Sometimes you need to manually update the DAT files for VSE. For example, when a Scheduled AutoUpdate fails or when you run a SuperDAT file.

To manually update the DAT files for VirusScan Enterprise 8.8:

1. Obtain the latest DAT files:
   1. Using Windows Explorer, create the temporary folder C:\DAT.
   2. Download the latest DAT. To download a DAT, Engine, XDAT, or Stinger file, go to https://www.mcafee.com/enterprise/en-us/downloads/security-updates.html.
      
      You might need to download these files if your automated update fails, or if you want to use an Extra.DAT on an infected system.
   3. Download ####xdat.exe (where #### is the latest DAT version). Example: 7123xdat.exe

2. 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.

3. Stop McAfee services:
   1. Click Start, Run, type services.msc, and then press Enter.
   2. Right-click each of the following services and select Stop:
       
      • McAfee McShield
      • McAfee Framework
         
   3. Exit the Services screen.

4. Extract the DAT file:
   1. Using WinZip or a similar file compression utility, extract the DAT file. For example: avvdat-7123.zip.
   2. Press and 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, click Yes to All.

5. Restart McAfee services: 
   1. Click Start, Run, type services.msc, and then press Enter.
   2. Right-click each of the services below and click Start: 
      
      McAfee McShield
      McAfee Framework
       
   3. Exit the Services screen.
       
6. Verify that the DAT version has been updated: 
   1. Click Start, Programs, McAfee, and select VirusScan Console.
   2. Click Help, About. The virus definitions now indicate that the latest DAT version is installed.
       
7. 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 the VirusScan console.