Does Bitdefender Free version 1.0.21.1109 now include a vulnerability scan?

I've got Bitdefender Free installed on an old system running Win7. Windows Update has been set to Disabled and Never for many years. (I use this system with a few old programs.) About two hours after Bitdefender Free updated today, Windows Update launched. I stopped it and saw that it was now set to Enabled with a Delayed Start.

I'm wondering if Bitdefender's Vulnerability Scan has been added to version 1.0.21.1109 of Bitdefender Free? I'm also thinking there's no way to turn it off in Bitdefender Free's minimal interface? And, if that's the case is it possible to install a paid version of Bitdefender that has a toggle switch for the Vulnerability Scan and is compatible with Win7?

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ellentk

@Nunzio77 Thanks for your good advice. And for all the help you've given me. Here's my situation. My ThinkPad runs fine. If I want to run programs Win7 doesn't support, I use my iPad. I've got a few programs on my ThinkPad that are only available by subscription now and don't have any new features that I want or need. And in some cases, the older version is better than the new improved one. Plus there's the hassle of learning new interfaces. The only advantage for me would be up-to-date windows security patches. But I've been doing fine with bitdefender and malwarebytes and I'm pretty careful. Plus, if my system is compromised I'm also pretty good about backing up to external hard drives and I'd just restore it as I did with my C drive when I couldn't install both the new and old versions of bitdefender free after uninstalling the old version. Eventually though I'll get a new Thinkpad.

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Flexx

https://community.bitdefender.com/en/discussion/103723/does-bitdefender-free-version-1-0-21-1109-now-include-a-vulnerability-scan

I'm wondering if Bitdefender's Vulnerability Scan has been added to version 1.0.21.1109 of Bitdefender Free?

@Nunzio77 can provide information on this.

Regards

Nunzio77

@ellentk Hi,
I suggest you uninstall Bitdefender Free version 1.0.21.1109, which is an old version that is no longer maintained by Bitdefender.

You can install the new free version which is 27.0.49.250 and you can download it from this link:

https://www.bitdefender.com/it-it/consumer/free-antivirus

This version is more complete in terms of protection, updated and does not have vulnerability checks (this check is in the paid version).
As for protection, it is complete except for some paid add-ons.
This version is compatible with W7 Service Pack 1.

Let me know if it's ok.

ellentk

Thanks, Nunzio. I'll give it a try tomorrow and let you know how it goes.

Ellen

ellentk

I uninstalled my old version of Bitdefender Free and tried to install v. 27.0.49.250. I was unable to do so and am now also unable to reinstall my older version.

I think the only way I'll get back my prior working version is to restore my C drive using Macrium Reflect.

But maybe there's a less drastic solution?

When I tried to run the current free program (which might be in Spanish, not my native language) it told me to install two files or packages first.
https://www.bitdefender.com/consumer/support/answer/45383/

I successfully installed:
Microsoft Easy Fix

I was unable to install:KB3125574
"Installer encountered an error 0x80070422."

It suggested I install files on this page: https://www.bitdefender.com/consumer/support/answer/44881/

I tried Installing them, in this order:
KB3140245....didn't work, error 0x80070422
KB4490628....didn't work, error 0x80070422
KB4474419....didn't work, error 0x80070422

I then tried to reinstall my old version. I saved Antivirus_Free_Edition.exe and Antivirus_Free_Edition_x64.exe when I installed the old version in 2015 and have both on my PC.

I tried to run Antivirus_Free_Edition.exe.
- It told me to go to a page to download Antivirus_Free_Edition_x64.exe
- That page contains a 404-File not found error message.

I tried to run Antivirus_Free_Edition_x64.exe.
I got this error message:
C:\users\Ellen\AppData\Local\Temp\RarSFX0 folder is not accessible.

I'm assuming that I'd run into the same kind of problem if I try to install any of your premium versions?

Any solution or should I restore my C: drive?

ellentk

Update.

Rather than go without a working virus checker, I restored my C drive and my old version of Bitdefender Free is working fine. It's scanning my PC as I type this and updated a few minutes after I rebooted my restored system.

I'm thinking there's probably not a way for me to install a newer version as I can't install the windows updates it requires? But I'm also thinking I'm getting the latest virus definitions so I'm well protected?

Flexx

https://community.bitdefender.com/en/discussion/comment/352308#Comment_352308

As far as I know, different versions of the same Bitdefender product may be available due to differences in operating systems (in your case, Windows). While you may have an older version of Bitdefender Antivirus Free for Windows, you will still receive the latest signature database created by malware researchers.

@camarie can provide more information on this.

