Making the Switch: Moving from Sophos Anti-Virus to Microsoft Security Essentials on your personal computer

Are you receiving a message that "Sophos Anti-Virus version 7 is nearing retirement" on your personal computer?

The version of Sophos Anti-Virus for Windows available on our site will no longer be supported after March 2011. Information Technology has chosen to implement Microsoft Forefront Security on Windows for University owned computers. We recommend Microsoft Security Essentials for home and student personal Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7 computers which can be downloaded for free at -- http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials Instructions on downloading and installing the new software on your personal windows computer are posted below. Please do not attempt to upgrade your University owned computer, we will handle that for you.

Please note that Sophos Anti-virus for Macintosh will continue to be supported until June 30 and we are evaluating replacement options. The switch to Microsoft's anti-virus product will offer improved performance at a lower cost to the University.

Windows 7 & Windows Vista

Uninstall Sophos

  1. Click the Start Menu (Windows icon on the lower left corner of the screen)
  2. Select Control Panel on the right
  3. Click Programs and then click Programs and Features
  4. Once the list finishes updating, scroll down and select Sophos Anti-Virus
  5. Click Uninstall button at the top
  6. Click Yes to Uninstall
  7. If prompted by User Account Control, click Yes
  8. Once finished, follow steps 6 through 7 to remove Sophos AutoUpdate as well
  9. Uninstall any other anti-virus programs you may have installed using the same steps
  10. Once all anti-virus programs are uninstalled, restart your computer before moving on to the next steps

Download and Install Microsoft Security Essentials

  1. Open a web browser - Firefox or Internet Explorer
  2. Browse to -- http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials 
  3. Click the "Download Now" button in the middle of the page
  4. Make sure that the language is set to English and choose Windows Vista/Windows 7 32-bit or 64-bit depending on your computer
  5. To determine if you are using 32-bit or 64-bit, click on your Start Menu and then right click on Computer on the right and select Properties
  6. Under System Type it will say 32-bit Operating System or 64-bit Operating System
  7. Click Save File
  8. Choose your Desktop as the save location
  9. Once it finishes downloading, double click on the mseinstall.exe file on your desktop
  10. If prompted by User Account Control, click Yes
  11. Click Next
  12. Click I accept
  13. Select "I do not want to join the program at this time" and click Next
  14. Make sure that "If no firewall is turned on, turn on Windows Firewall (Recommended)" is checked and click Next
  15. Click Install
  16. Once finished, make sure the checkbox for "Scan my computer for potential threats after getting the latest updates" and click Finish
  17. Microsoft Security Essentials will then update and perform a scan on your computer

Windows XP

Uninstall Sophos

  1. Click the Start Menu
  2. Select Settings and then Control Panel
  3. Double Click "Add or Remove Programs"
  4. Once the list is populated, scroll down and click on Sophos Anti-Virus and click the Remove button
  5. Click Yes to remove Sophos from your computer
  6. Click No to Restart your computer later
  7. Select Sophos AutoUpdate and click the Remove button
  8. Click Yes to remove Sophos AutoUpdate from your computer
  9. Uninstall any other anti-virus programs you may have installed using the same steps
  10. Restart your computer

Download and Install Microsoft Security Essentials

  1. Open a web browser - Firefox or Internet Explorer
  2. Browser to -- http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials
  3. Click the "Download Now" button in the middle of the page
  4. Make sure that the language is set to English and select the "Windows XP 32-bit" operating system
  5. Save the file to your Desktop
  6. Once it finishes downloading, double click on the mseinstall.exe file on your desktop
  7. Click Run
  8. Click Next
  9. Click "I accept"
  10. Select "I do not want to join the program at this time" and click NextMake sure that "If no firewall is turned on, turn on Windows Firewall (Recommended)" is checked and click Next
  11. Click Install
  12. Click Finish
  13. Allow Microsoft Security Essentials to Update and run an initial scan of your computer