14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft was initially planning to release an update to the Microsoft Security Essentials AntiMalware engine the start of this week.
However, on Monday, the Redmond company announced that the refresh had been postponed. Still, users did not get to wait all that long for the update, as the delay was only a single day.
On November 16h, the software giant started pushing the new antimalware engine for Microsoft Security Essentials 1.0, namely version 1.1.6402.0. Of course, this technology is shared with Forefront Client Security (FCS).
“Antimalware Engine 1.1.6402.0 is released to all MSE and FCS customers on 16 November 2010. Signature package 1.95.30.0 is the first that contains this engine,” a member of the Microsoft Antimalware Engine team stated.
As it was the case with previous antimalware engine updates for MSE 1.0, the latest refresh is also focused on making sure that the free security solution for Windows keep up the pace with the evolution of the threat landscape.
Microsoft has made a habit out of providing MSE users with antimalware engine refreshes every month, and in this regard, customers can expect a new update to drop in December 2010.
At the same time, the Redmond company is offering early adopters the option to go beyond MSE 1.0.
Microsoft Security Essentials 2.0 is currently in Beta development stage and the software giant just offered a new release for testing.
Delivered as a Beta Refresh, Build 2.0.522.0 can be downloaded through Microsoft Connect, and will also be pushed through Windows Update to the testers already involved in the program.
Some sources speculated that Build 2.0.522.0 is not a Beta at all, but that instead Microsoft offered the Release Candidate (RC) for MSE 2.0, but the company did not confirm this.
Also unconfirmed is the release deadline for Microsoft Security Essentials 2.0 which is reported to be by the end of 2010.