Microsoft “Security Essentials” beta released

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Microsoft has been developing a Antivirus – Antispyware application over the past year. Today (June 23) they released a Beta version to the public to try. From the reports I have read, there are no noticeable bugs. It installs, scans and updates automatically without issue.

To be sure, there will be improvements made rather rapidly by Microsoft so as to get the final product out as well as doing continual upgrades. Because this is brand new, there have been no comparative tests made to see how it fares with other AV applications at this time. Doubtless, these will be done with much anticipation.

Security Essentials is compatible with XP, Vista and Windows 7 systems. No reboot is required after installation.

NOTE: You MUST uninstall any currently installed AV program before installing Security Essentials. This is standard practice with all AV programs.

What is Microsoft Security Essentials
You’re too busy to spend a lot of time worrying about protecting your PC. With Microsoft Security Essentials Beta, you get high-quality protection against viruses and spyware, including Trojans, worms and other malicious software. And best of all, there are no costs or annoying subscriptions to keep track of.

Security Essentials is easy to install and easy to use. Updates and upgrades are automatic, so there’s no need to worry about having the latest protection. It’s easy to tell if you’re protected – when the Security Essentials icon is green, your status is good. It’s as simple as that.

When you’re busy using your PC, you don’t want to be bothered by needless alerts. Security Essentials runs quietly in the background, only alerting you if there’s something you need to do. And it doesn’t use a lot of system resources, so it won’t get in the way of your work or fun.

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).Please visit the more information page to learn more about system requirements, our End User License Agreement and other important information.

Here is the link for Microsoft Security Essentials.

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Microsoft has been developing a Antivirus – Antispyware application over the past year. Today (June 23) they released a Beta version to the public to try. From the reports I have read, there are no noticeable bugs. It installs, scans and updates automatically without issue.

I’ve installed it on three machines so far. Just uninstalled AVG on 2 and Avast on the other. MSE installed without a hitch. At the end of the install the A/V and anti-spyware definitions were updated and a quick scan was run.

Now, just see what happens.

Joe

--Joe

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I’ve installed it on three machines so far. Just uninstalled AVG on 2 and Avast on the other. MSE installed without a hitch. At the end of the install the A/V and anti-spyware definitions were updated and a quick scan was run.

Now, just see what happens.

Joe

Joe, did you have to take any special measures to totally uninstall AVG before installing MSE?

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Joe, did you have to take any special measures to totally uninstall AVG before installing MSE?

No. Just uninstalled from Add/remove programs (XP) & Uninstall a program (Vista) and re-booted when asked.

Joe

--Joe

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Thanks, Joe. Given Pilgrim’s early issues I think I’ll wait a while before installing MSE to see what else may pop up.

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Joe, did you have to take any special measures to totally uninstall AVG before installing MSE?

Just to mention an alternative.

The AVG setup file (installation package downloaded from their site) can also be used to uninstall the copy installed.

In general I see no problem with using “Add and remove programs” and then doing a restart and perhaps removing one or two folders.

But the advantage with using a fresh setup file (the latest or similar) is that it “knows” about all the different components. Sometimes AVG updates the core files and user interface etc. perhaps even adding new components. If one then uses the old uninstaller (or to be more precise the “setup.exe” file in the AVG folder; setup.exe /UNINSTALL) via the Control Panel it could perhaps happen that it doesn’t recognise all files.

True, as all AVG users probably have seen, every now and then AVG includes a new “setup.exe” file in their program updates, so it should not be needed. And for those changing AV program, not reinstalling AVG, I understand that it feels unnecessary to download a 60 MB setup file only to be used as an uninstaller.

If you like, see: 1248: How to uninstall AVG permanently
http://free.avg.com/faq.num-1248#faq_1248

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Now, just see what happens.

On the XP Pro system (virtual machine) that I’ve installed “Security Essentials” I almost immediately encountered a problem after a non-eventful install, update and scan. Automatic Updates came up with a few items to download/install which I expectedly ok’d. I noticed a long delay and opened up Task Manager to see CPU usage spiked at 98%-100%. The culprit was Security Essentials. So, I ended the process and things progressed normally but the Automatic Updates notification icon was gone. Soooo, I went to Windows Update via IE and let it do its thing but Security Essentials came back on and again the CPU issue.

I haven’t tested downloading a file to see if this issue would repeat itself thinking that anytime the “Real-time Protection” is invoked it taxes the CPU. I do know disabling “Real-time Protection” in Settings resolves the problem. Has anyone else had this CPU problem? or even noticed that this is happening under the same or different circumstances?

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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).Please visit the more information page to learn more about system requirements, our End User License Agreement and other important information.

Canadian loungers may be in luck. I managed to download the installation package with no problems or hassles.

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That didn’t take long, I missed out….
”
Alert!

Thank you for your interest in joining the Microsoft® Security Essentials Beta. We are not accepting additional participants at this time. Please check back at later a date for possible additional availability.

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