MSE Update Utility is a simple app that updates Microsoft Security Essentials when Windows Update is disabled. Windows Update service is responsible for frequently updating MSE. But once it is disabled via Group Policy Editor, MSE won’t update anymore.
Microsoft’s idea for merging the MSE update with Windows Update is perhaps the biggest downside of MSE and the only workaround until today was to manually grab the latest virus definitions. Since MSE virus definitions are updated almost daily, the manual route was quite tiresome. This is where MSE Update Utility comes in.
From the main window you can select the update intervals, there are four options given – Daily, Weekly, Monthly, or Startup. I would recommend going for either Daily or let it remain the default(Startup).
Updating the virus definitions during startup is the best way to keep the system secure. It will automatically update the definitions and notify you when they are complete.
By default it is checked to run on startup, you can always uncheck this option later. MSE Update Utility is not for everyone, but if you fall in any one of the category below then it will come surely handy:
Users in corporate office environment where the network administrators have disabled the Windows Update.
Those having difficulty updating MSE using Windows Update due to some problem.
When Windows Update is disabled by a virus.
Note: This is the first stable release. If you would like to see some additional features, drop a comment below. It requires .Net Framework 3.x to run.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. The software wont update the virus definition?
A. Please make sure that the software is run with Administrator Privileges.
2. The software wont run on startup even though I have it enabled to run on startup?
A. Please disable your User Account Control (UAC) from the control panel. We do not recommend doing this if you are a novice user.
3. Where did the app get installed?
A. Straight in the C drive.
4. The app shows the definitions have been updated but MSE still shows old definitions?
A. Exactly, MSE will actually show the updates a few minutes after the app says update complete.
Special thanks goes to AddictiveTips Apps and Haseeb Ahmed for his help in programming the app!
Working links:
Downloads:
MSE Update Utility Installer
http://www.addictivetips.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/MSE%20Update%20Utility%20v1.1.msi
MSE Update Utility Zipped
http://www.addictivetips.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/MSE%20Update%20Utility%20v1.1.msi.zip
