Microsoft releases new Security Essentials beta

Microsoft has released a new public beta of its free Security Essentials anti-malware and anti-virus software for Windows. According to the company, the Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) beta, labelled 4.0.1111.0, brings performance improvements and includes several new features over the current stable release. The beta is only, currently, being offered in English.

The beta of the next major release of MSE features a simplified user interface designed to make it easier to use. It includes a "new and improved protection engine" that Microsoft says provides better detection and cleanup capabilities for finding and removing security threats. Additionally, malware infections that Microsoft considers to be high impact are now automatically removed without requiring any interaction from users.

Microsoft Security Essentials 4.0.1111.0 on Windows XP

As with all development releases, use in production environments and on mission critical systems is not advised. Microsoft asks users testing the release to provide feedback and report any bugs they find on the Microsoft Security Essentials Answers forum.

Microsoft Security Essentials 4.0.1111.0 is compatible with Windows XP SP3, Vista SP1 or later, Windows 7 SP1, and is available to download (Windows Live or Microsoft Connect ID required) from the company's web site. A final release date for MSE 4 has yet to be announced.

See also:

• Microsoft releases Security Essentials 2.1, a report from The H.
• Microsoft releases free AV software that boots from CD or USB, a report from The H.

(crve)