Microsoft Security Essentials Review (With Screenshots)

By Nakodari on Jun 17 2009 158 Comments

Microsoft Security Essentials is the name of Microsoft’s latest Anti-Virus/Anti-Spyware software for Windows operating system. It is already being tested internally at Microsoft and is rumored to launch in September of this year. We were lucky to gets hands on the pre-beta build version of Security Essentials. I tested it on Windows Vista and was quite impressed with it. Below is the complete review along with some interesting findings.

Update: Microsoft Security Essentials has finally been released to the public, check it out here.

Note: Click the images below to enlarge.

Installation

Installation was a breeze, here are the step-by-step procedure for installation. When you run the installer for the first time, you are shown the welcome screen, click Next.

microsoft security essentials - installation Read the License Agreement and click I accept.

microsoft security essentials - installation 2 Here is the real bummer for those who are using non-genuine versions of Windows. This step will validate whether your Windows is genuine or not. Click Validate to check, if your Windows is validated you will be moved to next step, otherwise installation will fail.

microsoft security essentials - installation validate Now once your Windows has been validated, Security Essentials will now get ready to be installed. Click Install to begin installation.

microsoft security essentials - installation ready Installing…

microsoft security essentials - installing Once installation is complete, check the Scan My Computer checkbox and click Finish.

microsoft security essentials - installation complete

Using Security Essentials

Once installation is complete, you will be redirected to automatic virus & spyware definition updates.

microsoft security essentials - updates Now go to Home tab where you will be notified that everything is running smoothly.

microsoft security essentials - home To perform a System Scan, you can select from any one of the three options, Quick, Full, or Custom. First, I performed a quick scan to see how well it goes. The Quick scan was not so quick as the name suggests, it took several minutes(10 minutes to be exact on my system) to complete.

microsoft security essentials - quick scan I did not perform a Full Scan since it would have taken more than 20 minutes 2-3 hours easily. So I went straight ahead with Custom Scan. You have to choose the exact drive or destination that you would like to scan and click OK.

Update: For those thinking why I did not perform a full scan, the problem was not about time(although I did perform it later). There was no need to review the Full Scan option, because it is just similar to Quick Scan but instead scanned all locations of hard disk.

microsoft security essentials - custom scan

This is how the Home window looks like when a threat is detected.

microsoft security essentials - threat detectedTo remove this threat, click Clean Computer button. It seems like a Trojan was sitting on my computer which NOD32 failed to detect.

microsoft security essentials - remove trojan

I have to commend Security Essentials for finding and removing this stupid Trojan.

microsoft security essentials - clean trojan

To schedule a scan you can either click Change My Scan Schedule link on the Home window or go straight to Settings.

microsoft security essentials - schedule scan Below are some additional screenshots of Default action, Real-time protection, and Advanced settings.

microsoft security essentials - default action microsoft security essentials - real time protection microsoft security essentials - advanced settingsIn History tab you can see all Detected Items, Quarantined Items, and Allowed Items. To remove all history, click Delete History button.

microsoft security essentials - history

Conclusion

Since I tested the pre-beta build, it is quite difficult to draw the final verdict. But one thing that held out is it’s ease-of-use and small memory footprint. The overall size of the software installer is only 4.8MB and takes around 6.6MB + 36MB(runs two different processes) when running on my system. Which is quite impressive if you look at the fact that it detected and removed a Trojan downloader that NOD32 even failed to detect in the first place. Just for the sake of comparison ESET NOD32 takes 35MB of system memory, which means approx 28.4MB more than Security Essentials. ;) Enjoy!

Newer Comments →

  • Pingback: Morro To Be Named Microsoft Security Essentials? | KGRAND ONLINE NEWS

  • Pingback: Microsoft Security Essentials – Morro?

  • John Davis

    Wow, most impressive.

    • JG

      Can I just say ignore the comments below this is a cool review and I like it. I was cuirous about the install and generaqlly dont use av programs I just dont download viruses lol.

      • Colin

        You need help badly. If you do not use Antivirus. Sick.

