Windows Essentials

[Antares 531]

My computer is currently set up with Norton Internet Security 2011,
with the latest on-line updates. This computer is running Microsoft
Windows 7, with the latest on-line automatic updates.

I've noticed frequent slow-down problems and I'm wondering if this
could be caused by Norton as it runs background scans, etc. Also, this
computer is very slow in coming out of hibernation or going through a
re-boot process.

I have an abundance of unused hard drive space, and RAM. I don't think
this is the source of the problems.

A friend of mine had the same problem and ended up removing Norton and
replacing it with Windows Essentials. Can anyone here provide me with
some further insights into this? Should I consider removing Norton and
replacing it with Windows Essentials? Is Windows Essentials already
installed as a part of my Windows 7 OS but perhaps inactivated or
otherwise suppressed?

Thanks, Gordon

 

[Big Steel]

My computer is currently set up with Norton Internet Security 2011,
with the latest on-line updates. This computer is running Microsoft
Windows 7, with the latest on-line automatic updates.

I've noticed frequent slow-down problems and I'm wondering if this
could be caused by Norton as it runs background scans, etc. Also, this
computer is very slow in coming out of hibernation or going through a
re-boot process.

I have an abundance of unused hard drive space, and RAM. I don't think
this is the source of the problems.

A friend of mine had the same problem and ended up removing Norton and
replacing it with Windows Essentials. Can anyone here provide me with
some further insights into this? Should I consider removing Norton and
replacing it with Windows Essentials? Is Windows Essentials already
installed as a part of my Windows 7 OS but perhaps inactivated or
otherwise suppressed?

You have to install it. You may want to look at NOD32, which I have on
my Vista machine. But I like Windows SE so I don't think I am going to
renewal NOD32 again.

<http://www.microsoft.com/nz/digitallife/security/microsoft-security-essentials.mspx#>

 

[Antares 531]

You have to install it. You may want to look at NOD32, which I have on
my Vista machine. But I like Windows SE so I don't think I am going to
renewal NOD32 again.

<http://www.microsoft.com/nz/digitallife/security/microsoft-security-essentials.mspx#>

How can I go about checking what programs start up automatically when
booting Windows 7? I can't find anything like Start > Run >
autorun.exe that I seem to remember having on my older computers. Is
there a similar process for reviewing and changing what starts and
what doesn't start on boot-up?

Gordon

 

[Big Steel]

How can I go about checking what programs start up automatically when
booting Windows 7? I can't find anything like Start> Run>
autorun.exe that I seem to remember having on my older computers. Is
there a similar process for reviewing and changing what starts and
what doesn't start on boot-up?

Gordon

http://netsquirrel.com/msconfig/msconfig_win7.html

 

[Bruce Hagen]

My computer is currently set up with Norton Internet Security 2011,
with the latest on-line updates. This computer is running Microsoft
Windows 7, with the latest on-line automatic updates.

I've noticed frequent slow-down problems and I'm wondering if this
could be caused by Norton as it runs background scans, etc. Also, this
computer is very slow in coming out of hibernation or going through a
re-boot process.

I have an abundance of unused hard drive space, and RAM. I don't think
this is the source of the problems.

A friend of mine had the same problem and ended up removing Norton and
replacing it with Windows Essentials. Can anyone here provide me with
some further insights into this? Should I consider removing Norton and
replacing it with Windows Essentials? Is Windows Essentials already
installed as a part of my Windows 7 OS but perhaps inactivated or
otherwise suppressed?

Thanks, Gordon

Microsoft Security Essentials
http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/default.aspx

Make sure you get rid of all elements of Norton.

Download and run the Norton Removal Tool
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2005033108162039

 

[croy]

How can I go about checking what programs start up automatically when
booting Windows 7? I can't find anything like Start > Run >
autorun.exe that I seem to remember having on my older computers. Is
there a similar process for reviewing and changing what starts and
what doesn't start on boot-up?

Autoruns, from SysInternals (now part of Microsoft) may do
what you want.

It's part of the SysInternals Suite (free).

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb842062.aspx

 

[Nil]

Autoruns, from SysInternals (now part of Microsoft) may do
what you want.

It's part of the SysInternals Suite (free).

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb842062.aspx

I love that utility. It gives you quite a complete picture of what's
happening when you boot up, although I'm sure there are still some
processes that are invisible, based on the fact that newer versions of
Autoruns tend to show things it missed before.

I do think you need to be careful, though. You can easily disable or
delete important system processes that could interfere with normal
operation, maybe even keep Windows from starting. You can look, but
best to not touch stuff you're not sure of.

As Spiderman says, "With great power there must come great
responsibility,"

 

[Antares 531]

Microsoft Security Essentials
http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/default.aspx

Make sure you get rid of all elements of Norton.

