I've been running with MS Security Essentials for a while, and it's mostly fine, but every once in a while it starts chewing CPU cycles. I presume this is a scan or something, but when it does this, Media Center gets very nonresponsive, and recordings start stuttering. I'm tempted to just shut it off, but of course than I'm without a net and that makes me nervous. I've also read recently that Security Essentials isn't a great choice anymore.
So I was wondering if anyone had any opinions on the best Anti-virus software to use. I want something light, and ideally something that can intelligently schedule the scans so they don't happen when I might be recording a show.
Anti-virus options?
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I run MSE on everything I have, including my HTPC, and have never had any issues. Certainly never seen Media Center have any performance issues because of it.
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That used to be the case for me! But every once in a while (I haven't been keeping track, but I feel like once every couple of weeks) I'll notice that msmpeng.exe is using about 85%+ CPU. I can't kill it, it says access denied.Bryan wrote:I run MSE on everything I have, including my HTPC, and have never had any issues. Certainly never seen Media Center have any performance issues because of it.
I don't really want to spend a lot of time troubleshooting why MSE isn't working. I tried that, thought I had a fix, and the issue came back. I'm just interested in getting an alternative product that will work, so I don't have to worry about it.
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Set update and scan to run when you are sleeping.
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Here's some test results that may be helpful.
I use Avast Free on the HTPC. IIRC it was rated somewhat higher last year. MSE has always been at the bottom of this list.
http://www.av-test.org/en/
Here's some more tests. Click on the September results for the latest.
http://www.av-comparatives.org/dynamic-tests/
I use Avast Free on the HTPC. IIRC it was rated somewhat higher last year. MSE has always been at the bottom of this list.
http://www.av-test.org/en/
Here's some more tests. Click on the September results for the latest.
http://www.av-comparatives.org/dynamic-tests/
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Thanks, Mike88! I'll look into Avast.Mike88 wrote:Here's some test results that may be helpful.
I use Avast Free on the HTPC. IIRC it was rated somewhat higher last year. MSE has always been at the bottom of this list.
http://www.av-test.org/en/
Here's some more tests. Click on the September results for the latest.
http://www.av-comparatives.org/dynamic-tests/