If you use Microsoft's free and excellent anti-virus and anti-spyware product "Microsoft Security Essentials", you might already know that it updates its virus definition files using Windows Automatic Update.
If you have disabled Windows Automatic Update, MSE will not update the virus definitions. Then what to do in this case?
Don't worry! In this topic, we'll tell you how to update MSE virus definitions using a built-in MSE command? You don't need Automatic Update enabled to use this command.
=> Simply provide following command in Command Prompt or Startmenu Search box or Run dialog box:
For version 1.0:
"%programfiles%\Microsoft Security Essentials\MpCmdRun.exe" SignatureUpdateFor version 2.0:
"%programfiles%\Microsoft Security Client\Antimalware\MpCmdRun.exe" SignatureUpdate
It'll open a Command Prompt window which will show you a message "Signature update started...". It might take a few minutes depending upon the size of virus definition files.
You can also create a shortcut for the command and place it on Desktop or Quick launch toolbar or pin it to Windows 7 Taskbar. You can even schedule a task for the above mentioned command using Windows Task Scheduler.
This article was posted by VG in following section: Troubleshooting.
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Uewd
Hi VG,
We can also make it in context menu too.
http://www.askvg.com/how-to-add-program-shortcuts-and-other-useful-shortcuts-with-icons-in-windows-7-desktop-context-menu/
VG
^^ Of course.
EGA
thanks VG very useful :)
paulkev09
i can still update MSE with Windows Update set to "Manual"...but, this one looks easier than the usual way! thanks VG! from now on, i gonna use this method to update MSE's Virus and Spyware definition files.
mrd2
can u create a reg file to add Update Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) Virus Definitions
into desktop context menu....
thanks!
Veeck
Nice tip. Thanks VG
Uewd
The command must be updated!
for MSE 1.0: "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Security Essentials\MpCmdRun.exe" SignatureUpdate
for MSE 2.0: "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Security Client\Antimalware\MpCmdRun.exe" SignatureUpdate
Please update the topic.
VG
^^ Thanks for the heads up. Updated. :)
lifehacker
how can i hide the command prompt window?? any arguments, keywords, tricks to task scheduler??
VG
^^ You can create a new shortcut for the command and then enter into its Properties and set it to Minimized.