84,488,480 programs installed

Should I remove Microsoft Security Essentials?

What percent of users and experts removed it?
8% remove it92% keep it
Overall Sentiment
Good
What do people think about it?
(click star to rate)
How common is it?
Global Rank #33
United States Rank #33
Reach 10.0025%
(Not enough data to show 30 day installation trends)
Uninstallation trends (last 30 days)
Lifespan of installation (until removal)
< 24.39 days
719.60 days >
Average installed length: 378.09 days

Versions

VersionDistribution
4.10.209.0 2.82%
4.10.205.0 0.59%
4.9.218.0 3.68%
4.8.204.0 13.77%
4.7.205.0 8.53%
4.6.305.0 13.00%
4.5.218.0 0.00%
4.5.216.0 17.34%
4.4.304.0 13.53%
4.4.0304.0 0.00%
4.3.219.0 2.87%
4.3.216.0 1.58%
4.3.215.0 4.97%
4.2.223.1 11.59%
4.1.522.0 1.70%
4.0.1538.0 0.02%
4.0.1526.0 0.74%
4.0.1512.0 0.00%
4.0.1111.0 0.01%
2.1.1116.0 2.00%
2.0.719.0 0.04%
2.0.657.0 1.00%
2.0.522.0 0.00%
2.0.375.0 0.01%
1.0.2498.0 0.12%
1.0.2140.0 0.00%
1.0.1963.0 0.02%
1.0.1961.0 0.03%
1.0.1959.0 0.00%
1.0.1759.0 0.01%
1.0.1611.0 0.02%
1.0.1501.0 0.00%
1.0.1500.0 0.01%
1.0.1407.0 0.00%

Other programs by Microsoft

Microsoft Security Essentials

What is Microsoft Security Essentials?

Microsoft Security Essentials is an antivirus software product that provides protection against different types of malware such as computer viruses, spyware, rootkits and Trojan horses. It runs on Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7, but not on Windows 8, which has a built-in AV component. Built upon the same virus definitions and scanning engine as other Microsoft antivirus products, MSE provides real-time protection, constantly monitoring activities on the computer and scanning new files as they are downloaded or created and disabling detected threats. MSE provides real-time protection, constantly monitoring activities on the computer and scanning new files as they are downloaded or created. It disables detected threats and prompts for user input on how to deal with them. If no response is received within ten minutes, suspected threats are handled according to the default actions defined in the application's settings. Depending on those settings, it may also create System Restore checkpoints before removing the detected malware.

About  (from Microsoft)

Use Microsoft Security Essentials to help guard against viruses, spyware, and other malicious software. It provides real-time protection for your home or small business PCs. Microsoft Security Essentials is free* and we designed it to be simple to install and easy to use. It runs quietly and efficiently in the backgrou...  Read more
Overview
  • Starts automatically
  • Loads into the web browser
  • Adds a Windows Service

Program detailsProgram details

URL: go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=195291&mkt=en-us
Installation folder: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Security Client
Uninstaller: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Security Client\Setup.exe /x
Estimated size: 21.86 MB
Language: English (United States)

