Thought I would start A new topic on the trouble removing this program from my computer. I uninstalled Microsoft Security Essentials using revo uninstaller, but Microsoft Security Essentials still showed up in the security center in the control panel. So I went through the registry and deleted any reference to Microsoft Security Essentials. But, Security center is still saying Microsoft Security Essentials is still installed on the computer. Any Ideas, There was no option In Microsoft Security Essentials to uninstall the program directly. Thanks.
Microsoft Security Essentials removal
(25 posts) (7 voices)-
copmom
MemberIs this in connection with that large Microsoft update from 2 days ago?? That's the one that had 14 updates automatically installed on my computer. Now it takes a total of 8 FULL minutes on start up or reboot before the icons show on my desktop.. all I have is a bright blue screen, and then it finally brings up the desktop! This did NOT happen prior to those updates!! And it's made things slow down drastically!
Operating System: Windows XP
I contacted Microsoft and after getting 2 emails from them with links, still no luck.. here's what I emailed them:I followed all your links and most didn't pertain to my problem. I also posted in the newsgroups and find that many others are now having major problems ever since those updates! I think Microsoft needs to fix what they broke!!
The self help articles have nothing to do with this issue, nor does the knowledge base or product solution center!
This has nothing to do with the Microsoft software coming from the computer manufacturer, it has to do with Microsoft's Updates we just had installed!
Next I will try a Microsoft Support professional.. I am sure I'm not the only one now experiencing problems with these latest updates! Maybe I just need to uninstall all those updates and restore my computer back to what it was prior to yesterday, except in the newsgroups others mention having tried that and it won't let them! This is not good!Posted 15 years ago # -
copmom
MemberOh, thanks, I didn't install that one. Since I wrote earlier I tried doing a system restore for 10/13, 14, and 15, and they're all marked as restore points, and yet system restore gives me a message saying it was unable to restore to any of those dates! Egads! If it's not one thing it's 15 others!
Posted 15 years ago # -
watcher13
MemberI don't think so, Copmom. Did you suddenly end up with Security Essentials and didn't have it before? If not, then I don't believe it's related. I checked the net, and nobody's saying that MS is pushing Security Essentials on to people's computers through Update. It's still a voluntary download. If it wasn't, people would be up in arms, like when Windows pushed that update that created a security vulnerability in Firefox. Also, from what I read, Security Essentials gets it's updates internally and not through Update. I could be wrong about this, though, because Defender got it's updates through Windows Update, but I don't think they're pushing Security Essential's updates that way. I'm assuming you're just having a problem with an incompatible or garbled update. In fact, that sounds VERY likely. If that's the case, MS support would be a good way to go.
Where you aware that you can uninstall updates? There's more than one way. For example, in Windows Update (assuming it's the same in XP as it is in Vista), select Installed Updates, then right click on any of those recent updates you think are giving you problems and it will give you an uninstall options. Of course, if you're going to try and troubleshoot it that way, you may have to change your update settings to manual, so it doesn't try to download and reinstall it again. Or you can let it do that, in case your problem is that one got garbled.
dsekirka, can you still open Security Essentials, or is your problem just the notice in the Security Center? If it's the latter, like I said before, you can probably just ignore it. As I said, Security Center's notifications about your AV aren't really of much use, anyway. And that's all they are - notifications. If that's all it is, it shouldn't effect the operation of another AV.
Did you see hotdoge3's post in the other thread? We're not sure, but we believe English may be a 2nd language, so it's sometimes a little hard to understand. Either that, or hotdoge is just heavily into minimal typing. Maybe typing is just laborious. I can understand that. What hotdoge (gender unknown) was saying is that you might consider reinstalling and then trying Revo again. If you haven't, you might try running the Advanced mode. Some people say it causes problems, but I've NEVER seen it. Besides, if you're confident in editing your registry, I'm sure you won't delete anything that Advance pulls up without the appropriate caution.
Or, if you reinstall, you can try that Windows Installer Cleanup Tool I linked to before. Have you tried that yet? Might work without the reinstall.
On the other hand, it may not be uninstallable, so other members should BEWARE. I've read that Security Essentials uninstalls Defender and uses some of the underlying architecture. In Vista, that probably means it can't be uninstalled, since Defender was built into Vista, like IE7. It's possible that, for XP, Defender was built into SP2. If that's the case, you may not be able to kill Essentials without uninstalling and reinstalling SP2 (and therefore SP3, if you already have that). And maybe not even then, if Security Essentials is living very deep in the module structure, like in the .net framework. If that's the case, it may only be removable with an OS reinstall. Or dynamite.
