first why do you have AVG manually updated? it should automatically update daily or as often as it needs so that it has the very latest definitions. It should also be set to do scans automatically on schedule.

If you choose to change to MSE you will need to use the specific AVG removal tool to get it off the pc you can find it here.
Antivirus Product Removal Tools

superantispyware would not bother the equation either way since it is an on demand scanner.

A user with minimum bandwidth via a DUN is an example of a manual update process. Until I was finally able to recently convert from a DUN to a 3G network this process was mandatory.

DA

Jean I installed MSE almost as soon as it came out in the final version and have no reason to want to change. I have no other safety program on this, my main computer. That is not to say anyone should follow suit and only have one. My wife's computer has MSE and Malwarebytes but I cannot remember the last time I ran a scan with that for her. I do update it occasionally of course.

Last week for the first time MSE had a small fit, it did not auto update and I had to do it manually. Since then it has behaved itself. However, having a small glitch like that can tell us things, it placed an orange icon on my taskbar informing me of the issue so now I am comforted by knowing I can expect that icon in times of trouble.

As with any free program you can install it to try and if you are unhappy it can easily be removed.

Okay, I checked back w/my AVG. I did have it set to automatically update & scan. (Sorry; forgot that.)

Will that be as reliable as MS Security Essentials? In this case, I'm thinking about my husband's computer. I need the most fail-safe program possible there as it's his computer that gets into trouble rather than mine. (I pay attention; he's more lax & sometimes unaware.) But I'm always the one who has to fix his machine! (sigh)

Basically all the well known brands of anti virus and all the anti malware are good programs. People just have preferences for whatever reason or no reason at all.

I used AVG for many years and was very happy with it even when 'experts' said it was losing it's edge. There were a couple of quirks came along and I moved. Tried and liked Avast, Avira, Comodo all with success, or I suppose it was because I never got infected.

When MSE was launched I had read very good reviews and decided to move again. There has very little negative press regarding this program even though it belongs to the dreaded Microsoft folks :~)

For someone who is rather lax with using and updating security programs, I would recommend installing MSE. I have a friend who was constantly having problems with keeping security programs updated and running scans, so I installed MSE for her and she has had no further problems. As owbist pointed out, it will remind you via the icon turning orange of either a missing update or a scan that needs to be done.

Thank you, All, for the feedback. Once again, you've clarified things.