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For those who have Windows Live Essentials installed and seeing problems with popup and no essentials icon on reboot-a fix for now
For those who have Windows Live Essentials installed and seeing problems with popup and no essentials icon on reboot-a fix for now
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it seems that if you have Windows Live Essentials on your computer (live email and windows live messenger or any of the other live products) it interfers with this particular folder C:program files/Microsoft /Enhancement Pack and on reboot this folder pops up. Also you will loose the Essentials icon in the task bar
What i did to fix this after searching the web
Open and run regedit
Navigate to HKey_local_machine
Software
Microsoft
Search Enhancement Pack
Choice Guard
from there you will see the product key
copy it to notepad and type this before it
msiexec /x {product key}
put the product key inside these brackets , copy the whole thing and go to Start/ Run
it will proceed to uninstall the choice guard
reboot the computer when it is done
and no more popup and now MS Security Essentials loads
this needs to be fixed because so many people do have live essentials.
I have heard some who have Vista are also seeing this problem.
I found this to happen in xp pro sp3
robin
All Replies
- I had the exact same problem as robinb9 but the fix of uninstalling Choice Guard was not effective. It was also not in the add/remove programs listing for me either which (if it had caused my issue) would have been annoying.
In the end I deleted the registry link that starts up Security Essentials and created a new shortcut in the all users/startup folder that did the same thing. Even did the -hide so the user would not have to close any open windows or anything.
Doing it that way could be one way to not have to uninstall anything. Especially since, in my case, it didn't help. I am running XP SP3 with all the latest updates including IE8 on the machine in question. If there are any other answers that could help me on future installs if this occurs again I'd love to hear them.
Until then creating that shortcut should get me by and another solution if the uninstall of Choice Guard doesn't work for you either. - did you see this on xp or vista or windows 7?
robin I saw it on a machine that was XP SP3. My other XP machine didn't have Choice Guard on it so it had no problem at all. The machine that did have the problem did have that software.
I didn't have this problem on 64 bit Vista Ultimate but I'm also not seeing that Choice Guard is on there even though Live Essentials is.- scratching Head I've read simular post but for me on windows 7 rc No issues like this I guess you can call me lucky I have Windows Live Essentials loaded Mail Writer and Instant Messenger.
Hmmm
Posted By Mikro - i just installed it on windows 7 rc on my laptop and i have windows live mail on that one and it has the enhancement pack with the Choice Guard installed. It did not do it after a reboot on that machine. I am wondering if this is a xp issue only
robin - First thing this morning I installed MSE on 4 operating systems. Each OS is also running most components of Windows Live Essentials.
Windows 7 RC (32-bit)
Windows Vista (32-bit)
Windows 7 RC (64-bit)
Windows XP SP3 (32-bit)
After using and watching all 3 PCs carefully all the way into this evening, the only issue I have on any PC is with the XP SP3, which behaves exactly as described in this thread to this point. An internet search did not turn up anything that cures the error.
On a hunch, tomorrow I will do a fresh install of XP SP3 and install MSE before I install Live Essentials. Under Windows XP Pro SP3
I had the C:\Program Files\Microsoft folder popping up after installing Microsoft Security Essentials on reboot. Also the the Microsoft Security Essentials Icon is missing in the tray. (Microsoft Security Essentials is active - just no icon)
Two folders were in the Microsoft Folder - Choice Guard and Office Live
I uninstalled Choice Guard as recommended in the forum - I still got the Microsoft Folder popping up at boot-up - without Choice Guard.
Then I uninstalled Office Live Additions - This action removed the Microsoft folder.
Now NO POPUP on bootup.....and I now see the Microsoft Security Essentials Icon in the tray.
HOWEVER
Then I tried creating a new Microsoft folder in the same location (C:\Program Files\Microsoft) and I put a null text file in it.
On reboot - this new Microsoft folder popped up! In it was the null text file. And the the Microsoft Security Essentials Icon is missing in the tray again.
???????
I erased the C:\Program Files\Microsoft folder I just created and now I again boot with NO POPUPs and I see the Microsoft Security Essentials Icon in the tray.
It appears that if I have a "C:\Program Files\Microsoft" folder - it will POPUP at reboot. This folder did exist before I installed Microsoft Security Essentials and I had never seen this behavior
Microsoft Security Essentials appears to be working fine.
- Try this:Run Regedit.exenavigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Runadd quotes to the MSSE key so that it looks like this "c:\Program Files\Microsoft Security Essentials\msseces.exe" -hidereboot and the folder will not appear and the essentials program can properly execute
- JeffyB23,
Thanks, the "C:Program Files\Microsoft" popup is gone.
No icon in the systray however.
Jon - So collect the support logs and send them as a feedback with this description.
