February 14, 2006 Microsoft Releases Public Beta of Windows Defender Anti-Spyware Utility The new release is a significant upgrade that includes improved detection and removal and a simpler interface. By Scot Finnie Courtesy of Microsoft announced today a public Beta 2 release of a significant upgrade to its free anti-spyware utility. Renamed Windows Defender, the anti-spyware software has an updated spyware-detection engine and a heavily revised interface. Defender is a significant upgrade to Microsoft's anti-spyware. (Click on image to expand.) Windows Defender supports Windows XP, Windows 2000, and Windows Server 2003. Microsoft's Windows Defender product manager Mike Chan says the anti-spyware utility, which was originally acquired when Microsoft bought Giant Software, will continue to be offered freely for download to all users whose computers are running authorized (non-pirated) versions of the supported Windows versions. Notable new features and functionalities of Windows Defender Beta 2 include, according to Microsoft, an improved detection and removal anti-spyware engine, deeper monitoring points for the real-time malware protection functionality, fewer pop-ups from the real-time protection, a much simpler interface, protection for all Windows user accounts with or without Administrator privileges, signature updates delivered by Microsoft's Automatic Updates, integration with IE6 or IE7 that lets it scan downloads, and the ability to scan Outlook Express attachments. Defender offers new features and functionalities. (Click on image to expand.) The new anti-spyware utility also uses the Windows system tray notification area more efficiently. The Windows Defender icon only appears when spyware is detected or when a scan or update is in progress. The default settings for Windows Defender take an automatic approach. The utility will automatically clean up any spyware or malware that's a known part of its signature files. Chan stresses that the strategy behind Windows Defender is to protect PCs with a minimal amount of interruption for the user. is available for free download. The English version is available today for 32-bit and 64-bit Windows. Globalized and language versions will be available in the weeks to come. The download size of the English version ranges between 6.4MB (7.9MB for 64-bit) and 14.3MB, depending upon the options selected during installation. All previous versions of Giant AntiSpyware, Microsoft AntiSpyware, Windows AntiSpyware, and Windows Defenders must be uninstalled prior to running the online installation. Microsoft offers these additional resources for Windows Defender Beta 2: E-mail This Story Print This Story Get the latest Messaging news, product info, and trends every week.			Spyware And Adware Continue To Plague PCs The High Cost Of Data Loss McAfee Update Wrecks Havoc Free CipherTrust Toolbar Pegs Phishing, Spots Spam Cloudmark Upgrades Messaging Security For Exchange Analysis: A Buttoned-Down AOL IM? Consumer Version Suits Most     Messaging Pipeline's Main RSS Feed     Messaging Pipeline's Blog RSS Feed Editorial and vendor perspectives The Six Flavors Of Windows Vista Microsoft plans to release a full six-pack of Vista versions, one for every taste. Which Vista will be right for you? Hope is Not Enough When It Comes To Compliance Three Ways To Authenticate E-Mail And Stop Spam Wikis In The Workplace Review: Google Desktop 3 Vendors are now talking about how collaboration can be improved by integrating video with messaging applications. They're even talking about adding live TV to mobile phones. How far do you go before it becomes a bandwidth and business productivity drain? Video is a great idea     13% Video is fine but there needs to be size limits     25% It's never used for anything really productive     38% I draw the line at live TV     25% In search of messaging products? Check out our brand new Product Finder for a directory of groupware and collaboration tools, security products, archiving solutions, and more.