Program filesFiles installed by Microsoft Security Essentials

Program executable:msseces.exe
Name:Microsoft Security Client
Microsoft Security Client User Interface
Path:C:\Program Files\Microsoft Security Client\msseces.exe
MD5:1d6174de4ded26e5d91b9b66e0fe4dac
Taskbar:Displays an icon in the notification area
Msseces.exe is the front-end GUI of MSE(Microsoft Security Essentials). If you have installed the latest antivirus from Microsoft, then this process keeps the program’s graphical interface running. Even if you end this process,...
Additional files:
  • mpevmsg.dll - Protection contre les programmes malveillants Microsoft (Module de ressources d'événement)
  • MpAsDesc.dll - Descriptions des mises à jour des définitions
  • MsMpRes.dll
  • ConfigSecurityPolicy.exe - Microsoft Security Client Policy Configure
  • IpsConsumer.dll - Microsoft Network Inspection System
  • NisLog.dll - Microsoft Network Inspection System Logging Provider
  • NisNetIP.dll
  • NisPerformanceProvider.dll - Microsoft Network Inspection System performance counters provider
  • NisSrv.exe
  • NisWFP.dll
  • NisIpsPlugin.dll - AntiMalware RealTime Protection (Nis Ips Plugin in AM Service)
  • DbgHelp.dll - Debugging Tools for Windows(R) (Windows Image Helper)
  • SymSrv.dll - Symbol Server
  • eppmanifest.dll - Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE Resource Module)
  • MSESysprep.dll - Microsoft Security Essentials Sysprep Module
  • msseoobe.exe - Microsoft Security Essentials OOBE Wizard
  • msseooberes.dll - Microsoft Security Client OOBE Wizard Resources
  • MsseWat.dll - Microsoft Security Essentials WGA module
  • MpAzSubmit.dll - Microsoft Malware Protection (MpAzSubmit Module)
  • MpClient.dll - Client Interface
  • MpCmdRun.exe - Microsoft Malware Protection Command Line Utility
  • MpCommu.dll - Communication Module
  • MpOAv.dll - IOfficeAntiVirus Module
  • MpRTP.dll - AntiMalware Realtime Monitor
  • MpSvc.dll - Service Module
  • MpUtil.dll - Sample / Spynet Submission
  • MsMpCom.dll - COM Utility
  • MsMpEng.exe - Antimalware Service Executable
  • LegitLib.dll - Microsoft Genuine Advantage (Windows Genuine Advantage Validation Library)
  • setup.exe - Microsoft Security Client (Microsoft Security Client Setup)
  • setupres.dll - Microsoft Security Client Setup Resources
  • shellext.dll - Extensão do Shell para Microsoft Security Client
  • MsMpLics.dll - Microsoft Antimalware (License Module)
  • sqmapi.dll - SQM Client

