Microsoft Security Essentials Beta

Microsoft have released a beta for the new version of its Security Essentials suite – and it works on Windows Home Server too.

Here is what is new with this beta:

New features in the beta of Microsoft Security Essentials include:

Windows Firewall integration – During setup, Microsoft Security Essentials will now ask if you would like to turn the Windows Firewall on or off.

Enhanced protection for web-based threats – Microsoft Security Essentials now integrates with Internet Explorer to provide protection against web-based threats.

New protection engine – The updated anti-malware engine offers enhanced detection and cleanup capabilities with better performance.

Network inspection system – Protection against network-based exploits is now built in to Microsoft Security Essentials.

To download the beta of Microsoft Security Essentials, click here to visit the Microsoft Connect page to register for the beta. Once completed – you will find the instructions for downloading and installing the beta. We value your feedback – beta participants are encouraged to provide feedback about their experiences with Microsoft Security Essentials through Microsoft Connect. Please note that this is a limited beta available in English (U.S.), Israel, and Brazilian Portuguese (the beta will also be available in China in Simplified Chinese later this year) and is available to genuine Windows users on a first come, first serve basis until the allotted spots for the beta have been reached.

There is both a 32 bit and a 64 bit version you can download.

I already had the current version of Security Essentials installed, so I was offered an upgrade when I ran the installation file.

It looks very similar to the current version and works just as well.

And that is it – if you had it before, you know how it works, and if you have never tried it before, now is  a really good time to give it a go.

Fellow Windows Home Server MVP Drashna also tweeted last night that it works perfectly well on both Windows Home Server and Windows Home Server Code Name Vail. Well done Drashna, you beat Diehard to the punch!