see the same Mac address and let me register it again on the same license? May be a dumb question but I don't know how the licensing works. I still have all my codes when I bought the program

 

[GWguy]

That's what i was afraid of. Will their website see the same Mac address and let me register it again on the same license? May be a dumb question but I don't know how the licensing works. I still have all my codes when I bought the program

Dunno. Check with their support. I only use the free version.

 

[struggler44]

Dunno. Check with their support. I only use the free version.

Thanks GW

 

[BigSlam123b]

That is my problem with this "resource hog" statement. It is normally thrown around when trying to prove a point and you have nothing else to use. Anyway GWguy - one big BOO BOO AVG did was with their Link Scanner and Web Shield features. The Link Scanner can bring your browser to it knee's if you have the Surf Shield running and if you have the Web Shield feature on it will also kill you WHEN Grisoft is having problems with their Server. It took me hours to figure out what the problem was. A bunch of user's are having a problem and Grisoft has yet to acknowledge it...

I am only speaking from my personal experience, which is ample. The best example is my netbook. I had AVG installed on my netbook with Win7. I assumed that it was a bit sluggish because I was running Win7 on a netbook. I decided to ditch AVG for MS Security Essentials only because it offered so much more than virus protection and for free. After uninstalling AVG and installing MS I found that the machine was running about 30% faster and had NO lag time whatsoever. It was now running at the same level as my Dell Studio XPS laptop. And yes it is a known resource hog. AVG has multiple processes running at the same time that are very heavy in memory and processor usage. Whether you believe it or not I really don't care. The bottom line is that MS offers quite a bit more protection for free. Where as if you wanted the same level of protection from AVG then you would have to purchase the paid version.

 

[GWguy]

I am only speaking from my personal experience, which is ample. The best example is my netbook. I had AVG installed on my netbook with Win7. I assumed that it was a bit sluggish because I was running Win7 on a netbook.

I have the same setup, Acer 1410, 2G memory, and it just hums right along, no hesitation or delay. Can't tell much difference with AVG installed or not until it runs a full scan, then it bogs down due to high disk I/O.

Wonder what the difference is? Maybe I'm just used to slow PCs and don't know the difference!!

 

[The_Twisted_Ear]

I am only speaking from my personal experience, which is ample. The best example is my netbook. I had AVG installed on my netbook with Win7. I assumed that it was a bit sluggish because I was running Win7 on a netbook. I decided to ditch AVG for MS Security Essentials only because it offered so much more than virus protection and for free. After uninstalling AVG and installing MS I found that the machine was running about 30% faster and had NO lag time whatsoever. It was now running at the same level as my Dell Studio XPS laptop. And yes it is a known resource hog. AVG has multiple processes running at the same time that are very heavy in memory and processor usage. Whether you believe it or not I really don't care. The bottom line is that MS offers quite a bit more protection for free. Where as if you wanted the same level of protection from AVG then you would have to purchase the paid version.

I guess it has to do with your definition of "resource hog." As I mentioned, AVG does (or did) have a problem with their server response time (which has nothing to do with "eating up resources") when verifying bad sites and/or links. We can agree to disagree.

 

[The_Twisted_Ear]

Whether you believe it or not I really don't care.

Wow - just re-read your response - having a bad day are we?

 

[BigSlam123b]

Wow - just re-read your response - having a bad day are we?

Nope, I don't care. The main point of my post was the last line. May want to re-read again.

 

[The_Twisted_Ear]

Nope, I don't care. The main point of my post was the last line. May want to re-read again.

Wow BigSlam - you really have to lighten up on your coffee. Just take a deep breath and relax.

 

[chernmax]

My AVG software never seemed to be any kind of resource hog and I use the corporate edition, but then a again my computer is a small brute with lots of resources to spare!