- yes make sure everyone sends feed back on this issue becausse as you see it is only happening in xp with Windows live- not in vista nor windows 7
THIS NEEDS TO BE FIXED ASAP!
robin - Feedback has been sent in, looking forward to a fix!
Submit bugs if you have experienced this issue, or are experiencing this issue today.
Thanks!
If you find that my answer was what you were looking for, please remember to click the "mark as answer" box below! - ok i sent feedback and this is what i got - i also asked if a kb was going to be written to fix this. As you see what he said it looks like there is not going to be a kb. I emailed him back and asked how are we to know this is fixed if you are not issuing a kb or at least an upgraded beta. When you get an answer from the feedback (do it by email on ms website) please tell microsoft that they need to do a new beta or issue an update to fix this issue. I have another xp computer that is running windows live that I can test it on once it is fixed. It is not realy fair or for their best interest and ours, if we are testing this beta and they are not taking our suggestions into account and do a fix so we can test it.
How am i going to know it is fixed? Am I to wait for the final and cross my fingers?
Dear Robin,
Thank you for taking the time to reply.
I am glad to hear that the issue has been resolved by uninstalling Microsoft Choice Guard on your XP machine. We appreciate your time and patience.
For your reference and further use only, I am providing you a brief summary of the steps performed to resolve this issue.
Action :Tried to launch Microsoft Security Essentials
Result :Able to launch,however the respective icon disappeared on startup.
A folder came up showing "c:/Program Files/Microsoft/ Search Enhancement Pack
with Choice Guard EXE within the ESP folder.
Cause :Incompatibility/conflict with Microsoft Choice Guard.
Resolution :Uninstalled Microsoft Choice Guard,able to get Microsoft Security Essential at
startup.
I would forward this issue that you faced with Choice Guard/Windows Live Program on XP machines to our Research and Development team.However,we would not able create any KB articles for now,as the application itself is in the Beta stage.
At this point of time, I will be closing this case as self-resolved. If you need further assistance regarding this case, please write back It will be a pleasure to be of assistance.
Once again, thank you for contacting Microsoft Security Essentials Beta Technical Support.
Best Regards
Stephy
Support Engineer
Microsoft Security Essentials Beta Technical Support Feedback has been sent in, looking forward to a fix!
Submit bugs if you have experienced this issue, or are experiencing this issue today.
Thanks!
If you find that my answer was what you were looking for, please remember to click the "mark as answer" box below!Then should I submit a bug report when the only thing I have in common is after installing MSE and (cold)rebooting the system tray icon fails to appear, it’s not hidden and then on cold reboot the icon is now in the system tray? Not sure if the icon will continue to appear after every reboot yet.
Thanks- I don't know if this always works, but, I stopped the google toolbar notifier from starting, rebooted and my systray icons returned, including the Security Essentials one. See http://www.online-tech-tips.com/google-softwaretips/what-is-google-toolbar-notifier/ for instructions.
Jon - A feedback has been submitted: One can vote/validate
https://connect.microsoft.com/securityessentials/feedback/ViewFeedback.aspx?FeedbackID=469790
I am not facing this issue in Windows 7 RC.
Not tried in Vista.
It happens every time on XP SP3. A feedback has been submitted: One can vote/validate
https://connect.microsoft.com/securityessentials/feedback/ViewFeedback.aspx?FeedbackID=469790
I am not facing this issue in Windows 7 RC.
Not tried in Vista.
It happens every time on XP SP3.
Thanks, already have voted/validated on this same bug report earlier today. It was the only feedback that came close to what I have experienced. The issue happens on my Vista machine.
Thanks, but I don’t use Google toolbar.
- Thanks Knightsky.
I haven't yet cheked on Vista , but as you confirm its also happens in Vista. (Is it SP2 ?)
So the issue occurs in XP SP3 and Vista.
This should be looked into as restart wont start MSE, we have to manually run them , at least this is what happens in XP SP3. Thanks, It’s Vista SP1…..whoops hadn’t realize it was. Wonder if this has anything to do with it.
Never had the problem MSE not starting (in Task Manager MsMpEng.exe and msseces.exe are there) even when the icon was missing.
The reason I ask about submitting feedback was my issue would borderline on duplication of an existing one.
- Hi instead of opening a new feedback, since the issue is the same , you can post your observations on Vista in the 'community discussion' section as comments in the same feedback thread.
Thanks, I’ am already aware of “Community Discussion” section for quite some time and your reply might be useful for those who may not be aware of.
