Using Security Essentials in Windows 10, vs. Windows Defender?

Question

So I upgraded from Windows 7 to 10, last month. I was running Security Essentials in 7, and to my surprise it is still running in 10. I was under the impression that MSE was incompatible with 10 and that it would be removed automatically and replaced by WD. Well, it's still running, it seems to be still updating its definitions, and doing its automatic scheduled scans just as it has always done before.

I didn't think too much about this before, but I notice that after every reboot, I always get the message "Windows Defender has been turned off and isn't monitoring your system. If you're using another app to check for malicious or unwanted software, use Action Center to check that app's status." So checking Action Center shows that MSE is running properly, but if so, why should I get the warning about Defender?

Answer 1

The plot thickens...

Q: When (exact date, preferably) did you upgrade to Win10?

A: 8/15/2016 2:51:38 AM

The upgrade was offered via Windows Update, but I had updated through an installation DVD created through Media Creation Tool.

Note: The free upgrade offer expired on 29 July 2016 (even if you were upgrading manually).

1. What Win10 version & build is currently installed? See http://www.howtogeek.com/236195/how-to-find-out-which-build-and-version-of-windows-10-you-have/
2. Have you validated the install of Win10 yet?
3. By any chance, had you upgraded to Win10 on or prior to 29 Jul-16, rolled back to Win7, and then upgraded to Win10 again on 15 Aug-16?

Answer 2

The plot thickens...

Q: When (exact date, preferably) did you upgrade to Win10?

A: 8/15/2016 2:51:38 AM

The upgrade was offered via Windows Update, but I had updated through an installation DVD created through Media Creation Tool.

Note: The free upgrade offer expired on 29 July 2016 (even if you were upgrading manually).

1. What Win10 version & build is currently installed? See http://www.howtogeek.com/236195/how-to-find-out-which-build-and-version-of-windows-10-you-have/
2. Have you validated the install of Win10 yet?
3. By any chance, had you upgraded to Win10 on or prior to 29 Jul-16, rolled back to Win7, and then upgraded to Win10 again on 15 Aug-16?

1. Win 10 Pro (Build 10240)
2. Yes
3. Yes. I actually didn't use the roll-back option of Win 10 to get back to Win 7, I just used my Macrium Reflect image backups to restore back to Win 7, at that time.

Answer 3

I upgraded from Windows 7 to 10, last month...

1. When (exact date, preferably) did you originally (i.e., first) upgrade to Win10 manually?
2. When (approx. date) did you restore the Win7 image?
3. When (approx. date) was the Win7 image created?
4. Is Windows Defender still disabled?
5. Is KB3186987, KB3176492, KB3163912, KB3163017, and/or KB315638 listed in Installed Updates (not Update History)? [1]
6. How about KB3172729, KB3172983, KB3172987, KB3159635, and/or KB3125217?
7. Is Adobe Flash Player v22.0.0.209 (or higher) installed? TEST HERE USING INTERNET EXPLORER OR EDGE ONLY! => http://www.adobe.com/software/flash/about/ 
8. Is Firefox version 48.0.1 (or higher) and/or Google Chrome version 52.0.2743.116(or higher) or any other alternate browser installed?
9. Are you in the habit of using "Registry cleaners" (e.g., CCleaner's Registry Cleanercomponent; Registry Mechanic; System Mechanic; RegCure; RegClean Pro; Advanced SystemCare; Total System Care; Advanced System Optimizer; Comodo System Cleaner; Glary Utilities; Registry Booster; McAfee QuickClean; AVG Quick Clean; AVG PC TuneUp; Norton Registry Cleaner; Norton PC Tuneup; PCTools Optimiser; SpeedUpMyPC; FixMyPC; PC Doctor; TuneUp Utilities; WinMaximizer; WinSweeper; Wise Care 365; Wise Cleaner; etc.)?

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[1] Control Panel | Programs and Features | View installed updates (in left-hand menu)

Answer 4

I upgraded from Windows 7 to 10, last month...

1. When (exact date, preferably) did you originally (i.e., first) upgrade to Win10 manually?
2. When (approx. date) did you restore the Win7 image?
3. When (approx. date) was the Win7 image created?
4. Is Windows Defender still disabled?
5. Is KB3186987, KB3176492, KB3163912, KB3163017, and/or KB315638 listed in Installed Updates (not Update History)? [1]
6. How about KB3172729, KB3172983, KB3172987, KB3159635, and/or KB3125217?
7. Is Adobe Flash Player v22.0.0.209 (or higher) installed? TEST HERE USING INTERNET EXPLORER OR EDGE ONLY! => http://www.adobe.com/software/flash/about/ 
8. Is Firefox version 48.0.1 (or higher) and/or Google Chrome version 52.0.2743.116(or higher) or any other alternate browser installed?
9. Are you in the habit of using "Registry cleaners" (e.g., CCleaner's Registry Cleanercomponent; Registry Mechanic; System Mechanic; RegCure; RegClean Pro; Advanced SystemCare; Total System Care; Advanced System Optimizer; Comodo System Cleaner; Glary Utilities; Registry Booster; McAfee QuickClean; AVG Quick Clean; AVG PC TuneUp; Norton Registry Cleaner; Norton PC Tuneup; PCTools Optimiser; SpeedUpMyPC; FixMyPC; PC Doctor; TuneUp Utilities; WinMaximizer; WinSweeper; Wise Care 365; Wise Cleaner; etc.)?

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[1] Control Panel | Programs and Features | View installed updates (in left-hand menu)

1. That was too long ago, it was more than 4 months ago.
2. Restored back to Windows 7 the day after installing it originally.
3. The image was created just an hour before I attempted that upgrade to Win 10.
4. Yes, that's why I'm here.
5. KB3186987, KB3176492 (yes), KB3163912, KB3163017, and/or KB315638 (the rest are no).
6. KB3172729 (yes), KB3172983, KB3172987, KB3159635, and/or KB3125217 (yes) (the rest are no).
7. "You have version 22,0,0,209 installed"
8. Firefox 48.0.2
9. I use CClean for file system cleanup, but not for registry cleanup. Don't use any of the others.

Where exactly are you going with these questions? Especially #7 through #9, they seem like random irrelevant questions. I'm willing to answer standard tech support background questions, but there needs to be a purpose behind them.

Answer 5

1. More than 4 months ago
2. Restored back to Windows 7 more than 4 months ago
3. The image was created before upgrading to Win10 manually more than 4 months ago
4. Yes
5. Only KB3176492
6. KB3172729 and KB3125217 only
7. Yes
8. Firefox 48.0.2
9. CCleaner but no Registry Cleaner component.

Where exactly are you going with these questions?

Long story, short version: If you'd attempted to upgrade to Win10 via Windows Update"more than 4 months ago," I suspect the upgrade may have failed. Why it may have failed doesn't really matter now - especially since (a) Defender still is not working, (b) KB3186987 (released 19 Aug-16) is not installed, and (c) neither Win10 1511 nor Win10 1607 have been offered to the computer.

I'd recommend rolling back to Win7, if it's not too late. Then you could try uninstalling MSE before upgrading manually to Win10 again.

Or you could just "reinstall" Win7 using your image & stick with it.

I'm willing to answer standard tech support background questions...

You may obtain Microsoft-sponsored (but not necessarily free) support via the Answer Desk => http://answerdesk.microsoftstore.com

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DISCLAIMER: Posted AS IS with no guarantees. MS MVPs are volunteers who neither represent nor work for Microsoft.