The first public Beta of Microsoft Security Essentials 1.0, formerly codenamed Morro, is now available for download from Microsoft. Via the official webpage, users will need to follow a link to Microsoft Connect. On Connect, the Redmond-based company has published a survey with a few security-related questions that wannabe testers can fill in no time at all. After the survey is complete, the software giant will allow access to the Beta of Microsoft Security Essentials 1.0. The security solution is tailored to the 32-bit and 64-bit flavors of Windows 7 Beta and Release Candidate and to Windows Vista RTM, SP1 and SP2, but also to 32-bit Windows XP SP3.

“You're too busy to spend a lot of time worrying about protecting your PC. With Microsoft Security Essentials Beta, you get high-quality protection against viruses and spyware, including Trojans, worms and other malicious software. And best of all, there are no costs or annoying subscriptions to keep track of,” Microsoft reveals. “Security Essentials is easy to install and easy to use. Updates and upgrades are automatic, so there's no need to worry about having the latest protection. It's easy to tell if you're protected – when the Security Essentials icon is green, your status is good. It's as simple as that.”

Microsoft Security Essentials 1.0 Beta is the successor of Windows Live OneCare. When it announced Morro in 2008, the software giant emphasized that it was building a basic security solution aimed for Windows users in developing markets that could not afford protection because the prohibitive prices of full security suites.

“When you're busy using your PC, you don't want to be bothered by needless alerts. Security Essentials runs quietly in the background, only alerting you if there's something you need to do. And it doesn't use a lot of system resources, so it won't get in the way of your work or fun,” Microsoft added. “This beta is available only to customers in the United States, United Kingdom, Israel (English only), People’s Republic of China (Simplified Chinese only) and Brazil (Brazilian Portuguese only).”

Microsoft Security Essentials 1.0 Beta is available for download here.