Download Microsoft Windows Defender (formerly known as Microsoft AntiSpyware)
Microsoft Windows Defender (Beta 2) is the final name for Microsoft’s AntiSpyware solution (formerly known as Giant AntiSpyware)
While still in Beta 2 phase and not yet a complete product, Microsoft claims that 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.
Download Microsoft Defender Beta 2 (5.49mb for the x86 platform)
Download Microsoft Defender Beta 2 (7.54mb for the x64 platform)
Note: This download is available only to customers running genuine Microsoft Windows Operating System.
Note to P2P program users: Please read this warning from the Windows Defender (Beta 2) Release notes:
Windows Defender (Beta 2) may prompt you to remove some peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing programs. If you choose to remove such a program, Windows Defender (Beta 2) deletes the entire contents of the Program Files directory that relates to the P2P program. Because some P2P programs store downloaded files in a default directory under Program Files, this might remove all files downloaded through the file-sharing program. For example, KaZaA stores .exe and .dll files at C:Program FilesKazaa. Downloaded files are stored at C:Program FilesKazaaMy Shared Folder. If you use Windows Defender (Beta 2) to remove KaZaA, all files and folders under C:Program FilesKazaa are removed. If you have installed any P2P file-sharing programs, we recommend that you make a backup copy of your downloaded files before running Windows Defender (Beta 2).
Links
Download Microsoft Defender Beta 2
Windows Defender (Beta 2) Release notes