INSTALL MICROSOFT SECURITY ESSENTIALS (MSE)

Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) is a no-cost security software for your PC from Microsoft. It can provide protection against all kinds of malware including viruses, trojans, worms and spyware. Unlike other free software, this also provides real-time protection. One can get an idea of what to expect from Microsoft Security Essentials from our earlier article Microsoft Security Essentials – What you need to know?.

Download

Microsoft Security Essentials is available in many languages for Genuine Windows XP 32-bit, Windows Vista/WIN7 32-bit and for Windows Vista/WIN7 64-bit.

Download Microsoft Security Essentials

Installation

Double click the downloaded setup file to start the installation.

Click Next to continue.

Read the license agreement and then click I accept to accept the MSE license agreement. You can also read the license agreement on the web at MICROSOFT SOFTWARE LICENSE TERMS MICROSOFT SECURITY ESSENTIALS.

Microsoft Security Essentials needs to validate your copy of Windows prior to installation. Click Validate to start the validation process.

Once the validation is complete, click Install to continue with the installation.

The following screen is displayed once the installation is complete:

Note that the option to download the latest updates and start a scan for potential threats is pre-checked. Click Finish.

MSE will immediately search for and download the latest virus and spyware definitions and will commence a quick scan of the PC.

To upgrade MSE

Once the initial update and quick scan are completed, its time to look for any upgrades available for the MSE software itself.

Expand “Additional help options” and click on Upgrade Microsoft Security Essentials. If an upgrade is available, let MSE download and install it.

WINDOWS XP SERVICE PACK 3

Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) is an important update that includes previously released security, performance, and stability updates for Windows XP.

How to get SP3

The recommended (and easiest) way to get SP3 is to turn on Automatic Updates, which can automatically download SP3 when it's available for your computer. You just need a few clicks to begin the installation and the rest of the process is automatic. If Automatic Updates isn't turned on, you can install SP3 by using Windows Update at the Windowswebsite.

In order to install SP3, you must first have Windows XP Service Pack 1a (SP1a) or Service Pack 2 (SP2) installed. These are also available when you have Automatic Updates turned on. For more information about these and other Windows service packs, go to the Service Pack Center.

To learn if Windows XP SP3 is already installed

• Click Start, right-click My Computer, and then click Properties.
  If Service Pack 3 is listed in the System section, SP3 is already installed on your computer and you don't need to follow the instructions below.
  Before you install SP3, we recommend you do the following:

  • Log on to your computer using an administrator account, make sure all other users are logged off of the computer, and close all open programs.
  • Back up your important files to an external location, such as an external hard disk, DVD or CD, or USB flash drive. For more information, see "Backing up files and folders" in Help and Support Center.
  • If you're using a laptop computer, connect it to an AC electrical outlet and don't unplug or restart the computer during installation.
  • If you have a third-party wireless network adapter, make sure that the device is supported by Windows XP SP3. For more information, go to the device manufacturer's website.
  • If your computer is running Windows XP Professional, we recommend that you create an Automated System Recovery (ASR) set. This can help repair your system if the installation fails. For more information, see "To create an Automated System Recovery set using Backup" in Help and Support Center. (ASR isn't available forWindows XP Home Edition.)
  • Some antivirus software might prevent SP3 from installing, or might slow down the installation. You can try temporarily disabling your antivirus software. If you do so, be sure that you're aware of the risks involved, and be sure to enable it after the service pack is installed.
  • Make sure you have enough free disk space to install SP3 (even though much of that space will be reclaimed after the installation). If you need to create free disk space, see "Using Disk Cleanup" in Help and Support Center.
    Amount of free disk space required to install SP3 (estimated):

    Installation method	Approximate free disk space required
    Windows Update	1,840 MB
    Downloading SP3 from the Microsoftwebsite	1,500 MB
    Installing SP3 from a CD	1,765 MB

  Installing SP3 using Windows Update (recommended)

  If your computer is set to automatically install updates, you'll be prompted by Automatic Updates to install SP3. Follow the instructions on the screen. If you aren't prompted to install SP3, follow these steps:

  To install SP3 using Windows Update

  1. Click Start, click All Programs, and then click Windows Update.
  2. Click Express (Recommended).
  3. If your computer is up to date, Windows XP SP3 will be one of the updates that is automatically selected. Click Install Updates. If your computer isn't up to date,Windows Update will offer some other updates that you have to install first. Install those, and then repeat steps 1 and 2 to obtain Windows XP SP3.
  4. Follow the instructions that appear on your screen.
  5. After the installation is complete, click Finish to restart your computer.
  6. If you disabled your antivirus software, enable it again.

  Manually installing SP3 using the Microsoft Download Center or a CD

  If you have problems obtaining the service pack from Windows Update, you can download SP3 as a standalone installation package from the Microsoft Download Center website, and then install SP3 manually. The installation package is intended for IT professionals and developers, but you can still download and install this file.

  You can also order a CD from Microsoft containing SP3. For more information, go to the Microsoft website.

  To manually install SP3 using the standalone installation package or a CD

  1. Do one of the following:
     • If you downloaded SP3 from the website, to install it immediately, click Openor Run and follow the instructions on your screen. To install the program later, click Save and download the installation file to your computer. When you're ready to install the service pack, double-click the file.
     • If you're installing SP3 from the Service Pack 3 CD, insert the disc into your computer with your current version of Windows XP running, and theSoftware Update Installation Wizard should automatically appear. If this wizard doesn't appear, click Start, double-click My Computer, right-click your CD or DVD drive, and then click AutoPlay.
  2. On the Windows XP Service Pack 3 page, click Next.
  3. Follow the instructions that appear on your screen.
  4. After the installation is complete, click Finish to restart your computer.
  5. If you disabled your antivirus software, enable it again.