        • kyle

          I don’t use an anti-virus, am I a bad person? I had MSE installed, and it failed to detect one of the fake anti virus virus, I how ever armed with process explorer and msconfig found and removed it. MSE takes too much cpu and bandwidth when updating, and its annoying so I had to fully disable it since you cant disable auto updates.

          That’s how real geeks take care of viruses.

  • http://www.blogiseverything.com Matthew

    “Morro” looks promising.

    Can wait to test out the beta!

  • John

    Those sure were a ton of graphics. Nice review, it really told me how much time you took taking screenshots versus actually using the application.

    • http://www.addicitivetips.com Nakodari

      The application is running on my system by default since installation. I have spend quite some time testing it out.

  • Zem

    “It seems like a Trojan was sitting on my computer which NOD32 failed to detect.”

    “Which is quite impressive if you look at the fact that it detected and removed a Trojan downloader that NOD32 even failed to detect in the first place.”

    Pfff! N00b. Perhaps a false positive … perhaps not … a good test would be to run it for a few months while online, uninstall it and try NOD32 or whatever afterwards and then see who fails to detect.

    • http://www.addicitivetips.com Nakodari

      For your information, I have used a lot of Anti-Virus software over time. This was not a false positive, it was indeed a trojan downloader which AVG also detected afterwards. But the first anti-virus to detect it was Security Essentials, thats my point!

      • Zem

        Then you should know that each and every a/v package has strengths and weaknesses and they do suffer from false positives – perhaps not in this case. A common false positive is “pwdump” or the like. A/V apps often flag it, yet it is not a malicious program – it does what it says it does.

        I wouldn’t rate missing one trojan as being a definitive decision to toss NOD32 for MS Essentials. What about rootkits? Spyware? Keyloggers? E-mail scanning? Web page protection? Removable device protection? Self protection? Update management? etc…. How well did Essentials do?

        I thought this was a review not a “how to click-install with pics”?

        Thought: given MS outward appreciation for DRM, how long do you think it will be before they start targeting DVD or MP3 ripping tools with Essentials? And then P2P software??

        Pass.

        • http://www.addicitivetips.com Nakodari

          I second your opinion where you say every a/v package has it’s strength and weakness. I did not infect my computer with all above mentioned viruses, so I wouldn’t know how they fared. It was just that NOD32 was running in my system, so I compared with it. This post is not about bashing NOD32 or any other anti-virus, it was just a general review showing all parts of Security Essentials.

          • Linc

            NOD32 had it for 3 years. Great package. I work in IT and have come across various security packages on customers machines. NOD32 is one of the best along with Kaspersky. Forget the rest.

        • http://www.ithinkdiff.com Imran Hussain

          What rubbish! Are you insane? What does DRM have to do with MSE?
          FYI, you can rip MP3′s using Windows Media Player itself.
          You noobs can’t even come up with a good enough reason against Microsoft.

          • Ilija Kostic

            Have you tried to copy MP3s ripped with Windows Media Player on another machine?
            Did it work?

            • Matt

              Yes, works fine. MP3 files don’t have DRM, dingbat.

              Only WMA files can contain DRM, and even then they don’t have DRM in them when you rip from a CD, ever. When you download DRM’d music from Zune Marketplace, it has DRM in the WMA, however. But most releases are moving to MP3 anyway so that’s a non issue.

              Find another way to bash on MS.

              ps, been using MSE since beta start, love it, it’s great.

        • Androx

          @Zem you're a bloody moron. Ever heard of WMP ripping music? Home users 'Shouldn't Pay for Anti-virus software' Period.

        • DaE

          if you are not satisfied with MSE, then u juz use ESET, dun comment on others when u urself have weaknesses. I thought ESET scans slower than MSE. And I have tested them (both ESEt and MSE) using various virus, trojan etc. test files. You know what? ESET missed two of the tests while MSE passed all of it. Why dun u try it urself and look at the results? and you will know MSE is very recommended. Well, i can't deny that ESEt is a powerful security programme, but MSE is really better. Sorry if i annoyed you…

        • Charles

          Wow, since you fucking know everything, why don't you write the next anti-virus that detects all signatures and uses less than 40 kb (yes, kb) of RAM, asshole?