Download and run the Norton Removal Tool
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2005033108162039

Thanks, Bruce and others who have responded to my questions. I still
have about a year and a half of my Norton subscription left, and I'm
wondering if removal would be the end of this. What I mean is, should
I end up wanting to go back to Norton, would the remainder of that
subscription still be available.

I'm looking at this whole scenario with a bit of anxiety. I'll have to
ruminate on it for a while before I make any irreversible decisions.

Gordon

 

[Kirk Bubul]

I still have about a year and a half of my Norton subscription left, and I'm
wondering if removal would be the end of this. What I mean is, should
I end up wanting to go back to Norton, would the remainder of that
subscription still be available.

About 3 weeks ago, I installed a new hard drive and installed Windows
7 from a new, previously unused retail installation disk. I also
installed anew all my applications including Norton Internet Security.
Sure enough, NIS didn't miss a day in telling me that I had about 150
days left on my license. My guess is that that record is associated
with my Product Key and kept on Symantec's database.

A number of years ago I reinstalled NIS in mid-license-year on a
computer and it started the one year license count over at 366 days.
Later I read somewhere that that was a trick to get more license time.
Doesn't work anymore.

To confirm my experience, ask Symantec tech support.

 

[XS11E]

Thanks, Bruce and others who have responded to my questions. I
still have about a year and a half of my Norton subscription left,
and I'm wondering if removal would be the end of this. What I mean
is, should I end up wanting to go back to Norton, would the
remainder of that subscription still be available.

I believe so, save your key information and you should be able to re-
install with no problem.

Or maybe this would be safer, see if you can stop Norton's scans and
live protection so it'll not be doing anything while you test MSSE.
I'm not sure you can do this but it's worth a try.

 

[arnold]

Thanks, Bruce and others who have responded to my questions. I still
have about a year and a half of my Norton subscription left, and I'm
wondering if removal would be the end of this. What I mean is, should I
end up wanting to go back to Norton, would the remainder of that
subscription still be available.

I'm looking at this whole scenario with a bit of anxiety. I'll have to
ruminate on it for a while before I make any irreversible decisions.

Gordon

I've read on a few newspaper help columns that Essentials is more than
adequate. Especially in relation to Norton. I've never installed it. I
have use AVG with good results.

My wife ran into a virus while using AVG on two occasions and I was able
to remove the virus without difficulty. BTW, AVG is free.

 

[Sir_George]

I've read on a few newspaper help columns that Essentials is more
than adequate. Especially in relation to Norton. I've never installed
it. I have use AVG with good results.

My wife ran into a virus while using AVG on two occasions and I was
able to remove the virus without difficulty. BTW, AVG is free.

BTY, MS security essentials is, also, free.

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

Thanks, Bruce and others who have responded to my questions. I still
have about a year and a half of my Norton subscription left, and I'm
wondering if removal would be the end of this. What I mean is, should
I end up wanting to go back to Norton, would the remainder of that
subscription still be available.

I'm looking at this whole scenario with a bit of anxiety. I'll have to
ruminate on it for a while before I make any irreversible decisions.

Gordon

I'm implicitly adding to several replies...

You can lapse Norton and reinstall it later and get the same expiration
date (or you could a year or two ago).

You can't safely run another security suite without completely
uninstalling Norton from the link Bruce Hagen gave.

I dropped Norton with time left on my license: they had annoyed me

 

[Bruce Hagen]

Thanks, Bruce and others who have responded to my questions. I still
have about a year and a half of my Norton subscription left, and I'm
wondering if removal would be the end of this. What I mean is, should
I end up wanting to go back to Norton, would the remainder of that
subscription still be available.

I'm looking at this whole scenario with a bit of anxiety. I'll have to
ruminate on it for a while before I make any irreversible decisions.

Gordon

You can accept this as my opinion, but I would never have anything from
Norton or McAfee on any machine of mine. Both are not Windows friendly
and both are resource hogs.

Since MSE and some other good free programs are freeware, what do you have
to lose? You already paid for Norton, but since MSE is freeware, go for
it. Don't think of it as a wasted expense, think of it as a learning
experience. (And you may have a lot more learning experiences if you keep
Norton on your machine).

I am not an MSFT advocate. IMO, they have screwed up a lot of programs
that people liked as they were. But I have been using MSE on my XP and
Win7 machines for about 2 years and cannot complain. I think that this is
one program that MS got right.

