There is some confusion over whether it is safe to install a new version of ESET Antivirus (NOD32) or ESET Smart Security over the top of an existing license.

Here is a guide to trouble-free installation of ESET antivirus or ESET Smart Security when you already have an ESET product installed...

How to install an upgrade to your ESET antivirus - or ESET Smart Security...

this includes:

• upgrading from 2.7, 3.0, 4.0, 4.2 etc to 5.0 for Home or 4.2 for Business


• changing from ESET antivirus to ESET Smart Security


• installing a full licensed copy when you have the trial

To perform this upgrade or change of ESET products, you will need the following:

• Your ESET product version - ESET Antivirus or ESET Smart Security


• You need to know whether your computer is 32-bit or 64-bit - not just the processor, but the OPERATING SYSTEM - if you download the incorrect version, it will not work.


• access to the internet - assuming that you are reading this on the computer you are upgrading the ESET software, you have access to the internet


• your computer should be up-to-date with Microsoft Windows Updates

If you do not have all of these prerequisites covered, stop - fix the item, and then when all 4 of these conditions are met, you are ready to proceed.

• First, download the current LATEST version for your operating system - put it somewhere safe, like the desktop - you will need your ESET username and password to do this. You must download ESET antivirus if you have purchase an ESET antivirus license, and the correct ESET Smart Security installer if you purchased ESET smart Security.


• download and install the free utility cCleaner - http://ccleaner.com -
   
  PLEASE NOTE: the ccleaner program *IS* free - Piriform has a paid support option on their home page - the free download link is immediately underneath the paid support option - the link is labeled 'Download from Piriform.com'

Run ccleaner first to clean up temporary files, then to cleanup the registry... run the registry clean repeatedly until it reports that no problems were found (usually no more than 3 times) - we recommend using the backup option when you are cleaning the registry - although in many years of using this program is have not generated a need to use that backup, always backup the changes - better safe, than sorry!

• uninstall the current ESET product using THE ESET UNINSTALL PROGRAM - this is found under the Start Menu | Program Files | ESET | ESET Antivirus (or Smart Security | Uninstall - run this and please do NOT remove the software from the Add/Remove Programs in your control panel.


• Restart your computer - do not skip this step


• run cCleaner in registry clean mode once again (repeatedly until you have no errors again).


• start the ESET installer which you downloaded and put safe on the desktop so you could find it easily - this will install the latest ESET antivirus, or ESET smart security - entering your license information when prompted.


• Restart your computer again - do not skip this step


• have a cup of tea or coffee while your ESET software gets the latest updates


• you are done

Link back to this article: http://bit.ly/b7WolF

This entry was posted by Greg Hewitt-Long on Wednesday, June 23. 2010 at 07:52. and is filed under General Security.