        • rreinman

          very well put, as I always am skeptical. People usually don”t know how to really test new software. Somebody out there has to prove me wrong that AVG has always been a great product for me for the past 9 years, not to mention the excellent job they do with their web scanning tool. Someone out there needs to contact me and prove another virus tool is better than AVG… Note: I am an independent, and am not associated with Grisoft in any way.

        • Christie Bella

          @Zem: Where are you coming from exactly?!? HAHA oh my GOD- where did you read anything about a “definitive decision to toss NOD32 for MS Essentials?” – The reviewer stated a simple fact- that MSE picked up a trojan that NOD32 did not- uh, that's it- then all of a sudden you ran off with it, getting all defensive, making arrogant (“Pfff! Noob”) & assanine comments- dragging it out & creating a way bigger deal out of a simple statement than was warranted. Well, unless… Is NOD32 your girlfriend?
          Regarding the graphics- people are drawn more to images than just text- especially in terms of a review- the images, which are used to illustrate for you visually what the text is describing- are an essential part of any review. MSE is divided into tabbed sections- so it makes sense to me to review it tab-by-tab, providing the relevent screenshots of which to accompany the words with- resulting in a clearer, more complete description of the application.

      • Bodrum

        Nod 32 did not detect it MSE detected it before AVG,how many AV programs can one have installed on a P.C?

      • pavel

        if you install a new AV you always find a “thing” that the previuos one didnt detect….and why?..because every AV detects certain threats which wants to detect, and considers as a threat…after unistalling norton due to licence expiration I also installed MS essential which detected a trojan forgotten by symantec…the thing I am trying to say is that measuring the AV quality by saying this AV detected this and that trojan and the other one didnt do so is completly wrong…maybe after a while when u make a decision to unistall MS essential and you go back to ESET, Symentec or whatever else I am pretty sure you’ll find some uncleaned threats forgotten by MS essentials ‘cos of the reason mentioned above

    • Joshua

      Moronic comment… Can’t come up with a good reason to bitch at MS that you have to make it a “probable” false positive.. Guess what? MSE got the highest score on “not getting a false positive.” While all the other anti-virus programs got a few–including NOD32 that you probably jerk off to every night–, MSE got none. Eat that douche.

      • http://twitter.com/ltGuillaume Willem Nuijen

        That's because it doesn't have a heuristics scanner. And to be honest, I'd rather have false positives than no heuristics at all. Especially combined with the fact that MSE sometimes doesn't update for up to 7 days, leaving you totally unprotected for any new threats released in that period.

    • Tao41

      Pffft! FAG!! The only false positive in this comment section is you pretending know what you're talking about. Since you're such a damned genius, please tell us the cure for every disease and program the ultimate OS with anti-virus. We'll call it ZemOS-1, the OS of Jesus Christ. Watch it walk on fucking water.

      • http://twitter.com/ltGuillaume Willem Nuijen

        Let's keep it nice here, shall we? Apart from the n00b-calling by Zem, he's posted very constructive comments and a nice thought to brainstorm on, as of all programs a virusscanner would indeed have the most power to corrupt illegal programs (or programs promoting illegal activities) while staying off the radar. I'm not saying it will be Microsoft that implements such, but it a virusscanner definitely the best type of program to allow this form of control.

    • Richard

      It's All good Stuff. BUT,,, It seems to take a very long time when opening windows folders which have large *.exe files in them.
      I would like to see a password protected user interface, to stop others from turning of the real time scanning, which I know Slows Things down when exploring Folders.
      Otherwise All Is Good. I have since removed my Mcafee in favour.

  • http://dansatori.md Rodislav Moldovan

    What`s the difference between MS Live OneCare and MS Security Essential ? the point is MS said about their a/v that live oncare .. is not good

    • http://www.youtube.com/user/DominatorMatrix Brad

      It is a more simpler version of it, and it is free. It does not auto defrag, or temp clean like onecare, but it is a free product, plus Vista+Windows 7 do that automatically.

