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Microsoft has rolled out a new version of the company’s free Security Essentials security tool. For those of you on Windows 8 or Windows 8.1, you are going to have to sit this one out as this updated build applies to Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP only.
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“Microsoft Security Essentials is a free download from Microsoft that is simple to install, easy to use, and always kept up-to-date so you can be assured your PC is protected by the latest technology. Microsoft Security Essentials runs quietly and efficiently in the background so you’re free to use your Windows-based PC the way you want – without interruptions or long computer wait times,” the software description states.
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While no details about this updated built were provided by Microsoft, we do know that this build is 4.4.0304.0. The 32bit installer weighs in at 10.6MB, while the 64bit installer weights in at 13MB. You can grab your download from the VIA link below.
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As deepen03 states in the comment section below, Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 both come with Windows Defender pre-installed. So if you are itching to have Security Essentials on your 8 or 8.1 machine, don’t worry, you already have Windows Defender that does the same job. Thanks deepen03 for mentioning this!
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Microsoft recently come out and admitted that this security software is intended to be a baseline first-layer of security for Windows. Microsoft is simply focusing on tracking emerging threats and sharing that data within the security industry. As a result, Microsoft realizes that Security Essentials will likely continue being ranked poorly in tests. But in essence, thanks to Security Essentials, users can be protected from emergent threats and that data will help improve third party antivirus solutions.
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