Resolved Hidden (Hiding) Microsoft Security Essentials.

Laptop running Win 7 Home premium. I want to install Sophos home on it but it says that MSE must be uninstalled first. Problem is that MSE is not shown in the list of programmes, also I cannot recall ever installing it. I ran Avast and Microsoft Windows Malicious Software removal tool, nothing showed up. I also searched the HD for it.
Any suggestions as to how i miight clear it?

 

In W7 you will find the default AV is Defender. You do not have to uninstall it - just Turn it OFF in Security. If you install a 3rd. party AV program, Windows Defender usually turns itself off by default. I don't think you will be able to uninstall Defender as it's part of the OS. Have you had trouble with security? Why are you installing Sophos?

 

This is an old low spec laptop that I fitted with a hybrid HD and the max of 2GB RAM, this made it into a decent enough machine. I loaned it out for a few months after which I put it aside and now when I wanted to use it I found this problem. Defender and MSE are both shown in the same box as being turned off and neither can be turned on, so there is a problem there. Additionally there is no AV shown. I chose Sophos Home as it has low overheads and autmatically updates itself, also because I used and liked it on a desktop, I want to unblock it's installation.
Interestingly Avast installed without a problem - it is now un-installed. I will use it if I cannot resolve this issue. i read somewhere they have merged with, or taken over AVG.