Turn Off Anti-virus?

14 years ago

I've downloaded Thunderbird and want to install it on my PC.

I know I used to have to turn off any anti-virus programs I had in order to install software. I did a search on Google, but all I could find is how to install Thunderbird, nothing about whether anti-virus needs to be turned off.

I currently have AVAST installed, and tried searching there also, with the same results. Is that still true?

Using Win XP SP3.

Thanks

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Comments (5)

ravencajun Zone 8b TX
14 years ago
I don't think you need to turn it off to install thunderbird.
kudzu9
14 years ago
I generally never disable my antivirus when installing a program. I can't remember the last time a program specifically said that I had to. Your default assumption should always be that you leave your antivirus turned on unless there is a very specific instruction, and you are sure it is a 100% legitimate install. Further, I think it is highly unlikely these days that anything bad will happen if you leave it on and there is a conflict. At worst, the install might not complete. In addition, when installing any software, besides being sure it is from a reliable source, always save it first and scan it with your antivirus before doing the install...just to be as safe as possible.
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I personally use the free AVAST but have installed the free MSE for others both are great choices. Just make sure you use the proper tools to remove the antivirus programs on the pc now because you can have real problems if there is more than one. Most AV companies have a special removal tool. Antivirus Product Removal Tools If he put the trial version of Kaspersky on I sure hope he fully removed the Trend Micro first. IF not you will need to fully remove both of those. Using appremover may be your best bet and would be what I would do. free AppRemover utility this link tells all that appremover will remove Supported Applications Using AppRemover
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The attached link will take you to a recent PCmag.com competitive evaluation of AV products. PCmag (formerly PC Magazine) and in particular the author of this study are well known and have long-held reputations for being unbiased. Neil Rubenking's expertise has been recognized for 25 years or more. Flip through the article, you'll see they rate both free and for-sale systems. The Microsoft product gets consistently mediocre ratings in most comparison testing and evals. This author, as many others you'll find, suggests there are better choices. If you'd rather have a comprehensive security suite, here's another recent article Rubenking wrote. Note that the prices shown are probably MSRP, most of these can be purchased for substantially less money than what's shown. http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2369749,00.asp Here is a link that might be useful: Anti virus ratings
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The links below will take you to ratings/rankings done by PC Mag based on a compilation of objective testing done by several independent labs. PC Mag has been a respected name in the industry for decades. The free ones aren't necessarily equivalent to the non-free ones and the ones that charge are not all necessarily better. Many internet service providers, whether a cable company or a phone company, provide free security software (often top performing McAfee or Symantec's Norton, which are otherwise not free) to customers. Check and see if yours does. Even if you choose one of the not-free ones, the cost is nominal compared to the cost of having to pay an expert to fix an infected machine. The best security system available for everyone is free and is the user - YOU. Follow safe internet practices and common sense and you'll not have any problems. Modestly priced security software Free security software
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DA_Mccoy
14 years ago
I've been using TB for a couple of years now and never had to disable my AV during its installation or its updating on my Vista with AVG. In fact, I can't remember the last time I had any application install require me to disable the AV. Really don't like the thought.

DA
corrine_mvp
14 years ago
The reason it used to be advised to disable antivirus programs when installing software was to prevent it from interfering. The concept was that something was making changes to the computer and the A/V tried to prevent those changes.

With the advent of Windows Vista and UAC, requiring elevation approval for programs to access/change system files this is no longer necessary. There is one time when it is generally still recommended to disable A/V and that is when installing a Service Pack.

There are also times when, during malware cleanup, we recommend disabling security programs so they don't interfere with the process. There is a fairly comprehensive article at TSF that covers most programs, linked below.

Here is a link that might be useful: How to disable your security applications
secsteve
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks all for the help.

When I did have to turn off the virus protection, I always made sure I was disconnected from the internet and that I had checked the program (as kudzu noted) with my virus program.

I know I can always rely on getting the info I need here.

Thanks again all. I'll be installing TB today then.

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Turn Off Anti-virus?

Comments (5)

ravencajun Zone 8b TX

kudzu9

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Turn Off Anti-virus?

Comments (5)

ravencajun Zone 8b TX

kudzu9

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secsteveOriginal Author

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