New Post(Can't check for updates anymore) Old Post(Antivirus software saying it's no longer compatible even though I don't have the software)

[MajorPager]

I recently got an old computer that runs Windows Vista and it says that avast antivirus is no longer compatible with the Windows Security Center. I searched every where to get rid of the software only to find out that I don't even have it. Would reinstalling another antivirus software like Microsoft Security Essentials get rid of the message? I think it would right?

 

[BFG-9000]

The message is more that you have no antivirus installed at all, or updated from XP when Avast (now a Norton product!) was installed. Windows Vista shipped with Windows Defender but it was not the antivirus we know today, being only an anti-malware program intended for use beside antivirus software. In any case installing any antivirus suite uninstalls Defender so now you have nothing.

The latest Microsoft Security Essentials is from 2016 and may no longer be compatible with modern Windows Defender virus definitions (you'll know if running a manual definition update pops up a message claiming it's not a valid Win32 application) but you could try the old XP trick of extracting it and running the mpsigstub.exe inside. Even if the definitions then install, there is no guarantee the old engine will know what to do with them. Or the message may go away but leave you with a permanent yellow exclamation mark on the MSE icon from running EOL software.

 

[MajorPager]

Noted. But now I'm faced with the problem of not being able to check for updates, it keeps saying that the internet connection gets interrupted. Is there an update that could fix this? Kind of like the (Windows6.1-KB3102810-x64/x86 update for Windows 7)

 

[USAFRet]

Noted. But now I'm faced with the problem of not being able to check for updates, it keeps saying that the internet connection gets interrupted. Is there an update that could fix this? Kind of like the (Windows6.1-KB3102810-x64/x86 update for Windows 7)

Presumably you've not done a full wipe and reinstall of whatever OS is in there?

If not, why not?

No telling how screwed up that current install is. Among other problems.

 

[MajorPager]

Although the install has its problems, it's already been thoroughly used and cared for up until 2016 It also has plenty of no-longer obtainable, very good software.

It's also got support for WPA2 security, something I've never seen on Windows Vista before, Good stuff.

 

[USAFRet]

Although the install has its problems....

Well, you know the real way to fix that.
But you don't want to.

 

[MajorPager]

I know, right.

Other than that, would you suspect Windows 7 would run somewhat decently with 4GB of RAM and Hyperthreading enabled?

 

[BFG-9000]

SHA-2 code signing became required to use WindowsUpdate on Aug 3, 2020. While SHA-2 support can be added with KB4474419 and KB4493730, the bigger problem is that all older updates signed only with SHA-1 have been removed from Microsoft's update servers so you'd have to download them from Windows Catalog or a mirror, and install them manually.

Windows 7 ran way better than early builds of Vista on the same hardware, and is little different than Vista SP2. If your hardware supports it, 32-bit Windows 10 isn't all that much slower either and is supported until 2025.

If you want to save installed software you have no install media for, there is no direct upgrade from Vista to 10 so you'd have to upgrade through Windows 7 in-between (you can skip Windows 8). I'll suggest cloning the Vista drive before upgrading the copy in case something goes wrong or it turns out some of the software won't run in Windows 10.

 

[geofelt]

Since vista is no longer supported, there are likely no updates to be found, even if you could check.
They tend to be of a security nature, possibly a moot point.
If this pc needs internet access, you probably should upgrade the windows version.
4gb is tough unless you are using a 32 bit version of windows.
And, 32 bit is not really supported any more.
What is your motherboard and ram?
It should not cost too much to upgrade to 8gb.

 

[MajorPager]

I do not know the exact model of the motherboard except that it is an OEM Dell motherboard, as it's a pain to open the case up plus I have it placed in a cramped spot. I do know that it has 4, 1GB sticks of ATEC RAM in it. But I don't believe I will be able to upgrade to 8GB of RAM since it's an old computer.

 

[Andrew Fox]

You can run through the Avast Cleanup Tool to fully remove any leftover files from Avast

https://files.avast.com/iavs9x/avastclear.exe

It isn't going to be what stops you getting updates though as Avast has never used Windows Update to deliver its updates.

Has your Vista version got Service Pack 2?

I downloaded from a forum a long time ago an installer called InstallPrereqMsu.cmd that installs the updates necessary for Windows Update to function. For Vista the list is:

KB3124275
KB3183431
KB3193418
KB3194371
KB3205638
KB4012583
KB4015195
KB4015380

Install them in that order and your Windows Update should work. To get you started here's the first one:

Microsoft Update Catalog

Just change the KB in the search box in the top right and go through each, downloading the files. Not all of them may be applicable to your system as you might already have them on there so if you get an error installing it just go down to the next one in the list. Make sure you also install those 2 updates mentioned by BFG-9000 (KB4474419 and KB4493730)

 

[MajorPager]

I do have SP2 installed, also thank you for the update file names.