      Its basically the same engine though.

    • Bodrum

      MSE is One Care without the bloat ,Onecare had the best proactive detection along with Nod32 & Kaspersky .Google avcomparatives proactive test results

    • Eric

      Does that mean just because live one care was not good that MSE is not good?

      People need to chill.

      In here its one complaint after another that does not need to be

  • http://filesmixx.com Jacob

    Wow, most impressive..

  • Pingback: MakinMo's Tech Blog

  • Dr Geek

    False positives are very minimal in OneCare even in proactive (heuristic based detections) according to av comparatives testing. I assume MS Security Essentials is built off the same technology as the discontinued OneCare.

    Does this replace Windows Defender, if so, does it uninstall Defender first automatically?

    The small installer size seems to indicate the virus defs are not included, and are downloaded on first run.

    Will this be natively included in Win7? a september release could indicate they intend to bundle this in the final release of Win7 is October, not sure if 1-2months is sufficient for going gold of the relase of win7 though.

    The manual scan speeds seem poor, this would also be indicative of the realtime protection mbps throughput which would result in a slower system overall.

    I wonder if they have worked together with the Win7 team to try and implement mechanisms to improve scanning capability with NTFS metadata?

    • http://www.addicitivetips.com Nakodari

      I can answer your questions that I believe are correct in my opinion.

      1. No, it did not remove Windows Defender from my system.

      2. Yes, most virus definitions are downloaded on first run.

      3. I am not sure whether it will be included in Windows 7 by default or not. I believe if Microsoft does include it, then they should be expecting hundreds of fresh lawsuits both from EU and other Anti-Virus companies.

      4. It all depends on the user, for some 30 minutes would be quick and for some it would be too slow. The more files you have the longer it is going to take.

      5. No idea about the last question.

  • johnny bravo

    “Here is the real bummer for those who are using non-genuine versions of Windows. This step will validate whether your Windows is genuine or not. Click Validate to check, if your Windows is validated you will be moved to next step, otherwise installation will fail.”

    …funny. Of course, the second most popular OS behind Microsoft Windows is…. BOOTLEG Microsoft Windows. Take that, China.

    • http://www.addicitivetips.com Nakodari

      I wrote this because most users around the world are using non-genuine Windows too. But I believe soon there will be a crack or some pirated version of this anti-virus that will make it possible to get installed on non-genuine Windows too.

      Btw it has nothing to do with China, piracy happens all around the world, not only in one country.

    • Dr Geek

      Its only a installer WGA check, heck, one coud manually insert the drivers/services with a script to avoid it. But China (yes, its china) always releases wga circumvent tools for other wga checks.

  • Pingback: Computing and Internet: Microsoft Security Essentials [Full Review]

  • Pingback: Windowsi enda viirusetõrje « Tehnoloogik

  • Dr Geek

    OneCare took a while to catch up with their virus defs to match other leading antivir companies. Even now, they still have room to polish their detection rates, however their false positives are low which is great. Now being a free product, I wonder how they intend to financially support the investment of time required to collect, identify, and create virus patterns, its not like MSN Messenger, where one has the client open and will be visible to banner ads, so whats the Microsoft catch to free AV? IMO, a win7 with its own av software included seems to sell better to the consumer, other than that, theres no financial benefit for microsoft in this?

  • Dr Geek

    All in all, it was good to see screen preview of Microsoft’s upcoming AV, god knows how this individual got his hands on it.

    Would like to see it professionally reviewed by a real security expert who could compare/contrast detection rates.

    I also agree that its unfair to state this product did a good job based on it finding a single file entry that another scanner missed.

    I dislike the fact that the reports fail to show the infected source file, just like Norton’s products, it makes it less-transparent to the more advanced user.

  • Dr Geek

    oh, how about leaking the beta? Thats the beauty of bit-torrent

    • Eric

      All you have to do is type Microsoft Security Essentials into google and walla, there is a link to microsoft site and download it for free. It has been on download for a while now.

      • Nightwriter

        The word you're trying to use is “voila” not “walla”.