Have a good day
- well now microsoft needs to fix this and issue it out to us so we can retest this issue
i have another xp pro sp3 box i can test it on that also has windows live mail and messenger on it
robin - For me, the issue was solved in XP SP3 (with IE8) by using the quotes listed in JeffyB23's post. The installer doesn't create the registry entry correct. If a C:\Program Files\Microsoft folder exists, the folder opens up on the desktop and and the msseces.exe process never starts. So for me, it was not a collision with another MS app, it's an installer bug.
For me, the issue was solved in XP SP3 (with IE8) by using the quotes listed in JeffyB23's post. The installer doesn't create the registry entry correct. If a C:\Program Files\Microsoft folder exists, the folder opens up on the desktop and and the msseces.exe process never starts. So for me, it was not a collision with another MS app, it's an installer bug.
I submitted a bug report here https://connect.microsoft.com/securityessentials/feedback/ViewFeedback.aspx?FeedbackID=469663&wa=wsignin1.0
everyone who has this problem should respond to this bug report
and you should put your suggestion on what you think it is in your own bug report
robinFor me, the issue was solved in XP SP3 (with IE8) by using the quotes listed in JeffyB23's post. The installer doesn't create the registry entry correct. If a C:\Program Files\Microsoft folder exists, the folder opens up on the desktop and and the msseces.exe process never starts. So for me, it was not a collision with another MS app, it's an installer bug.
I submitted a bug report here https://connect.microsoft.com/securityessentials/feedback/ViewFeedback.aspx?FeedbackID=469663&wa=wsignin1.0
everyone who has this problem should respond to this bug report
and you should put your suggestion on what you think it is in your own bug report
robin
Thanks Robin, your bug report now has Status: Closed (Fixed)
Good Job!For me, the issue was solved in XP SP3 (with IE8) by using the quotes listed in JeffyB23's post. The installer doesn't create the registry entry correct. If a C:\Program Files\Microsoft folder exists, the folder opens up on the desktop and and the msseces.exe process never starts. So for me, it was not a collision with another MS app, it's an installer bug.
I submitted a bug report here https://connect.microsoft.com/securityessentials/feedback/ViewFeedback.aspx?FeedbackID=469663&wa=wsignin1.0
everyone who has this problem should respond to this bug report
and you should put your suggestion on what you think it is in your own bug report
robin
Thanks Robin, your bug report now has Status: Closed (Fixed)
Good Job!
does that mean they are working on it? If so it would be nice if they tell us it is fixed so we can re test it
robin- I think it is closed/fixed only because this was sent privately not public because i wanted microsoft to email me which they did. I received another email today stating they closed this ticket because they sent it to the Research team.
Maybe that is why they set it as fixed but everyone should still send a bug report about it anyway just in case :P
robin I think it is closed/fixed only because this was sent privately not public because i wanted microsoft to email me which they did. I received another email today stating they closed this ticket because they sent it to the Research team.
Maybe that is why they set it as fixed but everyone should still send a bug report about it anyway just in case :P
robin
robin,Even though the fix may or may not become available immediately it depends on a number of factors. At the very least there is a short term work around for some, even if that’s bit of a pain.
As for me I am not sure if my issue is exactly the same, don’t have Windows Live Essentials and any of the work around doesn’t appear to be necessary in my case. At the moment it appears three reboots, and not necessarily in succession have solve the problem with MSE icon missing in system tray. Sadly to say I've seen this occur with new installs only, of Windows Live OneCare but not on this Vista pc.
Thanks,
- http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/msestart/thread/3e0206cc-6ef2-46cd-88f3-14528c3047c8
Apparently, the solution in that thread, which I made into a sticky, is the workaround for now.
I would expect that the installer will be updated, but obviously don't know if it will make it into a new build for download any time soon. I'm sure that there will be an updated build or two before release, depending of course, on what other bugs are discovered.
-steve
Microsoft MVP Windows Live / Windows Live OneCare, Live Mesh, & MS Security Essentials Forums Moderator - I am having Windows Live Essentials on XP SP3 as well as Windows 7.
While in XP SP3 this issue occurs while in Windows 7 it does not. - Vasudev,
The thing that causes this issue is the existence of a "c:\program files\microsoft" folder from what I can tell.
Can you check your XP and W7 machines to see if they both have a C:\program files\microsoft folder?
If you find that my answer was what you were looking for, please remember to click the "mark as answer" box below! - Yes Kevin, both have the C:\program files\microsoft folder.
- I'm locking this thread to drive traffic to this one: http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/msestart/thread/3e0206cc-6ef2-46cd-88f3-14528c3047c8
The problem on XP has been confirmed is being addressed by the developers.
If you experience this on Vista or Windows 7, please start a new thread and/or submit a bug report.
-steve
Microsoft MVP Windows Live / Windows Live OneCare, Live Mesh, & MS Security Essentials Forums Moderator