The biggest warning for members, though, is: Don't download Security Essentials if you have a pirated copy of Windows. MS has programmed it to use the Windows Genuine validtation, so you'll not only be wasting you're time, but you might actually mess something up. And end up deleting Defender, if you want to keep it.
Posted 15 years ago # -
Suze
MemberHi copmon: I also run XP (SP2), downloaded and installed 16 MS Updates on 10/14, and have not encountered waiting any longer for my computer to reboot or startup since then. I wonder if somehow there was a problem during the installation of one (or more) of the downloads.
In addition to watcher13's suggestion, another way to uninstall these updates is to use the 'add or remove programs' option under Control Panel. I read about each of these updates before I decide to d/i them, and most, if not all, say that it can be uninstalled through the A/R option. I would suggest uninstalling all of them, then rebooting your computer, and then downloading and installing them again (I know -- what a pain in the a**!).
Another suggestion, going forward (which is what I do): don't have MS automatically download and install its updates each month (on the 2nd Tuesday of each month). Instead, set up the manual option, and then you can decide when, and what, to download and install.
Good luck, and I hope you get your computer to start up as quickly as before!
Posted 15 years ago # -
Suze
Memberwatcher13 is so right - it IS a mixed bag to do it manually, and it can be very time-consuming as well. I usually don't get MS' "There are new updates" message because I have yet to install SP3 on XP. So, I note the second Wednesday of the month (one day after MS issues its updates) in my planner and access Start > All Programs > Microsoft Update to see what's what. Despite the info that you can read for each update, and I do read about each one, I have been known to d/i one or two that I didn't need, such as the Firefox fix, which I then uninstalled . . . Guess I'm not perfect either, but I don't let MS have carte blanche.
Posted 15 years ago # -
I will let Microsoft (and others) check for updates but the only one that's allowed to actually download and install the update without asking for approval is Avira (my anti-virus).
Posted 15 years ago # -
Robert
StrayCatHi Copmom,
My suggestion:(but I don't want to spoil the cake)
:)Install them updates again,reboot and then:
if you're on Vista:
1. Click the Start button, type cmd in the Search box, and press Enter.
2. When the command prompt opens, type Rundll32.exe advapi32.dll,ProcessIdleTasks and press Enter. Your computer will now work on the tasks.if you're on Xp:
type run:%windir%\system32\rundll32.exe advapi32.dll,ProcessIdleTasks
Press enter
Idem ditto.let your computer do its thing for about 30 minutes.LOL.
Now this really helped me in the past (esp. when major updates of .net were involved)
Switching back to hibernation.
Posted 15 years ago # -
watcher13
MemberBasically, what Robert's saying is that sometimes tasks don't get completed properly because they're of such low priority that, especially if you're busy on your machine, the computer can never free enough of the CPU to finish them. Robert's command increases the priority of these tasks so they can get finished. For example, if you shut down before Update is finished doing it's thing, that can be real bad. I'm still fighting damage that happened when I had a power failure during an update session. Good point, Robert.
Besides running a disk scan, there's another repair feature called System File Checker - SFC - you might consider, if you're interested.
Posted 15 years ago # -
Watcher - that's why you might need to get a UPS. We had a brief power outage the day we first got this computer and it was beginning initial configuration. It said not to power down but we didn't really have a choice. With a UPS, we're at least somewhat protected!
Posted 15 years ago # -
copmom
MemberI did the reinstall and the same problem exists. Then under a Microsoft forums I found this link:
http://www.stateofthetech.com/?p=117
Obviously MANY people are being affected by the latest Security Update from Microsoft and the culprit is KB971486.
I did uninstall it, and turned off the automatic update unless I give permission, but even though I removed it, and then had to reboot, it still takes 8 minutes from the welcome screen and then an arrow on a blue screen, before my start, task bar, and icons show on desktop. At first it's a bit slow, and then it does function normally.. so something's still wrong. I queried that situation in the link above and will see what (if) anything comes up from that.Posted 15 years ago # -
watcher13
MemberThanks, Copmom, I haven't installed this and everyone should probably heed your story and wait. I don't know if you realize, but the Windows kernel, which this update tries to fix vulnerabilities in, is one of the core modules. Many would say it's THE core module of Windows. If MS messes that up...could be catastrophic. I'm sorry, Copmom, but there could be no easy way to correct this. You might have to do a reinstall or a ghost restore, if you have a backup image. This could be Microsoft's biggest debacle ever, if enough people or affected.
