Windows Defender (Beta 2): Release notes

New option to display Windows Defender (Beta 2) system tray icon even when there are no pending actions needed.

Enhanced performance through a new scanning engine.

Streamlined, simplified user interface and alerts.

Improved control over programs on your computer with enhanced Software Explorer.

Multiple language support with globalization and localization features.

Protection features for all users, whether or not they have administrator rights on the computer.

Support for assistive technology for individuals who have physical or cognitive difficulties, impairments, and disabilities.

Support for Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition.

Automatic cleaning according to your settings during regularly scheduled scans.

If you attempt to install Windows Defender (Beta 2) on a computer that uses Windows 2000, you might see the following message: "This software requires GDI+. Please load the Windows 2000 Security Software Prerequisite Pack." See this Microsoft Help and Support page for steps to resolve this issue.

By design, the system tray icon for Windows Defender (Beta 2) does not appear if you do not need to take action.

If you uninstall and then re-install Windows Defender (Beta 2) it will not receive new definitions until the next definition update is published on Windows Update. See this Microsoft Help and Support page for more information.

Windows Defender (Beta 2) might 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 all the contents of the Program Files folder associated with the P2P program. Because some P2P programs store downloaded files in a default folder under Program Files, this might remove all files you have downloaded through the file-sharing program. For example, KaZaA stores .exe and .dll files at C:\Program Files\Kazaa. Downloaded files are stored at C:\Program Files\Kazaa\My Shared Folder. If you use Windows Defender (Beta 2) to remove KaZaA, all files and folders under C:\Program Files\Kazaa are removed. If you have installed any P2P file-sharing programs, it is a good idea to back up your downloaded files before you run Windows Defender (Beta 2).

You do not need to remove other antispyware or antivirus programs to run Windows Defender (Beta 2). Other programs or Windows Defender (Beta 2) might prompt you to allow or block an action, but there are no other known incompatibilities between Windows Defender (Beta 2) and other antispyware or antivirus programs.

By design, Windows Defender (Beta 2) Refresh removes Windows AntiSpyware (Beta) and previous Windows Defender (Beta 2) releases.

Windows Defender (Beta 2) offers only limited Group Policy settings. The final version of Windows Defender will include administrator (.adm) files so that you can configure those limited settings in Windows Defender through Group Policy.