        • shayne

          hahaha

          • Karson

            I told my grndaomhter how you helped. She said, “bake them a cake!”

  • Pingback: Microsoft readies free PC security software | Take A Plunge

  • KungFuChicken

    Microsoft released that it was not going to be packaged with the release of Win7.

  • Harry Ohara

    I just hope that the new Adobe AntiVir will be as good as promissed. The lastet version is running very fast on my system.

  • Pingback: Jean-Marie Gall.com

  • Pingback: Microsoft anti virus | Computertaal

  • http://www.petri.co.il Sergey Babkevych

    Microsoft Anti Virus is beter and more good and not “eating” memory and etc .
    I dont understand one thing … why only today Microsoft did an a VERY good and VERY impressive.

    With Windows Defender + Morro + Updates = More secure OS and more stable OS.

    Microsoft did a very good work and the Beta is very good like Windows 7 RC1 .. most impressive …

    • http://www.addicitivetips.com Nakodari

      Security Essentials will replace Windows Defender in the future. Since the version I tested was only Pre-Beta this is why it didn’t remove Windows Defender.

      • Nick

        Nakodari,

        Nod 32 is a true Antivirus, not a Spyware or a Malware program, which is why it will not detect, much less remove the Trojan. For that, you would need something like Malwarebytes AntiMalware or Super AntiSpyware. I have been using all the three programs for a quite a long time and have not had any problem so far. You must keep updating the latest definitions to be safe.
        Regards

        Nick

        • Jus

          Wow your really pimping Nod 32. Have shares in the company or something? Nod 32 sapps your resources.

          And having to run 3 programs to do the job that one program should do is dumb. Microsoft could not bundle antivirus software and instead create a program that is stable and secure. 2cp

      • Eric

        I got the finished build and is it still keep defender on.

        • rogerSC

          Nope, you're wrong, I could not have Microsoft Security Essentials and Windows Defender on at the same time. MSE turns off Windows Defender, sorry.

  • http://www.petri.co.il Sergey Babkevych

    ” Security Essentials will replace Windows Defender in the future ”

    But now the good way is :
    With Windows Defender + Morro + Updates = More secure OS and more stable OS.
    :) ..

    It will take time to complite the Beta testing and RC testing . i thing it will over in 2011 ..
    When Microsoft finish Windows 7 and they will finish Morro .. :)

  • http://www.spywareblockersinc.com Gary

    Nice job. Thanks for the hard work!

  • shraqs

    Already download. Works great. It’s light, that’s the best part of MSE

  • Pingback: Microsoft not 'Morro' its 'Microsoft Security Essentials'

  • Pingback: KanManDet.Dk » Microsoft Security Essentials - Beta (Now Available)

  • Carbon

    Heh. I doubt that ESET’s NOD 32 would fail to pick something up. It’s the highest rated program you can get. Top notch. MSE is nothing more than a free version of Windows Live OneCare with a new GUI and striped features. When OneCare was released and reviewed, it was deemed slow, which would explain why it took TEN minutes to do a quick scan. Also, OneCare had a very low detection rate. One of the lowest at that, it was utter crap. Along with having a low detection rate, which left the user open to vulnerabilities, it was known to often generate false positives. In other words, pick up a clean file, as malicious. The only thing you did was delete a clean file.

    Also, there is no information on how this program affects the HDD, slowing your system down.

    MSE:
    Slow
    Poor GUI
    Vunerable
    Faise Positives

    One product I will NOT be installing on my computer.

    I’ll stick with my version of ESET Smart Security 4. Thanks.

    • Darkxuy

      wow, how many statements based on missinformated assumptions.

      IMHO you are totally wrong, but please try the software yourself and make your own conclusions, that if you even care to discuss about something you actually know.

    • Eric

      I used Eset Smart Security 4 before, and it sucked up so much crap, and slowed vista down that I would not go back to it. I would not recommend eset SS4. I used nod32 which was good, but when they put out the eset SS4 it went downhill.

  • Aiscer

    I hate to disagree Carbon.

    But there is really no 100% Security Software out there. If there was one imagine how easy life is. It might as well be saying that we have an ideal world.

