Paint editor / How to run WinDefender in background

Hello, I hope I chose the right forum...it seems this isn't my day! ) Would someone please help me get these 2 problems resolved?

1. I wanted to take a screenshot of my desktop but, I need a paint editor. I used to have Microsoft Paint (or is it Windows Paint?) but it seems I lost it when I lost MS Word (no CD anymore....) I tried my Windows Flash Player but didn't do it...I tried to download somewhere this MS (or Windows) Paint...but don't seem to find it...Maybe it doesn't it exist anymore?

2. I wanted to make my Windows Defender run in the background for which I was suggested to go to Tools | Options. Check: Use Real-Time Protection...but, I don't seem to see "Use Real-Time Protection"...

Any suggestions to resolve the above will be so appreciated! ) Adela

 

http://majorgeeks.com/Paint.NET_d4548.html

 

Thanks so much Just Plain. I downloaded and saved the PaintNet, but when I double clicked to install...it shows on another page: "Paint.Net.3.36.zip" with a little square icon. When I double click on this icon, the system freezes and says "This program has ended"... Do you happen to know why, and how I can install it?

Thanks again! Adela

 

It is a zip file. In order to for the installer to run, it must be extracted from the zip file. Here are simple instructions on how to extract the installer: http://consumerdocs.installshield.com/selfservice/viewContent.do?externalId=Q108326&sliceId=1

 

Thanks again, I got it to extract the files (though not through the steps shown on the above link)...then a Paint.NET popup said: "Request that .NET framework is installed. Click OK to go to Microsoft web page where you may download and install this." I went there (below link) and it had a long and complicated text by the title: "Microsoft .NET framework 3.5 Service Pack 1".

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=ab99342f-5d1a-413d-8319-81da479ab0d7&displaylang=en

JP, is it possible to choose a different and simpler paint editor? Adela

 

Thanks so much Mark, I checked Accessories, and also did a Search but nowhere to be found. I know I had it because I used it once or twice in the past. Also thank you for the wonderful link showing all the other photo editors. I chose a simple and small one, the IrfanView, but I don't understand their icons on my desktop: one is a simple yellow folder showing all its contents; 2nd one is an .exe and it offers to "run" though it's already installed; the last one is a flat, red cat (or something) and it shows nothing but an entire black screen.

Hoping to clear this, I defragged, deleted temp files, etc. At the following morning (today) my shortcuts to OE Email, IE and Desktop disappeared! After trying to find them, I had to use restore and got them back though the desktop is shown different from the usual desktop...

It's ironic that all I wanted in the first place was to make a screenshot of my desktop programs in case I lost them and for this I spent most of the last 2 days trying to fix the strange things that happen in the way. Perhaps I should just write down the names of the programs and let it go with that?

Thanks again for trying to help me, and Happy Holidays and a Healthy and Happy New Year!!! Adela

 

HI! I attached a zipped folder below, unzip it and inside you'll see "mspaint.exe". Copy it (or drag and drop it) to C:\windows\system32\. Or just run it from the unzipped folder if you like. Once it's in the System32 folder, you can click Start > Run and type mspaint and press Enter and it will run. :-D

Windows Defender is set up to run in the background by default when it's installed, and I don't think this can be disabled (I could be wrong on that). However, a 'fix' is easy. Go to Add/Remove Programs and uninstall it. Then download it from this link and re-install it. It will run in the background after the install has finished, but it will not put an icon in the system tray down by the clock. By default, this feature is turned off. If you want the icon in the system tray at all times, open Defender, click Tools, click Options, and scroll down a bit until you see something where it says something like "Show icon in system tray" and the choices will be "Always" and "Only when Defender has detected something" (or something close to that). Obviously, check the circle next to "Always" and click the "Save" button at the bottom of the Defender window. If you want to see if it's running now before you mess with uninstalling/reinstalling it, open the task manager (Ctrl+Alt+Del) and click the "Processes" tab; look for msascui.exe; that's Defender's process. If you see it, Defender is running in the background. :-D
I hope this helps!

