Support for Microsoft Security Essentials

Help and support for Microsoft Security Essentials. Links to how-to articles, downloads, and answers to top issues.

Support options and resources

Find it myself

Self support options

Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base (KB)
Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base (KB) for technical solutions to common break-fix issues.

Get the latest service packs, updates and more
Visit the Microsoft Download Center to find the latest services packs, updates, trials and drivers.

Microsoft Safety & Security Center
Computer security, digital privacy and online safety.

Ask the community

Community resources

Microsoft Community
Post a question or browse for solutions in the Microsoft Security Essentials Community forums.

Microsoft Malware Protection Center blog
Provides a real-time method for the Microsoft Malware Response Center to communicate with customers. Topics include day-to-day, “behind the scenes” information about new, emerging and interesting malware threats as well as other research topics in the computer security field.

Get technical support

Technical support options

Get Microsoft technical support
Assisted technical support is not available for Microsoft Security Essentials. Please visit the Microsoft Security Essentials Answers community to post a question or browse for solutions in the Microsoft Security Essentials Community forums.

Answer Desk is an assisted support service available for you online or on the phone. All support services are provided by highly trained and friendly Answer Techs. We think we can resolve your virus problem with our Premium Software Support service. After diagnosing your issue, if appropriate, you will be offered the choice to purchase this service.
Get live assisted support for viruses

Get non-technical or customer service assistance
For general inquiries about Microsoft products and services visit our Contact Us page.

Top issues

Resolve issues with these top solutions

View the top support topics, general and how to topics and more
Visit the Security Essentials web site to get answers to the top support topics for Microsoft Security Essentials.

To ensure you are protected, download the latest definitions for Microsoft Security Essentials
If you encounter problems while trying to install definition updates, follow these steps to manually download and then install the latest definition updates.

Manually uninstall Microsoft Security Essentials if you cannot unistall it by using the Add or Remove Programs item
Attempting to upgrade and unable to remove the previous version of Microsoft Security Essentials? Learn how to manually uninstall Microsoft Security Essentials or have us Fix it for you!

Browse related solution centers

To learn more about related products or topics, click on a solution center listed below.

Last Review : February 7, 2013