Why is Microsoft Security Essentials Definition Update being listed as "Optional" under the Automatic Windows Update? You actually have to choose it to be downloaded (since it is listed as optional), instead of MSE/Windows automatically downloading the definition. If you do not manually select it to be downloaded, Windows will not automatically download the MSE definition. Isn't it odd that a security definition update for MSE be listed as "Optional" in terms of "importance?" This happens in both Windows 7 and Windows Vista OS. Any reasons or answers?

"They are marked optional in Windows Update because if they are ignored MSE will install the definitions at its regular daily update check." (official answer from http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/msestart/thread/b5594cea-93b4-4320-8cbb-edc59a0948cc) Even if many people set their Windows Update (incl. MS Update) settings to "check for updates and notify..." instead of "install updates automatically", I would strongly recommend the automatic setting. It's safer when MSE checks and updates the virus signatures every time you start the computer (before you can do anything in Windows) than when it updates according to its own daily schedule. The difference is not huge but existent."192 GB ought to be enough for anybody." (from the miniseries "Next Generation's Jokes")

Maybe I'm missing the point. Why does it even appear in Windows Update? When I was using 'BitDefender', it would check when I logged on and then every hour thereafter to see if there were updates to the definitions and would update them without any user intervention . When I check MSE's status on the 'Home' page, it states that "Virus and Spyware definitions are up to date". Then, if I check for updates on the 'Update' page, it goes off and gets the needed update, even though the 'Home' page said it was current. MSE does not seem to do an update unless a scheduled scan is about to take place. I've left it alone for days on end, and it doesn't seem to go off to get an update, even though it has fallen behind by several updates. That seems a little irresponsible and risky. I've found that anything left to the discretion of the user, will be forgotten or ignored(out of sight, out of mind). Please. Take it out of the users responsibility and do an automatic(mandatory) update every sixty minutes. Thanks for your support, Leighton

You're wrong. My experience is: If you've installed MSE and don't do anything (change settings etc.), it will update (or search for updates) every time you're starting Windows. If you're online for a certain amount of time, you'll get a notification about "optional updates" available (if you search for it = "check updates"), that is: In the meantime, there are (minor) updates to the virus definitions available. That's all. Usually, the first check (when starting Windows) is enough, the virus signatures don't change so often."192 GB ought to be enough for anybody." (from the miniseries "Next Generation's Jokes")

You're wrong. My experience is: If you've installed MSE and don't do anything (change settings etc.), it will update (or search for updates) every time you're starting Windows. If you're online for a certain amount of time, you'll get a notification about "optional updates" available (if you search for it = "check updates"), that is: In the meantime, there are (minor) updates to the virus definitions available. That's all. Usually, the first check (when starting Windows) is enough, the virus signatures don't change so often. I'm wrong?? Obviously we are seeing two different versions of reality. As I stated, in my world, if left alone, it does nothing. The 'Home' screen says "Virus and Spyware definitions are up to date". It isn't until I force an update on the 'Update' screen that it will actually do an update. Even after multiple reboots during the course of the day, 'Windows Update' doesn't alert me to an update. Please note that I DO NOT have Windows Update set to 'Auto'. I prefer to know when and what is being installed on my PC. I don't get a 'Windows Update' notification that there is an 'Optional' update available. If the update were listed as 'Recommended ' instead of 'Optional ', it might give me a notification. My point is that I don't think that it should be an OPTION. It should just be installed by MSE for my own good, not left to the users discretion under 'Windows Update'. It also seems silly to clutter-up the 'WU Installation History' with all of the mundane updates to MSE definition files. Please take that into consideration. Thanks, Leighton

At first, when MSE v2.0 came out, definition updates were labeled as "Recommended". Windows Update on auto settings checks daily (or maybe even more frequent) and installs updates labeled "Recommended" or "Important" automatically, without any user input. As there are several definition updates a day, letting Windows Update install them automatically seems the way to go. But lately all definition updates for MSE have reverted to optional. MSE's default update settings, as far as I know, are to check for updates before every scan and scan once a week (2am every sunday). This means virus definions are updated every week. With threats on the internet evolving very rapidly, once a week is not nearly enough. As somebody else said earlier, why not let Windows Update do its job? It checks daily anyways.

Please note that I DO NOT have Windows Update set to 'Auto'. I prefer to know when and what is being installed on my PC. I don't get a 'Windows Update' notification that there is an 'Optional' update available. My point is that I don't think that it should be an OPTION. It should just be installed by MSE for my own good, not left to the users discretion under 'Windows Update'. It also seems silly to clutter-up the 'WU Installation History' with all of the mundane updates to MSE definition files. Please take that into consideration. Thanks, Leighton kickee, I reiterate, why not let MSE take care of business and apply the update without the user being involved(hourly, as BitDefender does)? Why get WU involved at all? Thanks, Leighton