Program behaviorsBehaviors exhibited

Autoplay Handler
  • shellext.dll is registered as an AutoPlay event handler named 'DVDFabHDDecrypterOnDVDArrival' with the ProgID of 'DVDFabHDDecrypterOpen' and the action verb 'Open.
Context Menu Handler
  • shellext.dll added to Windows Explorer under the name 'OpenWithCtxMenuExt' with a class of {BC654325-1273-C2A9-2B7C-45D29BCE68FB}.
Mozilla Plugin
  • shellext.dll is loaded into Mozilla Firefox under the product name 'Microsoft SharePoint Plug-in for Firefox' with a plugin key of '@microsoft.com/SharePoint,version=14.0' for all users of the PC.
6 Scheduled Tasks
  • msseces.exe is scheduled as a task with the class '{6FA94EF8-7B88-4C31-9AF5-D831F612AF54}' (runs on registration).
  • MpCmdRun.exe is scheduled as a task named 'Microsoft Security Essentials Scan' (runs daily at 11:00 PM).
  • MsMpEng.exe is scheduled as a task with the class '{36EFC519-FFC0-44BA-A865-06780C54FA6D}' (runs on registration).
  • Setup.exe is scheduled as a task with the class '{EAC44AF3-B6F9-401D-8A78-249D0D819684}' (runs on registration).
  • MsMpRes.dll is scheduled as a task named 'Microsoft-Windows-TaskScheduler_Operational_Microsoft-Windows-TaskScheduler_103'.
  • msseoobe.exe is scheduled as a task with the class '{F92EC1F7-C1CA-4B2B-88BD-D9BA16A7954C}' (runs on registration).
2 Scheduled Tasks (Boot/Login)
  • msseces.exe is automatically launched at startup through a scheduled task named 5.
  • MpCmdRun.exe is automatically launched at startup through a scheduled task named MS-AntiVir-Update.
2 Services
  • NisSrv.exe runs as a service named 'Microsoft Netwerkinspectie' (NisSrv) "Biedt bescherming tegen inbraakpogingen die gericht zijn op bekende en recentelijk gevonden zwakke plekken in netwerkprotocollen".
  • MsMpEng.exe runs as a service named 'Microsoft Antimalware Service' (MsMpSvc) "Helps protect users from malware and other potentially unwanted software".
4 Startup Files (User Run)
  • msseces.exe is loaded in the current user (HKCU) registry as an auto-starting executable named 'Microsoft Security Client User Interface' and executes as C:\Program Files\Microsoft Security Client\msseces.exe.
  • msseoobe.exe is loaded in the current user (HKCU) registry as an auto-starting executable named 'msseoobe.exe' and executes as C:\Program Files\microsoft security client\msseoobe.exe.
  • MpCmdRun.exe is loaded in the current user (HKCU) registry as an auto-starting executable named 'Microsoft Malware Protection Command Line Utility' and executes as C:\Program Files\Microsoft Security Client\MpCmdRun.exe.
  • MsMpEng.exe is loaded in the current user (HKCU) registry as an auto-starting executable named 'New startup' and executes as "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Security Client\MsMpEng.exe".
Startup File (User Run Once)
  • msseces.exe is loaded once in the current user (HKCU) registry as a startup file name 'Application Restart #1' which loads as C:\Program Files\Microsoft Security Client\msseces.exe -Recover.
2 Startup Files (All Users Run)
  • msseces.exe is loaded in the all users (HKLM) registry as a startup file name 'msseces.exe' which loads as "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Security Client\msseces.exe".
  • MsMpEng.exe is loaded in the all users (HKLM) registry as a startup file name 'Microsoft Security' which loads as C:\Program Files\Microsoft Security Client\MsMpEng.exe.
5 Windows Firewall Allowed Programs
  • shellext.dll is added as a firewall exception for 'C:\Program Files2\HEWLET~1\PCCOE3~1\OVCMS~1\radexecd.exe'.
  • msseces.exe is added as a firewall exception for 'C:\Program Files\Microsoft Security Client\msseces.exe'.
  • MsMpEng.exe is added as a firewall exception for 'C:\Program Files\Microsoft Security Client\MsMpEng.exe'.
  • Setup.exe is added as a firewall exception for 'C:\Program Files\Microsoft Security Client\setup.exe'.
  • MpCmdRun.exe is added as a firewall exception for 'C:\Program Files\Microsoft Security Client\MpCmdRun.exe'.

Program resource utilizationResource utilization averages

msseces.exe
Memory:5.68 MB
21.09 MB average
Total CPU:0.0046769139%
0.031193% average
Kernel CPU:0.00205440%
0.016088% average
User CPU:0.00262252%
0.015104% average
CPU cycles/sec:4,402
8,062,084 average
I/O reads/min:3 Bytes
435.61 KB average
MpCmdRun.exe
Memory:564 KB
Total CPU:0.1615348063%
Kernel CPU:0.13167757%
User CPU:0.02985724%
MsMpEng.exe
Memory:93.98 MB
Total CPU:0.0073768926%
Kernel CPU:0.00499648%
User CPU:0.00238042%
CPU cycles/sec:31,319,887
Switches/sec:24
I/O reads/min:5.84 MB
I/O writes/min:1.78 MB

How do I remove Microsoft Security Essentials?

You can uninstall Microsoft Security Essentials from your computer by using the Add/Remove Program feature in the Window's Control Panel.
  1. On the Start menu (for Windows 8, right-click the screen's bottom-left corner), click Control Panel, and then, under Programs, do one of the following:
    • Windows Vista/7/8/10: Click Uninstall a Program.
    • Windows XP: Click Add or Remove Programs.
  2. When you find the program Microsoft Security Essentials, click it, and then do one of the following:
    • Windows Vista/7/8/10: Click Uninstall.
    • Windows XP: Click the Remove or Change/Remove tab (to the right of the program).
  3. Follow the prompts. A progress bar shows you how long it will take to remove Microsoft Security Essentials.

