14 DAY TRIAL // The final version of Microsoft's Security Essentials (codename Morro), the basic security solution the Redmond company is working on delivering for Windows, is expected to become available in a matter of weeks, at least this is what the software giant announced on Sunday in a note sent to beta testers. The MSE solution should come to the company's client as the replacement for Windows Live OneCare, which will end its life cycle as soon as the new security software arrives.
“The final version of Microsoft Security Essentials will be released to the public in the coming weeks. If you are running the older version of the beta (1.0.1407.0), we encourage you to upgrade to a newer version of the beta (1.0.1500.0),” is what Microsoft reportedly said to the participants to its beta testing program. Microsoft Security Essentials 1.0 beta went live officially on June 23 this year, and we've already seen a series of updates leaked on the web and made available for download.
According to some estimations there are more than 400,000 beta testers for Morro out there, with 75,000 people downloading the Security Essentials during the first day of public availability, thus allowing Microsoft to reach its aimed number of testers in only a day. The final version of Microsoft's new security solutions is expected to come to Windows users for free, offering them an alternative to paid antivirus software in case they are unable to purchase such a solution.
Except for the announcement regarding the upcoming availability of the final flavor of Microsoft Security Essentials, the Redmond-based company hasn't detailed anything on the progress it is making with the beta version. Build 1.0.1500.0, which beta testers are now encouraged to download, has been wandering on various illegal download sites since about a month ago. Intended only for individual use, MSE does not come as an alternative to Microsoft's solutions aimed at businesses.
A recent article on ZDNet is meant to show exactly this state of facts. Here is how the Redmond software company explains what MSE is aimed at: “Microsoft Security Essentials is designed for home use. It requires no registration, trials or renewals and will be available for download directly from Microsoft. Microsoft continues to offer security solutions for businesses with the Forefront line of products as part of its Business Ready Security strategy. However Microsoft Security Essentials may be a good solution for small home offices with only a few individually managed PCs.”