Half Informed

Microsoft Security Essentials has been released on their site. Get it here Microsoft.com. In a follow up to yesterdays article @bradgal @ZDNetBlogs | Microsoft blesses us with free AV 09/29/09 #MSE I removed F-Secure from my netbook and installed MSE. I will be trying this out over the next while to see how well it stacks up to F-Secure.

Microsoft Security Essentials 1.0 Installation

The install is pretty straight forward though all you cheap asses out there that do not have a Genuine Advantage legit copy won’t get very far on this installer. The installer also warns that it may conflict with current Anti-Virus solutions so you should remove any current AV/Firewall combo you may have.

After installation MSE goes through a update/ scan process making sure you machine is up to snuff. While this was going on I decided to look around the program and check out its features. To my surprise it has a very clean Windows 7′esque feeling with an easy to navigate user interface.

Microsoft Security Essentials 1.0 Scanning

In the Advanced Tab we see some much needed tools that I am happy to see came with MSE. Exclude rules mainly and also the fact that it didn’t beep at me telling me my copy of mIRC is a ‘potential risk’. The program also comes with shell integration so you can easily right click and scan files you may think are a threat.

Microsoft Security Essentials 1.0 Shell Integration

Microsoft Security Essentials comes with a rather robust set of features considering the price tag. Though it could have more, Microsoft is probably saving those features for its’ retail offering called Forefront.

Only time using this program will tell if it is any good. But at a total cost of zero dollars anyone breaking a sweat over reviewing this probably lives like Vork from The Guild.

Microsoft Security Essentials 1.0 Update Tab

Microsoft Security Essentials 1.0 History Tab

Microsoft Security Essentials 1.0 Settings Tab