Laptop & Desktop

How to manually download 

the latest definition updates 

for Microsoft Security Essentials

Note You must have Microsoft Security Essentials installed to use the latest Microsoft Security Essentials virus and spyware definitions.

Before you install the correct version of the Microsoft Security Essentials virus and spyware definition updates, you must know:

• Whether Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7 is running in a 32-bit or a 64-bit operating environment.
• Whether you are logged on to Windows as an administrator.

Download the Microsoft Security Essentials virus and spyware definition update file that is appropriate for your version of Windows:

1. Click Run to install the definition update file immediately. Or, click Save to save the file to the computer. If you click Save, remember the folder where you saved the file.
2. To install the saved file, follow these steps:
   • Windows XP 
     Double-click the file, and then click OK.
   • Windows Vista or Windows 7 
     Right-click the file, and then click Run As Administrator. If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type the password, or click Continue.
3. When the definition update file runs, a file extraction dialog box appears. The dialog box indicates that the definition update is installing. After the file extraction dialog box closes, you can verify that the virus and spyware definitions were updated. To do this, open Microsoft Security Essentials, click Update, and then examine the virus and spyware definitions status.