
This is not something we would call "obtrusive" or "bloated" like many of the security products currently on the market. Microsoft Security Essentials has one of the simplest and clearest GUIs we've seen for an antimalware solution. Now that you've got the necessary background information, let's take a closer at the different features of MSE. Nevertheless, it can be quite easily explained: Microsoft wants to avoid antitrust issues from competing security giants. This is a curious decision given that Redmond wants to push MSE out to all those who currently do not have a security solution (between 50 and 60 percent of Windows users, according to the company). Furthermore, there is no download link for MSE included in the final release of Windows 7, but there is for Windows Live Essentials. MSE won't be included in WLE, however, even though non-Windows Live applications like Silverlight are included in the suite. One might notice the "Essentials" branding that Microsoft is clearly pulling from Windows Live Essentials.

In short, while Microsoft's security updates are available for free to pirates, active protection from Redmond isn't.

Indeed, MSE's installer disables Windows Defender completely, which makes sense as it is a sort of superset to Windows Defender. It builds upon Windows Defender by offering both real-time protection and on-demand scanning for all types of malware.Īlthough you won't be asked for personal information or to register for anything, you'll need to pass the Windows Genuine Advantage validation to install MSE. Microsoft warns that MSE should not be installed alongside any other antimalware application. Microsoft Security Essentials is available for Windows XP 32-bit (8.61MB), Windows Vista/7 32-bit (4.28MB), and Windows Vista/7 64-bit (4.71MB). MSE is yet another layer of defense the company is offering to help its customers fight the threats that plague Windows PCs. After a short three-month beta program, Microsoft is officially releasing Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE), its free, real-time consumer antimalware solution for fighting viruses, spyware, rootkits, and Trojans.
