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)
