reinstalled WIn7 Pro and all patches, but unable to find MSE (MIcrosoft Security Essentials)

[navaho42]

Short version: any ideas on how can I obtain a MSE ("Microsoft Security Essentials") install package, for my newly reinstalled Win 7 Pro 64-bit machine?

Additional info:

For years, I've had a HP 8200 SFF Elite, Win 7 Pro desktop machine.   It works great.

I recently bought a second HP 8200 SFF Elite (from eBay), and installed a clean copy of WIn 7 Pro on it (using OEM HP install media, which I purchased from the HP Recover Center, [Content Removed]).

Both machines have WIn 7 Pro Certificate of Authenticity stickers, so these are both legit (and separate) copies of the Win 7 Pro license and OS. 

Computer Surgeons is actually an HP authorized provider of recovery media for HP PC's.

The "Windows Update" part of the Control Panel on the newly acquired SFF desktop didn't work after the fresh reinstall ("Unknown error").  Fortunately I was able to get it working by running "systeminfo.exe" on my current Win 7 Pro machine (to get a list of all the installed patch numbers), and then installing the missing 142 patches on the fresh SFF desktop by pulling them down one by one from the Microsoft Patch Catalog site      

Running "winver.exe" on the newly reinstalled SFF shows that it also has SP1 installed (I believe this came with the Computer Surgeon reinstall disks).

Unfortunately the newly reinstalled SFF does NOT have the "Microsoft Security Essentials" package. 

If I do "Control Panel | Programs | Programs and Features"), the original SFF will how an install package called "MIcrosoft Security Essentials" (installed in 2019), but the newly reinstalled SFF does not.

Microsoft's still releases virus signature updates for Win 7's "Microsoft Security Essentials" through 2023, but they appear to have removed the actual MSE install package for Win 7, to try to force people to upgrade to Win 10 😞      I have a Win 10 desktop, but would really like to keep (both) my Win 7 machines on Win 7.

I contacted Computer Surgeons re: obtaining an install package for MSE, but they threw up their hands and just redirected me to Microsoft.

Any thoughts on how I can get MSE installed onto my second SFF desktop machine?  I checked archive.org but couldn't find it there.  

Thanks in advance!

-Ted

[Prométhée · Accepted solution]

hi

this ?

https://www.microsoft.com/fr-fr/download/details.aspx?id=5201

but i  just saw this

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/what-is-microsoft-security-essentials-c25ad47a-7d15-8072...

I can try searching again if that doesn't work
but I advise you to turn to another free antivirus

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi, @navaho42 

If it helps, the MSE download link that Prométhée works fine.

I know this because I recently had a need to install W7 Pro 64 bit on a spare SSD I have in my HP 8200 Elite CMT.

The file installed and the virus definitions updated to the latest version.

I had to use it the other day and the antivirus definitions updated from the last time I plugged in the drive.

What is probably not happening is the scan engine is not being updated like it is in the currently supported Windows operating systems.

[navaho42]

Wow @ Prométhée, that is exactly what I was looking for!  You're awesome! 

I spent countless hours over the past week looking for that, but the closest I got was the 2nd link you posted (which said the sw was no longer available for Win 7).

Is there another free anti-virus (that runs on Win 7) you prefer?  I did some googling, and so far AVAST seems to be the most reasonable.  Your thoughts?

[navaho42]

Hi @Paul_Tikkanen, yes, that is indeed helpful, thanks!

Two followup q's, if you don't mind...?

Q#1: What's the notation you're using to insert @ links to forum usernames in your replys?  When I try it, the forum sw inserts a blank space b/n the @ sign and the username, and renders it as plain text (rather than a hyperlink).

Q#2: when Microsoft stops supplying AV definitions (circa 2023) for Microsoft Security Essentials (for Win 7), is there a free (or non-free) anti-virus solution you have in mind as a replacement?

Best,

-Ted

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

You are not at a high enough forum level to be able to use the @Mention option.

You need to be at a forum level 6

About Community Rank Levels, Points and Privileges - HP Support Community - 7279573

Unfortunately, I do not have any 3rd party A/V recommendations for you.

I am running W11 Pro (upgraded from W10 Pro) on my 8200 Elite, which will have full OS and security support through 2031.

I only have W7 on that spare disk to run programs and utilities that will not run on anything newer.

[navaho42]

Hi Paul,

Thanks for answering my follow-up questions!

Best,

Ted

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Anytime, Ted.

Glad to have been of assistance.

Cheers,

Paul

[Prométhée]

Hi

@navaho42 

Thank you very much, it is very pleasant to read this type of answer, but it is to my wife, that it must be said
As for the antivirus, unfortunately, I can't offer you anything, it's been a long time since I've only used microsoft antiviruses.
So I don't know what's more interesting right now.
I have been very disappointed for a few years, because most of them no longer just do antivirus functions, but they become all-purpose boxes.
Managing temporary files, checking for updates, etc.
All this can significantly slow down the computer..
and sometimes a hassle to use only what you need
I did not research, but see the comparison sites, it will be quite easy I think to get an idea
My wife uses AVAST, it seems to suit her, but personally I don't like it too much, it has changed too much
Thank you again for this kindness

[navaho42]

Hi Prométhée,

Your wife sounds like a very wise woman! I'm quite fortunate that you and she are kind enough to share your knowledge to help me through my Windows issues.

Thanks also for your insights into the 3rd party antivirus tradeoffs, that was quite interesting.

Best,

Ted