[SOLVED] Questions about Windows, scanners, etc

Badram · Aug 23, 2023

Hi, I was hoping I could make a topic to better educate myself on some things.
Recently I got help to remove a defender policy restriction, and I wanted to know if that restriction would come back if I ran the Microsoft safety scanner?
(I think what initially caused the restriction was me having Malwarebytes Premium, so when I first bought it and activated it, it registered it in the security tray and disabled defender, which caused that restriction I think. I unticked the option to register it in the tray within the Malwarebytes app, because I felt better by running both at the same time)
Im still pretty paranoid about the computer, so I’m trying to learn more just to put my mind at ease.

Badram · Aug 23, 2023

Also, is it recommended to install the optional preview updates when they come out?
Theres an update preview right now, but I haven’t installed it at the moment.

Corrine · Aug 23, 2023

Hi, Badram.

Badram said:
Recently I got help to remove a defender policy restriction, and I wanted to know if that restriction would come back if I ran the Microsoft safety scanner?

No, it will not return. The solution to the Windows Defender restriction was when the option to register Malwarebytes in the Widows Security Center was unchecked.

Badram said:
Also, is it recommended to install the optional preview updates when they come out?

It is completely up to each individual as to whether they wish to install the optional preview releases or wait until the second Tuesday of the month when the optional updates and other changes are included with the released security updates. Seeing as how you have indicated that you are paranoid about the computer, it is probably best if you wait until the regular update next month. However, the decision is yours.

Regardless of your decision, before making any changes to your computer, whatever those changes may be, I strongly advise that you create a System Restore point (see Create a system restore point and Use System Restore).

Badram · Aug 23, 2023

Thanks

I ended up running it, and it went fine. I feel like I saw a notification at the bottom right of the screen pop up during the scan, but I’m not sure since I wasn’t paying 100% attention.
Windows also ended up installing some app updates during the scan, and I don’t know if that would have an impact on anything or not.

I’m guessing there’s no security risk in not installing the optional previews I’m guessing.

Corrine · Aug 23, 2023

Badram said:
I’m guessing there’s no security risk in not installing the optional previews I’m guessing.

You're correct. There is no security risk whether you install or don't install the optional preview updates.

Badram · Aug 24, 2023

Ok that’s good

i wish I wasn’t so paranoid though. I feel like every time I go to use my computer something happens which makes me concerned. Like when I opened my PC today, the control panel, and reliability monitor just wouldn’t open until I restarted, and I have no idea why.
Another thing is that sometimes when I start my PC and open task manager, I see two instances of file explorer. Which I knew what was going on most of the time, because it’s all so tiring when you just want to use something without worrying.

Badram · Aug 24, 2023

Really don’t know how to cope. I hate that I can’t just use the computer like I used to and just play games on it, but now i just get paranoid over every little thing.

Corrine · Aug 24, 2023

I very seldom open the Control Panel and have never used the Reliability Monitor, and don't understand why you're doing that and regularly opening Task Manager. I think you'd be best off not worrying about it and just return to playing games as you used to.

Badram · Aug 25, 2023

It’s difficult to stop, or not think about it.
I normally open reliability manager just to check what updates installed and if they installed correctly or not. I just have no idea why it wouldnt open yesterday, and it got me paranoid.

Corrine · Aug 25, 2023

It is much easier to check for installed updates by doing the following:

Open the Settings app by clicking on the gear icon in the Start menu or by pressing Windows+i on your keyboard.
Click on Update & Security.
Click on Windows Update from the sidebar.
Click on View update history.

Here you will see a list of installed updates sorted by category such as Quality Updates, Driver Updates, Definition Updates and Other Updates. You can expand each section to see the updates listed in reverse chronological order with the most recent updates listed toward the top.

Badram · Aug 25, 2023

I’ll do that from now on, though reliability monitor is good since it shows if an update was unsuccessful among other things. It also showed me that windows kept installing the same security update multiple times a month ago, which seemed to happen for others too, so I have no idea what the issue was there.

I also don’t know if it’s concerning to see icons on the taskbar flash (I think it’s the, refreshing or something) it’ll happen if windows installs an app update, but other times it feels like it randomly happens, and sometimes only one of the icons will flash, which concerns me. Today, it was the Spotify icon which did it, and I don’t know if I somehow triggered something or what

Badram · Aug 28, 2023

Another thing I wanted to know is if the internet turning off and back on can effect anything negatively during a computers startup?
My power is fine, but the internet has been spotty today, while I powered on my computer it came back on (I want to say it came back on during that screen where you can get into the bios. The one that appears before the windows loading screen if that makes sense)

Corrine · Aug 28, 2023

No, Internet connection has no effect whatsoever while a computer is starting up.

Badram · Aug 29, 2023

I was really scared that it would damage the hardware or software.

I tried playing something yesterday but I quickly got too paranoid and upset so I abruptly stopped. I was concerned over something being wrong, like the previously mentioned taskbar icons flashing/refreshing sometimes, along with the fact that my memory suddenly went up. I don’t know if that’s because one of my restore points deleted itself on its own or not since it was one that was made on the 15th of this month, so maybe they expire after 10 days?

It sucks that I spent a good amount of money to buy and assemble this PC and I’ve become too scared to use it at the moment.

Badram · Aug 29, 2023

Discovered now that the other restore point has been deleted too, so I don’t understand what’s going on.
This one that was just deleted was only 6 days old.

Corrine · Aug 31, 2023

Let's see if this helps. In the Search area type Create a restore point and select it when it appears in the list. With the System Protection tab selected, click on Configure. Take a screenshot of what you see (this article is helpful to guide you how to take screenshots, in case you need it).

Badram · Aug 31, 2023

This window?

Corrine · Aug 31, 2023

According to the image posted, it appears there is a System Restore point. In doing a Bing search on how long system restore points last, I learned the following:

By default, System Restore Points are set to use up to 2% of the hard drive space on which the operating system is installed 1. Once this limit is reached, older restore points will be deleted to make room for new ones. Therefore, the length of time that a System Restore Point lasts depends on how frequently new restore points are created and how much space is allocated for them.

Badram · Aug 31, 2023

i see. I think this restore point may have been made yesterday after an update.
Im still a bit confused on how they work though. Since these restore points weren’t replaced with new ones, unless I’m misinterpreting something.
with the two points gone, each one freed around 5GB.
maybe it’s also to do with the fact that I took some FRST logs?

Corrine · Aug 31, 2023

FRST logs have nothing to do with System Restore. In fact, you should not be running tools of that nature unless requested to do so by an expert as you were in your other thread.

[SOLVED] Questions about Windows, scanners, etc

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