    Let’s give it the benefit of doubt.

  • lusitanian

    it’s funny how some people always bash MS no matter what, even if the product is good. I am one of those that had OneCare and happened to like it. It did not slow my PC down and was very easy to use.

    I tested AVG, McAfee, Avira and Norton 360. I eventually purchased Norton which I sent back since it prevented one of my PC’s running Windows Vista from browsing the Internet. It also slowed down my PC.

    I am currently testing the Beta version of MSE and so far so good. For those that still want to bash MSE, here is a link to some information regarding MSE:

    http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/news/index.cfm?RSS&NewsID=118060

  • Pingback: Microsoft Morro Overthrows OneCare : Technochase

  • James

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qD1WfImw97E&feature=channel_page
    Here’s a link to a video of a computer technician reviewing windows security essentials.IMO its great.Its a big change from windows live onecare.And for your information, all links a re malicious.Just be thankful it the scan does not slow down your computer like kaspersky does.(not saying kaspersky sucks,it just uses a lot of ram during sanning)

  • Pingback: Best IT Website in the Maldives, Maldives Information Technology by Mohamed Shaheed

  • http://www.youtube.com/user/DominatorMatrix Brad

    One thing I have noticed, the first quickscan is slow, then half way thought it speeds along. All other scans are much faster so it must be white listing/doing something.

    Tested on W7RC/XPSP3 and works fantastic. Caught 2 fake codec/anti virus that was leaking on twitter.

    Its fast/light, and although not as feature packed as Onecare, it is free, so you can’t argue over that :) .

    I’m sure it will fly past the other Free antivirus’s/some paid due to it getting a larger market share (eventually). More computers–>Faster Detection–>Better Detection.

    I like how in the help section you can send off a missed sample, I have done as such and you get a lovely email saying if it was detected/what it was/if it was added to list. (Which BTW it was).

    If you are wondering what it detected, its here http://tinyurl.com/me4k73

  • Robert

    Hi Nako, thanks for the review. Please ignore the flamers. I’ve been using this security software since it came out and it seems to work well. Although doing a full scan sure does take a long time (about 2 hours on 200 gigs!) on my p-7811fx.

  • Nevi

    Its true.NOD32 is NOT good to find,especially rogue trojans.But besides that,I think NOD32 isd a good antivirus.Its just the new Microsoft antivirus(I have used it a little over a week) do find those trojans NOD32 miss.And also very important,the new antivirus from MS is using almost less resources than NOD32.Not bad!
    Since 3 years ago,where I switched from Kaspersky because it was too heavy on resources (IMO),I have tried to find an antivirus,that had:
    1:The ability to find as much as possible
    2:uses as little CPU and RAM as possible.

    Until now I have found NOD32 and Antivir.Thats probably 2 of the best with these priorities.
    But after I have tried MS´s new antivirus,I have switched to that one.And its even a beta at the moment.I think its gonna be a bomb under the antivirus vendors,with lawsuits and whatever.
    Way to go MS (thats the first time I have wrote that, lol!)

  • ZiA
  • DeathRow

    I’ve been using this software for some time now, and it seems to work great. It detected a simple BATCH virus that NOD32, AVG, avast!, and BitDefender failed to detect (it was on a removable thumb drive btw). It’s light on the system too–much more than avast! or NOD32. It is NOT however, a full fledged suite, which is something you might want (Zonealarm Extreme is good, but kind of heavy). Anyway, it’s made by Microsoft which means that it has wonderful integration with Windows. It replaces Windows Defender and will automatically turn it off (confirmed by a Microsoft Security Engineer). All in all, a good product!

  • Jim

    After I installed this program, my computer started hanging during shutdown. It would stop at “saving settings” for about 2 minutes then continue to shut down. After I removed MSE shut down took seconds to complete. I do have uphclean installed, but it did not help.

    Maybe the beta needs some more work.