  Uninstalling SP3

  If you installed SP3 yourself, you can uninstall it. However, if your computer came with SP3 already installed, it can't be uninstalled.

  To uninstall SP3

  1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
  2. Click Add or Remove Programs, click Windows XP Service Pack 3, and then clickRemove.
  3. Follow the instructions that appear on your screen.

  

  Warning

  If you choose to uninstall SP3, a dialog box displays a list of the programs that you installed after you installed SP3. If you continue, these programs might not work correctly.

  Help stay safe and keep your computer up to date

  Make sure you're taking advantage of all the ways that Windows can help keep your computer as secure and safe as possible:

  • Install an antivirus program. Antivirus programs scan for viruses trying to get into your e‑mail, operating system, or files, and can help protect your computer. To find an antivirus program, go to the Windows Security software providerswebpage on the Microsoft website.
  • Don't open e‑mail attachments. Many viruses are attached to e‑mail messages and will spread as soon as you open the e‑mail attachment. It's best not to open any attachment unless it's something you're expecting. Microsoft Outlook andWindows Mail can help block potentially dangerous attachments.
  • Use a firewall.‌ Windows Firewall or any other firewall program can help alert you to security threats. It can block viruses, worms, and hackers from attempting to download potentially harmful programs onto your computer.
  • Use the latest version of Internet Explorer. Internet Explorer 8 contains security and privacy improvements, such as SmartScreen Filter and InPrivate Browsing, which can help protect your computer so you can browse the web with more confidence. For more information, go to the Internet Explorer webpage on theWindows website.

HOW TO FORMAT AND REINSTALL WINDOWS 7

STEP INSTALLATION

Windows 7 is far better than previous windows versions (XP and Vista). The install process is plain simple and easy to follow. Big Bravo! for Microsoft for this. Now, just follow these steps and you will install windows 7 in no time

You can Install Windows 7 via DVD Disk you’ve purchased or with bootable USB.

This post explains installing windows 7 with dvd disk.

- 31 steps total, every step is screen-captured

First, insert your Windows 7 Boot Disk into your dvd drive and reboot your PC

While the PC is rebooting, you will be prompted ” Press any key to boot from CD…” Just press any key here

Install Windows 7 - Press any key

After you press a key, windows will load installation files.

Install Windows 7 - Windows is loading files

Windows 7 setup will start

Install Windows 7 - Starting Windows Setup

Select your language, time and currency format and keyboard input (US)

Install Windows 7 - First Setup Screen, input language, time and currency format and keyboard input method

Click Install Now to proceed

Install Windows 7 - Install Now Screen

Setup will load for a min or two

Install Windows 7 - Setup is starting

If you do, select I accept the license terms and click Next

Install Windows 7 - License Terms

If you are upgrading from Windows Vista select Upgrade, if you had Windows XP you have to select Custom (Advanced). Upgrade from Windows XP to Windows 7 is not available. Click Custom (Advanced)

Install Windows 7 - Custom Install

Select the Partition where you want to install Windows 7 and click Next. You will need at least 5716mb free space.

Install Windows 7 - Where do you want to install windows

If you don’t have enough free space to Install Windows 7, you will receive the following warning

Install Windows 7 - Not enough disk space warning message will appear

If that’s the case, you will need to format the partition where you previously had Operating System installed. WARNING: Formatting a partition will erase all existing data on the partition, proceed only if you have backed up all your files!

If you want to format the partition, go to Drive options

Install Windows 7 - Drive Options

and format the partition where you want to install windows 7. Again, do this only if you have backed up your documents/files!

click format and then yes

Install Windows 7 - Format Windows 7 Install Partition

After you press Next, Windows 7 Installation will begin. Approximately takes about 30 min to 1 hour to finish, depending on your computer speed.

Install Windows 7 - Setup running

After half an hour, setup is complete and windows 7 installation is almost finished. Few more minutes

Install Windows 7 - Setup Complete

Now your computer will reboot, since the Windows 7 DVD boot disk is still in the drive, the message press any key to boot from DVD will appear. We already did that, so this time DO NOT press anything. Just wait 5 sec and your PC will continue booting and finish installing your operating system.

Install Windows 7 - Setup Restarts

Install Windows 7 - Dont press anything this time

Windows will continue booting and installing, almost there!

Install Windows 7 - Windows starts to load

Install Windows 7 - loading...

Install Windows 7 - Completing Installation

Install Windows 7 - Setup is preparing your computer for first use

Finally!

Insert your name (this will be your windows username)

Install Windows 7 - Type a username

If you want to, insert password for your computer. ( Hey….you won’t forget it, right? :) )

Install Windows 7 - Type a password

Insert your Windows 7 product key and press Next

Install Windows 7 - Type your windows product key

Do you want Microsoft Updates for your new operating system? It is highly recommend you know…! Select use recommended settings

Install Windows 7 - Use Recommended Settings

It’s time for Time zone, select yours from the drop down menu

Install Windows 7 - Review your time and date settings

Depending on your location, select the appropriate network location.

Install Windows 7 - Computer location select network

If you have more than 1 computer, type homegroup password for sharing files. Make sure to remember it

Install Windows 7 - Type homegroup password

Windows is finalizing your settings

Install Windows 7 - Windows is finalizing your settings

Can you see the finish line ? Yup, we’re there

Install Windows 7 - Welcome screen

That’s it. Now insert your computer manufacturer drivers CD and install drivers. Also FYI, Windows 7 has great driver support, go to Start –> Control Panel –> Select View By = Small Icons –> Click Windows Update

Install Windows 7 - Windows Update

Check for updates and click on optional updates, to see which drivers windows 7 found for your computer automatically.