Download Free Microsoft Security Essentials 1.0, Now for Small Businesses and End Users

With version 2.0 of Microsoft Security Essentials still in development, Microsoft is cutting limitations associated with version 1.0 of its free security offering in order to open up the product to more and more customers.

As of today, October 7th, 2010, end users and home businesses are not the only ones that can take advantage of  Microsoft Security Essentials 1.0.

The Redmond company has announced a licensing change for MSE designed to permit customers running small businesses to also be able to download, install and leverage Microsoft Security Essentials in their organizations.

Ahead of the license modification operated today, this wasn’t possible, and small businesses needed to avoid MSE even though it was free, because of the licensing restrictions.

“We are happy to announce that beginning (…) October 7, the change will go into effect and small business owners will be able to download and install Microsoft Security Essentials,” revealed Microsoft’s Eric Foster.

“This new availability will allow small businesses that operate outside of the home to take advantage of Microsoft’s no-cost antimalware service that will help them save time, save money and remain productive while protecting them from viruses, spyware and other malicious threats.”

According to the software giant, the licensing tweak for Microsoft Security Essentials enables small businesses to deploy the free security offering on no less than 10 computers.

“If you operate a small business with more than 10 PCs, we recommend that you consider using the Forefront line products to address your security needs,” explained Eric Ligman, Global Partner Experience Lead Microsoft Worldwide Partner Group.

At the end of September 2010, Microsoft Security Essentials turned 1, and the company shared data illustrating the solution’s success since launch.

Version 1.0 of MSE was installed over 31 million times, with over 27 million machines phoning home to the Microsoft Malware Protection Center (MMPC) in order to report infections.

At this point in time, Microsoft Security Essentials 1.0 is available for free to customers in 74 markets worldwide in no less than 27 languages, with the software giant preparing the evolution to Microsoft Security Essentials 2.0.

Microsoft Security Essentials 1.0 is available for download here.