Microsoft Security Essentials provides protection against viruses, spyware, and other malicious software. Security Essentials scans your computer for threats and keeps out new threats. Security Essentials does not come installed on the computer, but is available as a free download from Microsoft.
Opening Microsoft Security Essentials
To open Microsoft Security Essentials, click Start, click All Programs, and then click Microsoft Security Essentials.
Home tab
The Home tab displays the status of real-time protection as well as virus and spyware definitions. You can perform a quick, full, or custom scan from the Home tab.
Figure : Home tab
Update tab
The Update tab displays the status of the virus and spyware definitions. Click Update to check for updates.
Figure : Update tab
History tab
The History tab displays all the items that Security Essentials detects as potentially harmful and the action taken on each item.
Figure : History tab
Settings tab
Use the Settings tab to schedule a scan, set default actions, turn on or off real-time protection, exclude files, folders or processes, and manage Microsoft SpyNet membership. For more information, see
Changing settings in Microsoft Security Essentials.
Figure : Settings tab