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Install & Configure VirusScan Enterprise 8.x for Windows

Operating System: Win 2000, XP, Vista

On this page:
Obtain and Install VirusScan 8.x
Update Your Virus and Spyware Definitions
Modify Virus Scanning Configurations

Obtain and Install VirusScan 8.x

McAfee VirusScan is an anti-virus and anti-spyware software that allows you to find and remove viruses and other malware from your computer and email attachments.

Before you download and install VirusScan 8.x, make sure you uninstall other anti-virus software (e.g., Norton, Sophos) you may have on your computer. Running more than one anti-virus software on the same computer can cause serious conflicts. For more information, see Running More than One Anti-virus Application?.

Note: As part of the set-up process, VirusScan 8.x will automatically detect and uninstall previous versions of VirusScan. You will not be able to install VirusScan 8.x without uninstalling previous versions of the software.

  1. VirusScan 8.x is available at no cost to members of the UMass Community. On our VirusScan 8.x page click Download and then follow the rest of the installation instructions below.
    Note: If you are downloading this software from off-campus using a non-UMass ISP (Internet Service Provider), you are required to enter your NetID (OIT Account user name) and UMail password before downloading software.
  2. In the File Download window, click Save. The Save As window will open.
  3. In the Save As window, save the vscan8x.exe file to your Desktop.
  4. When the download is complete, the Download complete window will open. Click Run. The WinZip self-extractor will run, and the McAfee VirusScan Enterprise Setup window will open.
  5. In the McAfee VirusScan Enterprise Setup window, click Next.
  6. In the Network Associates Licensing window, select I accept the terms in the license agreement, then click OK.
  7. If you have a previous version of McAfee VirusScan installed on your computer, McAfee will detect it. In the McAfee VirusScan Enterprise Setup window, do NOT select Preserve Settings. Click Next to uninstall previous versions.
    Note: You will NOT be able to install version 8.x if you do not uninstall previous versions of McAfee.
  8. In the Select Setup Type window, select Typical. Under Install To, we recommend using the default directory: C:\Program Files\Network Associates\VirusScan\, then click Next.
  9. In the Ready to Install window, click Install. McAfee VirusScan will install.
  10. When the installation is complete, you'll see McAfee VirusScan Enterprise SetUp has completed successfully. Select Run On-Demand Scan to scan your hard drive for viruses and spyware. Keep in mind that the On-Demand Scan could take more than an hour to complete.
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Update Your Virus and Spyware Definitions

Updating your virus and spyware definitions will ensure that VirusScan recognizes new forms of malicious software and detects new virus strains. Updating your files is essential to keeping your computer virus free.

The version of VirusScan 8.x downloaded from the OIT Web site:

  • Comes installed with the latest virus definitions
  • Is preconfigured to update automatically at 12:00 p.m. daily
  • Comes with an anti-spyware system that updates along with virus definitions.

Adjust Time for Automatic Updates

OIT's installation of VirusScan 8.x is preconfigured to automatically update with the latest virus definitions daily at 12:00 p.m. Use these instructions to modify the time this update occurs:

Note: Change the time to a time of day you know your computer will be on and connected to the Internet. Your computer must be on and connected to the Internet for the updates to occur.

  1. Go to your Windows system tray (near the clock, typically in the lower-right corner of your screen).
  2. Right-click the VirusScan Shield (the blue shield with a red V in it), then click VirusScan Console.
  3. In the VirusScan Console window, double-click AutoUpdate. The VirusScan AutoUpdate Properties – AutoUpdate will open.
  4. In the VirusScan AutoUpdate Properties – AutoUpdate window, click Schedule…
  5. In the Schedule Settings window, click the Schedule tab. Adjust the Start Time to a time you know your computer will be on.
  6. Click OK to close the Schedule Settings window. In the VirusScan AutoUpdate Properties – AutoUpdate window, click Apply, then OK.

Perform Manual Updates

If you have a dial-up connection to the Internet, we recommend that you update VirusScan manually as often as possible.

  1. Establish an Internet connection by dialing in to the UMass network or another Internet Service Provider. Save your data and close all applications.
  2. Go to your Windows system tray (near the clock, typically in the lower-right corner of your screen).
  3. Right-click the VirusScan Shield (the blue shield with a red V in it), then click VirusScan Console.
  4. In the Windows system tray, right-click the VirusScan icon. Select Update Now…
  5. The McAfee AutoUpdate window will open and show you the progress of the update.

    Note: If you use a dial-up connection, please expect these downloads to take several minutes.

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Modify Virus Scanning Configurations

OIT's installation of the VirusScan 8.x includes two types of scans: On-Access Scanner and Scan All Fixed Disks. In addition, VirusScan scans for spyware along with viruses.

On-Access Scanner

OIT’s installation of VirusScan 8.x comes with the On-Access Scanner enabled. The On-Access scanner provides continuous scanning and virus detection. Scanning occurs when files are opened or saved to your computer.

For more information, see the VirusScan Enterprise Product Guide.

Scan Your Entire Computer

We recommend that you regularly scan your entire computer for viruses and malware in addition to activating the On-Access Scanner. This process is not enabled by default on OIT’s installation of the software. Here's how to set it up:

Note: These instructions correspond to the latest version of McAffee VirusScan (8.5.0i and above). If you are running an older version of this program, the process is almost identical, but there may be variations. We recommend that you update to the latest version of the program as soon as possible.

  1. Go to your Windows system tray (near the clock, typically in the lower-right corner of your screen).
  2. Right-click the VirusScan Shield (the blue shield with a red V in it), then click VirusScan Console.
  3. In the VirusScan Console window, click Full Scan, then click Properties. The VirusScan On Demand Scan Properties... window will open.
    Note: In older versions of VirusScan, this option was called Scan All Fixed Disks. If you upgraded to the latest version of VirusScan from an earlier version, you might see both options (i.e., Full Scan and Scan All Fixed Disks) listed in the VirusScan Console.
  4. In the VirusScan On Demand Scan Properties... window, click Schedule...(at right). The Schedule Settings window will open.
  5. In the Schedule Settings window, click the Task tab (if necessary), then check the box next to Enable (scheduled task runs at specified time).
  6. While still on the Schedule Settings window, click the Schedule tab.
  7. On the Schedule tab:
    • In the Run Task drop-down menu, choose how often you'd like to run the Scan All Fixed Disks scan. We recommend that you choose Weekly.
    • In the Start Time drop-down menu, use the up and down arrows to choose a time you would like the scan to begin. This time should be a time when you know your computer is normally powered up.
    • Check the box next to Run if missed, then, in the Delay Missed Task field, enter 5 .
    • Click OK. The Schedule Settings window will close.
  8. In the VirusScan On-Demand Properties... window, click OK.
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Need Help?

If you encounter problems, submit an online Help Request.
- or -
Contact the OIT Help Desk at 545-9400.

Last revised June 07, 2007