How do I reset my web browser?

If your web browser homepage and search settings have been modfied by Microsoft Security Essentials you can restore them to their previous default settings.
Microsoft Internet Explorer
Mozilla Firefox
Google Chrome

HOW IT STARTS
Automatically starts? Yes
(Found in the run registry)
 
USER ACTIONS
Uninstall it 8%
Keep it 92%
 
GLOBAL RANK
#33

Windows OS versionsWindows

Which Windows OS versions does it run on?
Windows 7 86.91%
Windows Vista 8.19%
Windows XP 4.65%
Windows 10 0.23%
Windows Server 2003 0.02%
Which OS releases does it run on?
Windows 7 Home Premium 45.77%
Windows 7 Professional 18.98%
Windows 7 Ultimate 17.46%
Windows Vista Home Premiu... 6.10%
Microsoft Windows XP 4.58%
Windows 7 Home Basic 1.72%

Distribution by countryGeography

52.31% of installs come from the United States
Which countries install it?
  United States 52.31%
  United Kingdom 4.95%
  Canada 3.80%
  Germany 3.54%
  France 3.45%
  Brazil 2.08%
  Italy 2.02%
  Netherlands 1.86%
  Australia 1.75%
  India 1.19%
  Sweden 1.07%
  Spain 1.07%
  Belgium 0.93%
  Israel 0.82%

OEM distributionPC manufacturers

What PC manufacturers (OEMs) have it installed?
Hewlett-Packard 27.83%
Dell 25.67%
Acer 17.44%
ASUS 8.21%
Toshiba 7.85%
GIGABYTE 5.12%
Samsung 3.57%
Lenovo 2.07%
Intel 1.45%
American Megatrends 0.80%
Common models
HP Pavilion dv6 Notebook ... 7.49%
HP Pavilion dv7 Notebook ... 5.08%
HP Pavilion g6 Notebook P... 4.71%
ASUS All Series 2.89%
Dell Inspiron 1545 2.86%
HP Pavilion g7 Notebook P... 2.53%

About Microsoft

Microsoft Corporation develops, manufactures, licenses and supports a variety of products and services related to computing.
Publisher URL: www.microsoft.com

comments7 comments

user comment
user comment
Solarisover a year ago
The operating system is no longer supported by microsoft that it had ended because they had to invest their resources toward supporting more recent technologies. It says your pc is at risk & needs to be protected meaning that your pc is not secure because Microsoft is no longer providing security updates to help protect your pc, & your computer might become more vulnerable to security risks and viruses that you might be exposing your pc to additional threats. Also, as more software and hardware manufacturers continue to optimize for more recent versions of Windows, you can expect to encounter more apps and devices that do not work with your computer. To stay protected now that support has ended, you have two options: upgrade your current pc or get a new pc, So no questions about it if you cant do either, the next step is to purge it & find another program.
user comment
Nickover a year ago
This antivirus takes forever to complete a full system scan.
user comment
Noviceover a year ago
This thing takes forever! Over 8 hours. I don't like it. Uses all my CPU, too. Anybody have any other recommendations?
user comment
NoRevenueover a year ago
Free antivirus by Microsoft, recommended through Windows Update if you haven't any AV installed. Great protection is you're looking for lightweight protection, minimal user interaction and very little false positives.
user comment
Anonymousover a year ago
The newest update (published 3/1/13) CANNOT be removed (per Microsoft's definition)
expert comment
jerry (Expert)over a year ago
I highly recommend this antivirus. Great protection, lightweight, automatically updates. I recommend this over AVG, AVAST, Panda and Avira to anyone who ask me what the best AV product is, this is it.
user comment
Just a software guyover a year ago
This is a great antivirus program that I highly recommend. It is very fast and takes minimal system resources unlike some of the more commercial product like Symantec, Trend or McAfee. The real-time scanning engine is super fast and I never see a lag in my laptop's performance. It detects most of the standard spyware and adware and of course all the prevalent malware. And did I mention the this is 100% free!