Regards

camarie

Windows Update error 0x80070422, AFAIK, refers to the wuauserv service (the Windows update service itself or one of its required service) not working/not running, or disabled. I am not aware of one of our products blocking or hindering in any way the WU processes. I would start with a checklist - since I ran along the years into a few of those myself - including:

check if wuauserv and BITS services are running and on automatic startup mode
check the date/time to not be out of sync; use control panel/settings Date and time settings, maybe a "Synchronize your clock" might be needed
maybe temporarily disable IPv6 on your network adapter, although I did not see myself this working, it's listed as a possible cause
yes, uninstalling temporarily or disable an antimalware solution can help sometimes (although I never saw this to be effective, or the antimalware to be the cause)
download and install updates directly from the Microsoft Update Catalog, for example KB3140245 can be found here:

https://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/search.aspx?q=kb3140245 (similar for other KB IDs)

More informations can be found, for example, here: https://www.easeus.com/resource/windows-update-error-0x80070422.html#:~:text=Windows%20error%20code%200x80070422%20is,party%20antivirus%20or%20firewall%20system. (although I am positive you already looked up similar websites). WU is a enormous thing and with a legacy spanning since … forever, so I cannot be sure why you encounter these issues.

I would try these first before attempting last resort solutions, at least services check to be running and automatic, and installing the KBs manually if this is not working.

Flexx

https://community.bitdefender.com/en/discussion/comment/352313#Comment_352313

@camarie, any information on this specific comment?

Regards

camarie

https://community.bitdefender.com/en/discussion/comment/352318#Comment_352318

I asked the colleagues and: the signature database, while specific to the bitness of the operating system (and hence the product), is the same, just on different locations since 32 and 64 files might differ. For AVFree as is, it is the same signature database location for all versions, it does not depend on the operating system.

Flexx

https://community.bitdefender.com/en/discussion/comment/352328#Comment_352328

Thank you for the update, @camarie. Much appreciated.

Regards

ellentk

Thanks for all the great information. I have a few basic questions.

Can someone please send me a link to the English version of the User Guide for Anti-Virus Free version 1.0.21.1109? Without it, I'm a bit confused. For instance, what do virus shield and auto scan each do?

I would ordinarily assume that with Virus Shield toggled On, Bitdefender examines files as I use and/or download them. But for over 24 hours, the path to various files on my HD have been scrolling under VS, occasionally alternating with the path to remotescan1104.log. Since I have not used my computer during this time except to search for the missing user guide, check to make sure that Windows update was still disabled in services settings, and open one MS word file, I'm thinking that virus shield is performing an initial scan of my restored C: drive, as I've read that they could take as long as 36 hours. And because the log file keeps reappearing I'm also assuming it's indexing the results of this scan to a log.

Are my assumptions about Virus Shield doing the initial scan correct or should I toggle auto scan on to accomplish the initial scan? And if I should be using auto scan instead of virus shield for the initial scan, why have all my files plus the ….1104.log file been horizontally scrolling underneath the words virus shield for the past 24+ hours? What is it doing if not the initial time-consuming scan? version 1.0.21.1109 (along with every other file on my C drive) was restored the way it was in February. Now that it's few months later, did that trigger VS to look at all my files again?

For now I'm leaving things as they are hoping that virus shield is actually doing the initial scan and will stop soon so I can regain control of my computer. But maybe I'm wrong and I should have turned virus shield off and used auto scan to do the initial scan? Or turned them both on?

I read somewhere that the initial scan could take up to 36 hours but after that because a log file is created it's quicker. So I don't want to turn anything off until I know what I'm doing. And as you probably can tell by my confusion, I do not.

Here's a way too big screenshot of the only user interface in this version. Sorry about that but I'm using my iPad because I don't want to shrink the image in Photoshop on my PC while bitdefender seems to be scanning my system.

Thanks very much for help with this.

Ellen

Flexx

https://community.bitdefender.com/en/discussion/comment/352357#Comment_352357

The image you shared shows an outdated version of Bitdefender Free Antivirus for Windows. There is no confirmation that this version will continue to receive up-to-date malware signature updates.

Furthermore, there is no specific guide based on older versions of the product. Currently, documentation is only available for the latest version of Bitdefender Free Antivirus for Windows. Below is the link:

https://www.bitdefender.com/content/dam/bitdefender/consumers/case-studies/antivirus-free/EN.pdf

Regards

ellentk

Ah, that explains why I didn't save a user guide on my PC, there is none. I tried to upgrade but was unable to install the current version due to windows update issues. I'll try to sort that out. Thanks for your help.

Nunzio77

@ellentk You should upgrade your Windows version if you can, replacing a HDD with an SSD. My old PC with this change was reborn. Then you should install the new version of Bitdefender Free is more beautiful, complete and updated.

ellentk