14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft Security Essentials 2.1.1116.0 is now available through the Microsoft Download Center. According to information from the Redmond company, the latest update to MSE 2.0 went live on the Download Center on June 27th, 2011.
As was the case with previous MSE releases, the software giant is keeping mum on version 2.1.1116.0, providing only general detail on the security solutions.
“Microsoft Security Essentials is a free download from Microsoft that is simple to install, easy to use, and always kept up-to-date so you can be assured your PC is protected by the latest technology,” the company reveals.
“Microsoft Security Essentials runs quietly and efficiently in the background so you’re free to use your Windows-based PC the way you want—without interruptions or long computer wait times.”
Microsoft Security Essentials 2.1.1116.0 is designed to play nice with all supported versions of Windows, including Windows 7, Windows XP and Windows Vista.
There are only two downloads offered by Microsoft with version 2.1.1116.0, one for 32-bit (x86) and one for 64-bit (x64), with no differentiation between operating systems.
Approximately a week ago, MSE receive an AntiMalware engine update found in version 2.1.1116.0.
“Antimalware Engine 1.1.7000.0 is released to all Microsoft Security Essentials and Forefront Client Security, Forefront Endpoint Protection, Windows Intune Endpoint Protection customers on 20 June 2011. Signature package 1.107.49.0 is the first that contains this engine,” Microsoft said.
MSE 2.1 might be free, but there’s a small catch that users need to be aware of before actually deploying the security suite.
The software giant has designed Microsoft Security Essentials even from version 1.0 to only work on genuine Windows platforms.
This means that MSE will in fact make use of the Windows Genuine Advantage Validation process in order to check whether a copy of Windows is properly licensed.
“Before installing Microsoft Security Essentials, we recommend that you uninstall other antivirus software already running on your PC. Running more than one antivirus program at the same time can potentially cause conflicts that affect PC performance,” Microsoft added.
Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) 2.1.1116.0 is available for download here.