New Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) 2.1 Antimalware Engine to Launch Next Week

 Microsoft will introduce a new version of the antimalware technology behind its free security solution for Windows in the week of August 15th.

In fact, as early as August 15th, customers running Microsoft Security Essentials 2.1, as well as other AV products from the Redmond company will receive an antimalware engine update.

MSE users might already be used to the monthly antimalware engine refreshes that the software giant has been supplying them. According to Microsoft, the updates are nothing more than a way to keep up with the evolution of malware.

“As part of regular update of our antimalware technology to address the latest in the threat landscape, MMPC is planning to release a new antimalware engine on 15 Aug 2011,” the company said.

Microsoft Security Essentials 2.1 received the last antimalware engine update almost a month ago, on July 20th.

As the last update, the upcoming antimalware engine release will be introduced not only to MSE 2.1, but also to security solutions such as Forefront Client Security and Forefront Endpoint Protection.

Since it employs the same antimalware technology, Microsoft’s Cloud-based PC security offering, Windows Intune Endpoint Protection will also be updated.

“Engine Version will be in the range of 1.1.760X.0. Note that there is jump in version number from 7104 to 760X. This is intentional,” the software giant added.

Microsoft Security Essentials 2.1 continues to be available as a free download for end users and small businesses, as long as they’re running genuine Windows operating systems.

Microsoft has yet to reveal what will happen to MSE once it launched the next iteration of Windows, labeled Windows 8 so far, and whether the two will play nice together.

Personally, I think that it would be a great move if Microsoft Security Essentials supported Windows 8 when the operating system is launched in 2012. What do you think?

Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) 2.1.1116.0 is available for download here.