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How to manually update the DAT files for VirusScan Enterprise 8.x
Technical Articles ID:  KB51679
Last Modified:  10/03/2013
Rated:

Environment

McAfee VirusScan Enterprise 8.x
McAfee DAT files
 

Summary

Sometimes it is necessary to manually update the DAT files for VirusScan Enterprise, for example, when running a SuperDAT or when a Scheduled AutoUpdate fails.

Solution

To manually update the DAT files for VirusScan Enterprise 8.7i and later
  1. Obtain the latest DAT files:
    1. Using Windows Explorer, create a temporary folder C:\DAT.
    2. Download the latest DAT.

      To download a DAT, Engine, XDAT or Stinger, go to http://www.mcafee.com/apps/downloads/security-updates/security-updates.aspx.

      You might have to download these if your automated update fails or if you want to use an ExtraDAT on an infected system.
       

    3. Download avvdat-xxxx.zip (where xxxx is the latest DAT version). Example: avvdat-6446.zip.
  1. Allow changes to McAfee services:
    1. Click Start, Programs, McAfee, VirusScan Console.
    2. Double-click Access Protection, deselect Prevent McAfee services from being stopped, and click OK.
    3. Exit the VirusScan Console.
  1. Stop McAfee services:
    1. Click Start, Run, type services.msc, then press ENTER.
    2. Right-click each of the following services and select Stop:
       
      • McAfee McShield
      • McAfee Framework
         
    3. Exit the Services screen.
  1. Extract the DAT file
    1. Using WinZip or a similar file compression utility, extract the .DAT file. Example: avvdat-6446.zip.
    2. Hold the CTRL key and select the following extracted files:
      • avvclean.dat
      • avvnames.dat
      • avvscan.dat
         
    3. Right-click on one of the selected files and click Copy.
    4. Browse to C:\Program Files\Common Files\McAfee\Engine.
    5. Right-click the Engine directory and select Paste.
    6. When prompted to replace the existing files, select Yes to All.
  1. Restart McAfee services: 
    1. Click Start, Run, type services.msc, then press ENTER.
    2. Right-click each of the services below and select Start:

      McAfee McShield
      McAfee Framework
       
    3. Exit the Services screen.
       
  2. Verify the DAT version has been updated: 
    1. Click Start, Programs, McAfee, and select VirusScan Console.
    2. Click Help, About.

      The virus definitions should now indicate the latest DAT version is installed.
     
  3. Prevent changes to McAfee services: 
    1. Click Start, Programs, McAfee, VirusScan Console.
    2. Double-click Access Protection, select Prevent McAfee services from being stopped, and click OK.
    3. Exit VirusScan Console.

Related Information

For more information on WinZip, see KB72766.

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