14 DAY TRIAL // The new Windows 8 Consumer Preview comes with a new version of the Windows Defender, which is, in fact, the re-branded Microsoft Security Essentials.
The new platform release came along with a wide range of enhancements, ranging from graphical changes to new applications and access to new services.
Apparently, it also comes with a new version of Microsoft Security Essentials, which has been enhanced with anti-spyware capabilities and which now sports the name of Windows Defender. It does not show in the notification area, but it is there, and it is working.
Clearly, this is a step forward for Microsoft, since it has packed features previously available in two products onto a single program, which comes free with the upcoming OS flavor.
MSE was designed to offer anti-virus protection, while the Windows Defender was previously meant to provide users with anti-spyware protection.
The Windows Defender in Windows 8 Consumer Preview includes all of these features, and also packs the same UI as the current Microsoft Security Essentials beta.
Since I have the beta of the latest MSE installed on my Windows 7 PC, the Windows 8 Consumer Preview setup process prompted me to remove it before continuing with the installation (as you can see in the last screenshot below).
Apparently, there was no need for Microsoft Security Essentials in the new platform release. In fact, it appears that the Consumer Preview won’t leave another anti-virus program installed on the computer when trying to upgrade to it.
Since Windows 8 is still development in progress, it does not come as a surprise that it does not offer support for security applications at the moment, other than those offered by Microsoft by default. Most probably, things will change when the final release arrives.
If you haven’t got the chance to have a look at the latest beta release of Microsoft Security Essentials or at the Windows Defender in Windows 8, have a look at the screenshots below to make an idea of what it looks like.
You can download Windows 8 Consumer Preview Build 8250 from Softpedia via this link.
The latest Microsoft Security Essentials version is available on this page.
