Windows® Defender (Beta 2) (Software Formally Known as Windows AntiSpyware)

Download details: Windows® Defender (Beta 2)

"Overview

This release includes enhanced features that reflect ongoing input from customers, as well as Microsoft’s growing understanding of the spyware landscape.

Specific features of Windows Defender Beta 2 include:

• A redesigned and simplified user interface – Incorporating feedback from our customers, the Windows Defender UI has been redesigned to make common tasks easier to accomplish with a warning system that adapts alert levels according to the severity of a threat so that it is less intrusive overall, but still ensures the user does not miss the most urgent alerts.
  
• Improved detection and removal – Based on a new engine, Windows Defender is able to detect and remove more threats posed by spyware and other potentially unwanted software. Real Time Protection has also been enhanced to better monitor key points in the operating system for changes.
  
• Protection for all users – Windows Defender can be run by all users on a computer with or without administrative privileges. This ensures that all users on a computer are protected by Windows Defender.
  
• Support for 64-bit platforms, accessibility and localization - Windows Defender Beta 2 also adds support for accessibility and 64-bit platforms. Microsoft also plans to release German and Japanese localized versions of Windows Defender Beta 2 soon after the availability of the English versions. Use WindowsDefenderX64.msi for 64-bit platforms.
  

Important Notes

• Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware (Beta):
  Windows Defender (Beta 2) is the final name for Microsoft’s antispyware solution. Current Windows AntiSpyware (Beta 1) customers will be notified automatically to upgrade.

…"

For what ever reason, when I kept seeing posts that Windows Defender Beta 2 was released, I kept thinking that Defender was the final name for Windows OneCare (cause OneCare has the Firewall, anti-virus, etc).

Well dugh… it’s not [ /e Greg smacks his forehead]. Windows Defender is the final name for MS’s Windows AntiSpyware.

The above not says that MS AntiSpyware beta 1 users will be notified, but I didn’t want to wait. So I downloaded Defender and installed it (without un-installing AntiSpyware B1, just to see if it would work… and it appears it did).

No reboot required and scanning for spyware now…

Update #1 2/14/2006 @ 8:50AM (PST):
When Defender first comes up, it will complain that it’s Def’s are old. There’s a check for updates button there, but it doesn’t seem to do anything.

To make Defender happy, go to Windows Update (or Microsoft Update) and do an Update. You’ll get the latest Def’s and Defender will be happy…