Microsoft Security Essentials bombs tests, loses AV-Test certificate

Use a 1-2 punch like a lot of people do.
MSE, and Malwarebytes or something similar.

I think you missed the subtlety of Mr Hansson's original post. I'm sure he's more than familiar with all of the free offerings. Yes, there are plenty of free alternatives to MSE. They all nag, with "Avira" being the most obnoxious of the "big three," (Avast, AVG, & Avira). IMO, "Avira" isn't worth installing, as the nags are that pervasive.

The beauty of MSE is, (or ostensibly was), there's no paid version they could nag you to buy, after you opted for the free one.

My understanding of "Windows Defender", is that it is targeted primarily at Windows OS files. So, arguably M$ is opting to protect its data, before yours. (And feel free to correct me on this if I'm wrong).

"Advanced System Care" which is a PC cleaner, has gone from tolerably cajoling you to purchase it, to outright, nagware / adware. I was forced to remove it, after giving in to its update nags. So, in the AV, cleaner, malware prevention, freeware arena, my experience has been that everybody's nagging more, and giving away less.

I haven't been recommended MSE since beginning. I have fixed a lot of people computers, and they always get problems with virus, trojans and malwares while they have MSE installed. MSE is a horrible product. I always suggest people to buy Kaspersky, but if they can't afford it then I recommend Avast. They never come back after I installed Kaspersky or Avast.... Perhaps I should keep install MSE to make money.

I really like it and this is dissapointing

You must admit, liking something that doesn't work is, well, a self defeating paradox.

Well, quoting sure sucks here, lol. I didn't write that.

Avast: Right click on TaskBar icon, select Silent Gaming mode... forget for 1 year... and as usual, be careful, no solution is perfect.[/quote]

The only time I recommended MSE, was to AVG goers. otherwise I always used either Avast or Avira. Avira's advertising made me stop using the program mind-you.

How exactly would you even go about creating a mess like that, let alone having it happen, "accidentally"?

We liked it back when it did work, and are just now finding out that it doesn't cut it anymore. That's why this is disappointing, but you knew that

I used to love avg 2013 antivirus free edition but lately virus definition updates always fail so I uninstalled and switched to avast antivirus free edition.

I use malware bytes pro and MSE and I never have a problem and they do not hog resources. Malware is only 25 a year very worth it

Your protection is bad and you should feel bad...

Lol, and here I haven't used virus protection for about 3 years.
I can't believe how many people here use it. And multiple types at once too!
I'm just careful I guess.

I've become accustom to installing MSSE and Malwarebyte's Antimalware. I will do a once a month scan with it, and I actually have a paid version of it too, but dont like to keep it running. I leave MSSE running on the other hand during all times as a light layer of protection. Sometimes I'll download Spybot Anti Spyware, but I find certain aspects of its protection annoying.

http://chart1.av-comparatives.org/awardslist.php?year=2012

Maybe they did not update the virus definition of MSE before performing the test

I have used most if the free antivirus programs. Avira is the best one I have used. It found stuff the others didn't. I used to have Norton 360. It wasn't as good as Avira free edition.

Aw. >_> Don't really feel like calling a hundred people to tell them to uninstall it xD

So basicly what you're saying, you can't use the best free AV solution because you have to spend 10 seconds every 12 months to register it?
What has this world come to...