No matter what AV program you use, I advocate that everyone should have
these two freeware programs installed on their computer. A Trojan can slip
by the best of security programs, and these tools have a good chance of
bailing you out. You may not be able to get online to download them after
the fact.
--
Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP Oct. 1, 2004 ~ Sept. 30, 2010
Imperial Beach, CA


Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php

SpywareBlaster
http://download.cnet.com/SpywareBlaster/3000-8022_4-10196637.html

 

[Miles]

* Antares 531 wrote, On 07-Jul-11 15:09:

Thanks, Bruce and others who have responded to my questions. I still
have about a year and a half of my Norton subscription left, and I'm
wondering if removal would be the end of this. What I mean is, should
I end up wanting to go back to Norton, would the remainder of that
subscription still be available.

I'm looking at this whole scenario with a bit of anxiety. I'll have to
ruminate on it for a while before I make any irreversible decisions.

Gordon

I had Norton on my XP machine for years until I finally bit the bullet
-- even before they had the removal tool -- by going into the reg and
deleting all Norton & Symantec entries. Was extremely happy with the
computer after that and never looked back at the wasted money by not
letting Norton run it's course. It was a good program until Symantec
bought it!!

Now on a laptop with Win7 where HP adds it as crapware which I
couldn't remove fast enough. On XP had AVG and now on Win7 using
Avira antivirus and occasionally run a few others prior to a backup.
No difficulties whatsoever!
Miles

 

[Ken Blake]

I've read on a few newspaper help columns that Essentials is more than
adequate.

Microsoft Security Essentials? Yes, it's very good.

Especially in relation to Norton.

It's *much* better than Norton, which is one of the poorest choices
available, despite its popularity.

I've never installed it. I
have use AVG with good results.

AVG used to be one of the better choices. It no longer is.

My wife ran into a virus while using AVG on two occasions and I was able
to remove the virus without difficulty. BTW, AVG is free.

Yes, free, but not worth the money. <g> Microsoft Security Essentials,
Avast, and Avira are all also free, and all better than AVG.

 

[Antares 531]

My computer is currently set up with Norton Internet Security 2011,
with the latest on-line updates. This computer is running Microsoft
Windows 7, with the latest on-line automatic updates.

I've noticed frequent slow-down problems and I'm wondering if this
could be caused by Norton as it runs background scans, etc. Also, this
computer is very slow in coming out of hibernation or going through a
re-boot process.

I have an abundance of unused hard drive space, and RAM. I don't think
this is the source of the problems.

A friend of mine had the same problem and ended up removing Norton and
replacing it with Windows Essentials. Can anyone here provide me with
some further insights into this? Should I consider removing Norton and
replacing it with Windows Essentials? Is Windows Essentials already
installed as a part of my Windows 7 OS but perhaps inactivated or
otherwise suppressed?

Thanks, Gordon

One more set of questions...I previously had McAfee Anti-Virus
software installed on this computer. I did a Control Panel > Programs
and Features removal of the old McAfee setup, but now I'm wondering if
this was a satisfactory way to remove McAfee. Is there some way I
could check this out and make sure I get rid of all McAfee and all
Norton files, Registry entries, etc., before I download and install
Windows Essentials?

Can I use Control Panel > Programs and Features to remove the existing
Norton installation? That is would this do a thorough, complete
removal?

Gordon

 

[Bruce Hagen]

One more set of questions...I previously had McAfee Anti-Virus
software installed on this computer. I did a Control Panel > Programs
and Features removal of the old McAfee setup, but now I'm wondering if
this was a satisfactory way to remove McAfee. Is there some way I
could check this out and make sure I get rid of all McAfee and all
Norton files, Registry entries, etc., before I download and install
Windows Essentials?

Can I use Control Panel > Programs and Features to remove the existing
Norton installation? That is would this do a thorough, complete
removal?

Gordon

If you had Norton and McAfee previously installed, then use both of these.

Download and run the Norton Removal Tool
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2005033108162039

McAfee Consumer Products Removal Tool three-step fix
http://service.mcafee.com/FAQDocument.aspx?lc=1033&id=TS100507

 

[thanatoid]

You have to install it. You may want to look at NOD32,
which I have on my Vista machine. But I like Windows SE so
I don't think I am going to renewal
renew

NOD32 again.

<http://www.microsoft.com/nz/digitallife/security/microsoft-
security-essentials.mspx#>

Like someone write some time ago in another group, using MS
products for security is like hiring a pedophile to work in a
day care center.

ESET is the BEST, and you know it. MS may "look" nice, but it's
garbage and spyware.

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

If you had Norton and McAfee previously installed, then use both of these.

Download and run the Norton Removal Tool
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2005033108162039

McAfee Consumer Products Removal Tool three-step fix
http://service.mcafee.com/FAQDocument.aspx?lc=1033&id=TS100507

I recommend downloading those two tools and the installer for MSE before
starting the uninstallations.

Uninstall the Norton and the McAfee and install the MSE without having
to go online, or even if you do go online, the whole process will be
completed fairly quickly, thus more safely