• Microsoft Security Essentials available – but don’t install it yet

    Posted on June 24, 2009 at 05:07 CDT by • Comment in the Forums

    As promised, Microsoft has just posted Microsoft Security Essentials, formerly known as Morro, in both 32-bit and 64-bit flavors. MSE is Microsoft’s free antivirus/antimalware product that replaces both the old Windows Live OneCare (which is no longer available) and Windows Defender.

    Yes, installing MSE automatically disables Windows Defender. That confirms a feeling I blogged about a couple of months ago, that Microsoft intends to orphan Windows Defender.

    I’m playing with the official version right now. It’s interesting, but you shouldn’t use it on anything but a test PC. If you don’t have a test computer that you’re willing to sacrifice, don’t install MSE just yet.

    If you do have a test PC and want to take Morro for a ride, follow the usual precautions for switching antivirus products:

    1. Download the new product (MSE), but don’t install it.

    2. Unplug your computer from the Internet.

    3. Uninstall your old antivirus product.

    4. Re-boot your computer.

    5. Install MSE. It will tell you when you need to re-connect to the Internet.

    UPDATE: Microsoft supposedly restricts MSE downloads to computers that are in the US, Brazil and Israel: the download site says, “This beta is available only to customers in the United States, Israel (English only), People’s Republic of China (Simplified Chinese only) and Brazil (Brazilian Portuguese only).”  Tosh. I didn’t have any trouble at all downloading and installing it in Phuket, Thailand. The trick? Use Firefox.

    Windows Patches/Security
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