Join the Microsoft Security Essentials Ongoing Beta
Microsoft has released the final version of their security software Microsoft Security Essentials on the same day that they have released their latest operating system Windows 7.
Microsoft Security Essentials is a free antivirus software for the Windows operating system that can be downloaded and installed on PCs that pass a genuine advantage check.
Neowin today mentioned that Microsoft is currently accepting beta testers for the Microsoft Security Essentials Ongoing Beta.
Update: You can download Microsoft Security Essentials from Microsoft's website directly if you run Windows 7. This is the link. There is no ongoing beta anymore.
It seems that every Windows users with a valid Windows Live ID can join the beta test which provides access to beta versions of the security software. They need to answer a question about their operating system after log in and can then download the beta of Microsoft Security Essentials for Windows XP, Windows Vista or Windows 7.
Previous installations of Microsoft Security Essentials need to be uninstalled before the beta version can be installed. Microsoft has not released information about the changes in the available beta version. A version check reveals the following information (first final version, then beta)
Microsoft Security Essentials Version: 1.0.1611.0
Antimalware Client Version: 2.0.6212.0
Engine Version: 1.1.5302.0
Antivirus definitions: 1.71.328.0
Antispyware definitions: 1.71.328.0
Microsoft Security Essentials Version: 1.0.1743.0
Antimalware Client Version: 2.0.6212.0
Engine Version: 1.1.5302.0
Antivirus definitions: 1.71.346.0
Antispyware definitions: 1.71.346.0
The only differences are the higher program version and the definition files although those are likely shared between the public version and the beta version.
The downloaded beta of Microsoft Security Essentials will display as version 1.0.1676.0 at the beginning. The strange thing is that the Update check in the program will not raise the version to 1.0.1743.0. To get to version 1.0.1743.0 users need to click on Help > Upgrade Microsoft Security Essentials instead.
Update: Microsoft Security Essentials is still being updated regularly by Microsoft. The company has already announced plans to make the software available for their upcoming operating system Windows 8 as well.
Update 2:Â Windows Security Essentials is not available for Windows 8 or 10, but Windows Defender is. It is basically an updated version of Security Essentials that Microsoft built right into the operating system.
You can start the program by tapping on the Windows-key button on your keyboard, and typing Windows Defender.