  • Nahabze

    I’ve been using it for about a month, and I’m very pleased with it’s overall performance and effectiveness. One thing I noticed yesterdaythough, is that there’s no way to disable it when you have it running. I haven’t looked at it closely yet, but I hope you don’t have to uninstall it to temporarily disable it. That would be a pretty heavy-handed approach to controlling the behavior of it’s users (what’s new there?). Perhaps that’s just one element of it’s still being in beta, however.

  • naoan

    @Nahabze
    disable? you must mean the real time protection?
    it’s there on the option I believe, just not as straightforward as other antivirus.
    on a software note, tried this, but after some 3 hours+ of scanning almost full 1/2TB harddisk it hanged on me… back to Avira then… but honestly the product is not bad especially considering that it is FREE

  • Jimmy

    what really makes u think i might think of removing NOD and install a beta-version .. plus can they after releasing the non beta-version ask to be paid ?

  • Robert

    I wouldn’t be too concerned about NOD 32 failing to detect one virus that Microsoft did detect. No doubt there are some viruses that NOD323 can detect that Microsoft can’t. While interesting, no valid conclusion can be drawn from one incident like this.

    Please note that I am not a NOD 32 fan. I don’t like their somewhat secretive attitide toward their product–I quit using it when there was a potential exploit in their code and they failed to tell users about it in a timely manner–even when there was a manual fix available.

    I am also not a Microsoft fan either. They have long neglected security in favor or marketing, and they are just now starting to do a better, more responsible job at security. It’s about time they came out with a good, unobtrusive, less resoursource-intensive security product. Let’s hope they do the same with their other applications!

    Regards,

  • Pingback: Microsoft Security Essentials será el nuevo antivirus de Microsoft | InterArtix

  • Pingback: Get Extra Layer Of Internet Security & Protection In Windows 7

  • Kenjisan

    I have used and dumped many Pay/Free Antivirus/Malware/Trojan/Rootkit Progs since the late 80s. I was using Comodo CIS, and was pleased. I use Vista x86, soon Windows7 x64. I have been testing and now have updated my MSE……it is great and easy and FREE! Finally Microsoft is doing an OS and Security Right for the Common User. I also run Linux and OS X…..I prefer Vista Sp2 and Windows Seven (I am Testing also)….they are Great. Newbies that cannot remember Dos days and huge floppies sound as young and stupid as I did when I thought Microsoft was a Joke as an Apple MacIntosh snob. Welcome to the future….Microsoft and Linux……the rest are no longer innovative. I was an Apple head since 1984……….but retired when it became another Intel OS.

    Ken the aged Computer Geek.

    • Kenjisan

      Did I just say that? I still ponder the thought Antivirus/Malware Corps hire hackers to create the threats they ask PC users to pay them to remove with their software. Hmmm. Art Bell might know.And amybe, just maybe Microsoft is doing for free what other pay to cause? Nawww.

      Ken the aged PC Geek.

  • Mike

    It works for me. I have never fallen for spin-doctor scaring tactics to get people to invest in paid-for anti-malware products. MSE has been the missing piece of the puzzle – I am only surprised it took this long – and it is here at last.
    All I want is something simple (no nags) and something I can trust. Hate MS all you like but they had massive resources to fall back on when creating MSE, and I subsequently trust them to do a good job. All those years of sucking in data and examining it has, I believe, produced a product that will suit the masses perfectly and do an outstanding job. Why would you spend good money when this is free, very good, and trustworthy.
    Bash it for technical reasons, but don’t knock it just because it is MS. If I had share in Symantec or Nod32 I would be worried.
    I have always run XP with Windows firewall and Avast, but now with MSE on the scene I am all Microsoft. Incidentally I have never been infected.
    Use it and enjoy the freedom from subscriptions.

  • Wooty1234

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qD1WfImw97E
    this was a thorough test of MSE BY mrizos from Remove-malware.com whom had tested and showed great reviews of antivirus so far he said “This could change the anti-virus world as we know it. Microsoft’s Free Security Essentials Anti-Malware get’s a full review in this video.”

  • Pingback: Download FortiClient EndPoint Security - Free Antivirus

  • Pingback: Download Microsoft Security Essentials Final

Newer Comments →