Happy Holidaze! :drink :wine

 

I tried to add this to my above post but I waited too long :-o

You can also right click on mspaint.exe and select "Pin to Start Menu". Then every time you click the Start button, Paint will be in the top left pane of the Start menu! :-D

 

Hi dlb and thank you SO much for the magnificent arsenal of step by step information, and in Christmas eve too!!! I was able to get to "mspaint.exe"...but :-o... I don't know where to find: C:\windows\system32\. I looked in Windows Explorer, My Computer, C:\ disk, but couldn't find it. How does one get to it?

So I tried the simpler way which you so kindly added, i.e., right click on mspaint.exe and select "Pin to Start Menu", but the dropdown didn't give that option it only gave "cut, copy, paste, properties" etc. This is what I mean when I say " trying to fix the strange things that happen in the way"... lol!

I'm sorry to be taking more of your time... I searched Google to find it, and they said at startup...and this is funny but while searching for system32...I found that Windows Defender is running. I went to msconfig, System Configuration Utility. Under "Service" column it said:
Service: Windows Defender. Manufacturer: Unknown. Status: Running. Is this the real thing since I didn't find msascui.exe in the Task Manager?

If not, I'll follow all your instructions tomorrow...but I hope that you will not take time from enjoying your Christmas, for me. I can wait until after Christmas.

Again a BIG THANK YOU for your wonderful help, and may your Holiday and New Year be all that you wish for! :^) Adela

 

I think that the System32 folder may be hidden. Open My Computer; click Tools at the top; click Folder Options; click the View tab; scroll down a little bit and you'll want to enable "Show hidden files/folders" and you want to disable "Hide system files/folders" (screen shot attached for clarity; when you're done it should look exactly like the screen shot). You'll get a warning when you disable "Hide system files/folders" so click on "OK" or "Yes". Click Apply, click OK. Then double click Drive C:, double click the Windows folder, scroll down and you should see System32. As to why you don't have "Pin to Start Menu" is a mystery, but you should be able to drag mspaint.exe to the quick-launch area next to the start button and it will run from there as long as you keep the mspaint.exe file in the same place it was when you dragged it.

I would follow the steps I listed for re-installing Defender, except before you uninstall it, go to the Services in msconfig and uncheck the Defender service, save the settings, restart the PC, uninstall, download a new copy from the link I provided, then re-install.

Good luck!

 

Hi dlb, how kind of you to follow up and show me a clear screenshot too! I was able this time to drag the "mspaint.exe" to my taskbar so now I have a paint editor thanks to you! I even made already a screenshot with it!

I now have a yellow folder "system32" on the C:\Windows page. I no longer need it now that I have paint editor. But it's good that you helped me locate it.

I was able to reinstall Defender and made sure "msascui.exe" was in Processes. The little icon is on my desktop, is it ok to delete it from there as I won't need to use it? Read somewhere that's ok to delete the "exe" icons from the desktop...

The 2 problems have been resolved thanks to you and your clear and easy-to-follow instructions...and tons of your generous patience! I didn't get it the first time as the intricacies of a computer are a perpetual puzzle to me where I easily get lost! lol!

Again, my deepest gratitude for all your help! Enjoy the Holidays and best ever wishes to you for 2009 and beyond! ) Adela

P.S. Oh I'm sorry, dlb, but re "mspaint.exe"...when I re-read your instructions I realized I didn't keep the "mspaint.exe" file in the same place as when I dragged it. So I deleted it and started over with the same steps, but this time, the "mspaint" wouldn't turn into "mspaint.exe" as it did before on double clicking. It took me instead directly to the paint page, but the "paste" in the dropdown was greyed out...

Not wanting to bother you more, :-o I tried some Google's ideas, like Windows Components/Accessories and Utilities where I saw the paint icon under "Subcomponents of Accessories" so I clicked and clicked all the way to finish and putting my XP CD on, but I never got the "mspaint.exe" so I could drag it to the "C:\Windows\System32", or to my taskbar as before... By now I gave up so if you think there's some light at the end of the tunnel for me, could you please direct me again? No rush, only at your convenience! Thank you with my apologies.