A while ago we recommended Microsoft Security Essentials (link here).
A recent update to Microsoft Security Essentials has started causing some problems on our computers and some client’s as well. It appears that since the update it has been using much more resources and slowing the computer way down. In some cases when task manager is opened it will be using as much as 250mb of system ram just idling. Makes Firefox look like it is light on resources huh?
This seems to only be related to our machines with Windows XP (Home/Pro/MCE) none of our Vista or Win7 systems have had this problem.
What we have tested and we recommend that you uninstall Microsoft Security Essentials and install Avira Free Edition
Download Here: http://www.free-av.com/en/trialpay_download/1/avira_antivir_personal__free_antivirus.html
Lets go through that installation process now: (see all screenshots)
Most of it will be Clicking Next until you get to the end.
Un-Check both boxes to avoid registering.
And we Click Finish.
We then go into the configuration wizard where we click Next until we reach here:
We want to Click Secure Start and click Next.
Click next until you see this screen open:
We want to set the Primary Action to “delete”.
Once you download and install Avira you will see some annoying nag screens every time it updates definition files.
Here is how to disable those:
We navigate to C:\Program Files\Avira\Antivir Desktop\
Right Click “avnotify.exe” and click Properties. Click the Security tab at the top. (if you don’t see it use Safe Mode)
Click on System and add a check for Deny under Read&Execute as shown in the picture below.
You will get a box that pops up Click Yes.
That is it, no more nag screens 
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