Installing Microsoft Security Essentials software

Q I would like to install Microsoft Security Essentials but already have AVG Free installed on my Windows XP computer. Should I uninstall AVG before installing Security Essentials or will this leave my computer vulnerable to attack?

B Sandford

A There is slight risk of vulnerability when moving to a different anti-virus program because the old one must be uninstalled but it is not hard to reduce the risk as far as possible. The download from the Microsoft Security Essentials site is the full software and doesn’t need an internet connection during installation.

Once the download has completed, disconnect your computer from the internet. If you are unsure how to do this in Windows, remove the network cable from the back of your computer or disconnect any wireless adapters. Alternatively unplug the modem or router from the power until you are ready to connect again.

Click on the Start button and then Control Panel. Click on Add or Remove Programs. Scroll down the list to AVG Free, left-click on it once and then click on the Remove button that appears. Follow the uninstallation wizard. A restart of the computer is required to complete the removal.

Once Windows is up and running again, double-click on the downloaded file to install Microsoft Security Essentials. The Windows Validation stage will work without being connected to the internet. Reconnect to the internet once the installation has finished so that updates can be downloaded and installed.

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