Windows 10: Daily prompts to update virus definitions via Windows Update

Up until about a week ago, MSE (Windows Defender) would update its virus definitions silently.


Occasionally, a definition update would appear as an Optional item when other updates were listed.


About a week ago, this changed.


Now, every time I log in, Windows Update pops up to tell me there are updates available, but the only update is the virus definitions. Needless to say, this is annoying and unnecessary.


Is there anything I can do to stop this, while still retaining control of proper Windows updates?

(I do want to be prompted before downloading proper updates, just not the virus definitions, since they should download daily through MSE anyway.)


The only thing I changed with the system around that time (though it was actually a week or so earlier) was I changed some of the tasks in Task Scheduler to better match how I use my computer. For example, I disabled my GPS software update check, since it's not useful to me. I can't see any virus update definition tasks, though there are two branches that seem to pertain, under "Microsoft\Microsoft Anti-Malware" and "Microsoft\Windows Defender" -- both have no tasks in them.


I'm running Windows 7 x64.


I emphasise that this behaviour only began about a week ago.


Thanks for any help.

:)

 

Virus and spyware definitions couldn't be updated.

Hi Ogunmola,

There are several possible reasons why you are unable to update your virus and spyware definitions in Windows 10. The most common cause is internet connectivity. If you are online, it can be caused by conflicts with the settings in Windows Internet Explorer.

For us to better assist you with this concern, we need to ask a few questions:

• Were there any changes made prior to this issue?
• Are there issues with the internet connection?
• Are you getting any error messages? Can you send a screenshot?
• What troubleshooting steps have you tried so far?
  

For steps to help resolve this issue with updating the virus and spyware definitions, you can refer to
Giridhar J's post on this
link.

Looking forward to your reply.

Thank you.

 

Windows update daily? Ugh

Windows Update seems to be stuck trying to install a particular update, so this might be of use to you.

Click Start, then type "cmd" (without quotes). Right-click cmd then it comes up and hit "Run as Administrator". At the command prompt, type "net stop wuauserv" (again, without quotes), wait for it to say "The Windows Update service was stopped sucessfully" or words to that effect. Leave cmd running.

Navigate to C:\Windows (or whatever drive your OS is installed on), and delete the "SoftwareDistribution" folder. Once that's done, go back to cmd and type "net start wuauserv" (without wuotes again) and wait for it to say "The Windows Update was started sucessfully" or words to that effect. Exit cmd.

Open Windows update, you will need to re-enable Microsoft Update as deleting the SoftwareDistribution folder resets Windows Update. Install any updates that come up and your problem *should* be fixed.

If not, all I can suggest is either downloading that patch manually and installing it, or just reinstall Windows.

 

virus and spyware definition

I followed the steps as suggested, and hence the problem got solved that time. But now again the virus definition is not getting updated. Its showing the same problem again. Any long term solution?