I'd contact MS. Their security support is ALWAYS free, but they seem to have made it a lot harder to contact them. Try the contact tab on this page.
http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/cu_sc_virsec_master#tab3
If you email them or chat with them, send them the link you posted above. If you call them, just insist an update messed up your machine and they'll have to provide the free support they promised for security issues.
Posted 15 years ago # -
copmom
MemberI did contact them yesterday .. by the way, right after the updates were installed, before I knew there was a problem, I had done a ghost of my HD, so the image will have the same problems!!! Egads!
Here is a back & forth with them:
Problem Description: Yesterday there were 14 updates automatically installed on my computer. Now it takes a total of 8 FULL minutes on start up or reboot before the icons show on my desktop.. all I have is a bright blue screen, and then it finally brings up the desktop! This did NOT happen prior to those updates!! And it's made things slow down drastically!
Operating System: Windows XP SP2This happens every time I've had to reboot or turn on the machine.
I am not on a network or anything like that.. just a home desktop computer.
Operating System: Windows XPHello Lauri,
Thank you for contacting Microsoft Customer Service.
I will help you to reach the right resources.
As your issue is technical in nature, I would recommend that you choose any one of the following support options to resolve your issue.
You may search our Product Solution Centre or the Knowledge Base of self-help articles from the following web link to resolve your issue:
http://support.microsoft.com/ph/1173You may also post your issue in the Microsoft newsgroups. Please visit the link below to search for a possible resolution:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/newsgroups/reader.mspx?dg=microsoft.public.windowsxp.general&lang=en&cr=USIf the Microsoft software came from your computer manufacturer, they are your primary option for support. Contact information for most major computer manufacturers is available at the following web page:
http://www.support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=oemphoneYou may also work with a Microsoft Support Professional to resolve your issue. Please select the appropriate edition of Windows XP from the following link:
https://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?&ln=en-us&gprid=1173&&st=1Lauri, I hope the issue is resolved soon.
Thank you,
Hello Sreekanth,
I followed all your links and most didn't pertain to my problem. I also posted in the newsgroups and find that many others are now having major problems ever since those updates! I think Microsoft needs to fix what they broke!!
The self help articles have nothing to do with this issue, nor does the knowledge base or product solution center!
This has nothing to do with the Microsoft software coming from the computer manufacturer, it has to do with Microsoft's Updates we just had installed!
Next I will try a Microsoft Support professional.. I am sure I'm not the only one now experiencing problems with these latest updates! Maybe I just need to uninstall all those updates and restore my computer back to what it was prior to yesterday, except in the newsgroups others mention having tried that and it won't let them! This is not good!
In friendship ~ LauriHello Lauri,
Thank you for contacting Microsoft Customer Service.
I am sorry to know that you are experiencing issues after installing Updates on Windows XP computer.
I suggest that you contact Microsoft Support Professional via e-mail, telephone and chat to resolve your issue. Please visit the following link and select appropriate edition of Windows XP to contact the Support Team:
http://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?&ln=en-us&gprid=1173&Please note that Microsoft provides no charge support for the issues related to the post installation of Microsoft Update. You may receive no charge support once the support professional determines the exact cause of the issue.
I hope the issue is resolved soon and appreciate your patience.
Thank you,
RoshiThank you Roshi.. I already spent my entire morning trying to 'fix' this. I've uninstalled all the updates, to no avail. Then tried system restore, and it will NOT allow me to restore! I will try the support team next, after I have more time to spare on this issue!
In friendship ~ LauriHello Lauri,
Thank you for contacting Microsoft Customer Service.
I appreciate that you have taken time to write back to us.
We would like to thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to provide us feedback on your support experience with Microsoft. We are very appreciative of your using Microsoft Products for your needs and hope that you will continue using our products in future.
Lauri, I appreciate your patience and hope your issue will resolve soon.
