Windows® Defender (Beta 2) x86

Brief Description

Windows Defender (Beta 2) is a free program that helps you stay productive by protecting your computer against pop-ups, slow performance and security threats caused by spyware and other potentially unwanted software.

This download is available to customers running genuine Microsoft Windows. Please click the Continue button to begin Windows validation. As described in our privacy statement, Microsoft will not use the information collected during validation to identify or contact you.

Windows Vista users must pass Microsoft Genuine validation requirements to enable certain product features and to obtain non-security updates and product support from Microsoft. For more information, go to the Windows Genuine Advantage FAQ.

Quick Details

File Name:	WindowsDefender.msi
Version:	1
Date Published:	4/12/2006
Language:	English
Download Size:	5.5 MB
Estimated Download Time:	14 min 56K	14 min

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Overview

Note to Windows Defender Beta 2 users:
This is an updated build of Windows Defender Beta 2, version 1.1.1347.0. If your copy of Windows Defender informed you that an update is available, you are running an older version. We encourage you to upgrade to this updated version. You can check your version of Windows Defender by clicking the down arrow next to the help icon and choosing ‘About Windows Defender’.

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

To download the x64 version of Windows Defender Beta 2, click here.

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.

Globalization:
The current beta is in the English language although we will deliver German and Japanese localized versions. All versions can be installed on any locale but the user interface will only be delivered in these three languages for testing purposes.

Beta Support Policy:
This is pre-release (beta) software distributed for feedback and testing purposes. Microsoft only provides best effort support through the newsgroups. If Windows Defender (Beta 2) is causing an issue with your system, we recommend removing it by using Add or Remove Programs and even using System Restore if the problem persists.

Access to Newsgroups:
Although formal support is not offered for this beta, we have provided newsgroups to help get your questions answered.

For Users of Giant AntiSpyware
Current Giant AntiSpyware users with active subscriptions are advised to continue to use their existing software. Click here for more information.

If your subscription has expired, and you choose to download and install Windows Defender (Beta 2), you must first uninstall any previous versions of Giant AntiSpyware.

To remove Giant AntiSpyware:

Click Start and then choose Control Panel.
Click Add or Remove Programs and then click Remove a Program. (If your control panel is set to Classic View, click the Add or Remove Programs icon.)
When the Add or Remove Programs window appears, select the Giant AntiSpyware program from the list.
Click Remove.

For Additional Information:
Please see the Release Notes to learn more about known issues with Windows Defender (Beta 2).

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System Requirements

Supported Operating Systems: Windows 2000 Service Pack 4; Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1; Windows XP Service Pack 2

For more details, see the System Requirements page.

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Instructions

This download is available to customers running genuine Microsoft Windows. Click the Continue button in the Validation Required section above to begin the short validation process. Once validated, you will be returned to this page with specific instructions for obtaining the download.

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