Experts recommend that the update setting on security programs be "automatic". With that setting, updates will be pushed out no less frequently than weekly and sometimes more often when needed. An out of date security program offers no security. Threats arise, get detected and then get described daily. Severe risks get pushed out right away. An out of date signature file is really looking for last year's/last month's problems instead of today's problems.

Mission accomplished: Windows downloaded 66 changes 209 MB this morning - maybe during the night, and I turned on Install, which took at least 30 minutes, and was successful. So, what was done? 1) I went to auto update with install manual a couple of days ago. That resulted in Windows Update recognizing the need to update but it was unable to download. 2) Ran deep scan Windows Defender and Avira (in parallel) and that took many hours..it had completed this morning and neither indicated any problems, with Avira listing 1 "warning" only. 3) Ran Windows Update and it indicated 66 @ 209 MB I clicked on install and the progress window reported "download" which lasted too short a time to download 209 MB at my DSL speed, the progress then indicated installing step-by-step and completed after about 30 minutes. During the early steps in the install I took note of my WiFi bit counter and noted only administrative communications indicating auto update had downloaded the updates during the night. I guess that's how update works when the manual approval is set. Ravencajun, sorry about Malwarbytes I recall reading your recommendation and, unfortunately, as I didn't have Malwarebytes on that netbook I translated to running what was installed: Avira and Defender..seems that help or fixed the problem I will get a copy of Malwarbytes on that machine, assume it is easy to find and download. Question on Windows Defender: I have had the WD Icon on my desktop, in fact all my desktops (XP, 7, and 7 Starter) but I am unable to place it here. The netbook in fact didn't have it on the desktop, but it had a copy, and I am able to copy the Icon to the tool bar (bottom) but not to the desktop, strange to my mind. Is defender running from startup? or is it a passive program that has to be ran manually? Thanks for the help, as it now stands the Netbook is up-to-date on 7 Starter.

I don't know the background of your major system issues but I can contribute that Windows does not permit Defender and Security Essentials to run on the same system at the same time. Pick one or the other...but not both. If Security Essentials won't install...it's likely that Defender has been activated. Go to Control Panel > Options > Windows Defender and check. Then check Programs and Features. If Security Essentials is still running on your system...it will be listed there. If you no longer wish to use it...click on it and Remove it. If you want Security Essentials rather than Defender...deselect Defender and try reinstalling Security Essentials.

Both Android and the Apple operating systems for phones and tablets aren't 100% safe (nothing in life is) but they're both sitting on customized versions of Linux (which has pretty tight security features). I've never heard of anyone having a problem with either types of devices but I'm sure it happens, however rarely. The best security is a careful user, no matter what device is involved.