Thank you,
SreekanthPosted 15 years ago # -
watcher13
MemberThat last one is particularly funny. "I can't help you, but I'm just emailing you to say that I hope the Gods resolve your issue" or some such drivel. Where those emails or chats? Seemed like emails. I was definitely thinking you should call or chat. Though I don't know why they can't give you better email support, calling or chatting lets you hold their feet to the fire better. Let's them know that they're giving you solutions that are not relevant to the problem. I've worked at a help desk before and I know when someone is "reading from the script" and not paying attention to the particulars of your problem. That's another reason to call or chat, so you don't just get passed from agent to agent, and have to start over every time. I had an MS agent in the past who tried, but gave me a couple solutions that you could tell were generic and not related to the problem. My ISP carries an online game streaming service from ESPN, and when I'd email them about a problem, I'd get the same form letter with the same irrelevant solutions every time. I'd then send them a flame and they'd apologize because I caught them red handed not reading my email. Eventually, I just called them and then I'd get better service.
I highly recommend you do it live.
Posted 15 years ago # -
copmom
Memberwatcher.. tomorrow AM (when I'm bright eyed and bushy tailed", I am going to call their support number (which is 866-234-6020) and see if they can help solve things..not only for myself but for many others!!!
The contacts I've had so far have been via emails, and yes, they all do sound like canned scripts and generic answers instead of tackling the actual issues! And you'll notice they're all signed by foreign names which leads me to believe their techs are all in India!!
Grrrrrrr!
At least if I call, and they can't speak English well, I can demand that I want a technician in the United States! Read somewhere that if you do that, they do have to transfer you to an American tech!By the way, it would be nice if this topic could now have another heading such as "Warning about latest Microsoft Update" since it doesn't pertain to Security Essentials anymore and perhaps more people on the forum can be spared having all of this happen to them!
Posted 15 years ago # -
Anonymous
Unregisteredhttp://bored-night.com/index.php/Interesting/Microsoft-Bus-Service-for-Employees.html
believe their techs are all in India!! & speak English well
Posted 15 years ago # -
watcher13
MemberWell, copmom, maybe a moderator can move the relevant posts into a new thread. Or you can certainly start a new thread to pick up from this point. It's easy to get off the topic, because something you think is just going to be a btw mention sometimes turns into a hairy problem.
Anyway, like Sreekanth, I hope your issue will resolve soon. I'd be ready for a reinstall, though. MS often doesn't handle these sort of situations well. IMHO, I think Microsoft has let things get so complicated that few in Redmond completely understand how things interact. "Mr. Right Hand, I'd like to introduce you to Mr. Left Hand. Have you two met before?"
Posted 15 years ago # -
watcher13
MemberCopmom, I had some thoughts that may help. Have you tried rebooting to the "Last Known Good Configuration"? This shouldn't help, but you've got nothing to lose, and it shouldn't hurt. And if the damage is extensive enough, it might actually work. You know, that option that's part of the menu when you hit F8 on reboot. Like when you go into Safe Mode. It also might be worth trying to boot into Safe Mode. Just for the troubleshooting information it will provide. If it boots into Safe Mode normally, that's a good sign. Means the damage is relatively late in the boot and easier to clean. If Safe is messed up too, that's bad. Means the damage is pretty low and basic in the system. In any case, that would be good info. for the tech, who might ask you to do it anyway.
Which reminds me, that's another reason while calling or chatting is better, because an MS tech can sometimes remote into your machine and see the problem.
One other thing I wrote earlier today to Terri in another thread: Have you tried yesterday's giveaway Returnil? You can still get it free everyday with practically the same functionality.
http://www.returnilvirtualsystem.com
It creates a virtual copy of your C: drive/partition which allows you to test software or do potential dangerous surfing all you want. If anything goes wrong, you simply reboot and everything you did which might have caused you problems vanishes. You get a fresh virtual copy of your drive with all the old settings. Like doing a system restore without the potential bad consequences. Then, if you like the software you're testing, you can shut off Returnil and be right back into your C: partition and install the software that passed the test.
The reason I mention this is that it just occurred to my thick brain that this would also work real well for troubleshooting and repair. You could make any corrections you want to the virtual partition, and, if the repairs messed stuff up worse, you reboot and - Poof! - bad changes gone. Once you find a solution that really works, you can shut off Returnil and apply those corrections to your damaged partitions. A little extra protection from the horrors of Windows repair.
I've been using Returnil for awhile as a software tester, and I really like it. I'm going to have to start using it for repair, too. You might want to turn off it's new AV module, though. It's probably too limited to bother fooling with.
Posted 15 years ago #
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