AF9005 AMD Athlon II X2 Dual-Core 1
AMD Athlon II X2 250 Dual-Core (3.0GHz, 2MB L2 Cache, 1066 FSB)
CF-OCVANQUISHER-775AM2 OCZ Vanquisher Universal 775 & AM2 3 copper heat-pipes
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium Full Version CD – 32 bit
CS-RMSAGITTA2BLK Raidmax Full Tower Steel Gaming PC case – Black/Black
700 Watt - ATX Power Supply
MB-BITA790GXE-128M BIOSTAR 790GX Crossfire Chipset
8 GB OCZ Gold 800MHz DDR2 Memory (2x2GB Modules)
500GB Hard Drive 1 (Serial ATA II, 3GB, 7200 RPM, 16M Cache)
500GB Hard Drive 2 (Serial ATA II, 3GB, 7200 RPM, 16M Cache)
Internal 12-in-1 Card Reader/Writer & USB 2.0
22X Dual Layer Burner (DVD±RW + CD-R/RW + CD/DVD-ROM) drive
22X Dual Layer Burner (DVD±RW + CD-R/RW + CD/DVD-ROM) drive
NVIDIA GeForce HD N9400 GT BIN94001GB 1GB 128-bit GDDR2 667MHz PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card
8-channel (7.1) 3D Premium Surround Sound Onboard

 

[The_Twisted_Ear]

My AVG software never seemed to be any kind of resource hog and I use the corporate edition

I know but when some non-techy see's a bunch of processes taking place - why, they just associate that with it being a resource hog. They don't understand that having a lot of processes taking place via the Task Manager doesn't mean that they are all working at a 100% let alone at the same time. They probably haven't a clue that just because Essential's doesn't have a lot of processes going it doesn't mean that Microsoft "allowed" those they see to be visable. Heck, they probably panic when they see a dozen SVCHOST.EXE running!

 

[clevalley]

You may have more than one ....

just none can be set to auto protect.


otherwise the one AV Program set to auto, will scan every file scanned by the other AV Program doing a manual sweep.

expentially increasing your scan time ...

you would have to set your auto protect to disabled, when using any other AV program.

Only run one AV program at a time, otherwise you will kill your resources... you can run something like spybot defender and an AV, but not two AV's at the same time, you are just asking for problems.

Well folks, it looks like they're both good so I'll stick with my AVG until it expires in 2012 and, if America is still here, I might go with the Microsoft one. Thanks for all your comments.

Sounds like a good plan, sorry I did not get back to your earlier post I just saw it.

 

[BigSlam123b]

I know but when some non-techy see's a bunch of processes taking place - why, they just associate that with it being a resource hog. They don't understand that having a lot of processes taking place via the Task Manager doesn't mean that they are all working at a 100% let alone at the same time. They probably haven't a clue that just because Essential's doesn't have a lot of processes going it doesn't mean that Microsoft "allowed" those they see to be visable. Heck, they probably panic when they see a dozen SVCHOST.EXE running!

 

[The_Twisted_Ear]

Well, I have always defended AVG Grisoft and have been a loyal customer for years and years. A few months back they updated their "paid for" version with Link stuff and it caused my system to crawl. I "disabled" that feature and was happy again. Well, I just went through an update (it was hugh) and guess what? I was crawling again yet my "link" feature was still disabled. So, it would appear that they either turned it back on with removing the "disable" or they did something stupid. I finally bit the bullet and removed it and replaced it with Microsoft Essentials and life is good again. I figured since I defended them I would let you know that I changed my mind.

 

[GWguy]

I found, on occasion, AVG will drag the system down. Everytime that's happened, I've de-installed it completely, downloaded the newest version and the problem goes away. I think it's a quirk in the version updater.

 

[The_Twisted_Ear]

I found, on occasion, AVG will drag the system down. Everytime that's happened, I've de-installed it completely, downloaded the newest version and the problem goes away. I think it's a quirk in the version updater.

This started up with the "definition" update - eitherway, if I wasn't home the wife would have given up on the computer. I just don't want to have to worry about it. Oh well...life does go on...they won't miss my little renewal fee.