I keep getting a system message, no anti-virus detected, when I have MSE?

[PsychoeDial]

I have Microsoft Security Essentials installed as my antivirus. It's already installed in the computer I'm using. However, every now and then I get this system message that says there is no anti-virus detected.
I find that odd since MSE is part of the same system that claims it can't detect it.
I'm wondering if MSE is the best protection given all that. I availed myself of the link in that system message regarding searching for an anti-virus on-line. Below are those programs.
Does anyone have experience with those? Which would you say is superior?
I've checked with websites that rate the best one's and they all have different programs and ratings so I'd prefer personal experience feedback if you would. Thank you.



Avira
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Chili Security
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AVG Technologies
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eScan
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Avast Free Antivirus
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Microsoft Security Essentials
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TrustPort, a.s.
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PCKeeper
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CharityAntivirus
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Panda Security
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ThreatTrack Security
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F-Secure
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Preventon
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Bitdefender
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360 Total Security
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MYSecurityCenter
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List continued below​

 

[PsychoeDial]

Emsisoft
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G DATA Software AG
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Eset
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Norton by Symantec
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K7 Computing
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Tencent PC Manager
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Kaspersky Lab AO
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Intel Security
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Spamfighter
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BullGuard
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Dr.Web
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QuickHeal
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Ad-Aware
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PC Matic
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Comodo
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Webroot
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[Wookiee]

I have Microsoft Security Essentials installed as my antivirus. It's already installed in the computer I'm using. However, every now and then I get this system message that says there is no anti-virus detected.
I find that odd since MSE is part of the same system that claims it can't detect it.

What version of Windows it it? Sometimes all you need to do is uninstall and reinstall it. If it's 8/10 in theory it should be running.

I'm wondering if MSE is the best protection given all that. I availed myself of the link in that system message regarding searching for an anti-virus on-line. Below are those programs.
Does anyone have experience with those? Which would you say is superior?
I've checked with websites that rate the best one's and they all have different programs and ratings so I'd prefer personal experience feedback if you would. Thank you.

At my previous workplace we used Avira and Avast to scan infected computers. They had a fairly high detection rate. I've never used either realtime personally, but they do a good job. As does AVG. The problem with all three is that the free versions are loaded with ads for their products - AVG in particular is starting to get intrusive.

With the exception of BitDefender and Vipre (never used Vipre myself, but a friend of mine who manages IT for a large corporation was using it's enterprise product) I'd be extremely hesitant to even install any of those products.

As for the second post Norton is terrible and I've never trusted ESET. Kaspersky and McAfee aren't that great either. We use Webroot at the school I manage IT at, but I've never really seen any of the guts of it as itself and the network get managed by our head office. But it doesn't seem too terrible.

 

[Vince53]

Assuming that you're running either 7, 8, or 10, you have to be running an AV program. These operating systems turn it on if nothing else is running.

Go into Control Panel and check the Security Center to see what AV is operating.

 

[PsychoeDial]

Thank you both.
Great insight there too Wookiee. I'd have had to go through a lot to find out what you've just shared. Real time protection is paramount I'd think even for free versions of AV's.

I did check and the MSE is running. I don't know why the system doesn't detect its own AV.
That's why I was wondering if maybe MSE is an inferior AV? Or if it provides enough protection overall? I know that the system information says it MSE will be turned off if another AV is installed and so as to avoid conflicts. I just can't figure if that will happen how that same system doesn't first know MSE is there so as to now give me these messages that I don't have an AV (MSE) installed.

 

[paul1149]

Was your Win10 an upgrade from Win7 with MSE installed? Sometimes MSE doesn't transfer well. It runs in the background, but is not listed and cannot be accessed, and is impossible to uninstall normally.

I used to use MSE, but began to find it hogging resources on many a machine. I switched to Panda Free, which is excellent. I've used it on hundreds of units with only one incompatibility. You may be able to uninstall MSE using an uninstall utility. Anything but IOBit is good, IME.

 

[football5680]

MSE is good enough so you don't need to get any new program. Sometimes computers will come with a free trial of some other kind of Anti-Virus program and this program would disable MSE because it is unnecessary to have 2 Anti-Virus programs. If this is the case then you would simply have to enable MSE and make it your primary Anti-Virus program. If you do this then you can uninstall the other.

 

[PsychoeDial]

Thank you Paul and Football.
I just ran a Microsoft Fix-It scan and first thing it came up with as a problem in my system is , no anti-virus.
I think I'll check the Panda Free and see what it says about real-time protection etc...

Just to run a scan if nothing else and see if my system is clear.
Thank you all again for your insight and advice.