Microsoft has released the new Microsoft Security Essentials software for download and install on Windows PC’s everywhere! The new Microsoft Security Essentials software is a replacement for what was known as Windows Live OneCare.
The installation file for the new software was pretty light. Total download size was only 8.61MB. Sitting less than 9MB, it places it less than a third of my least favorite application, Adobe Reader. Oh, and this is a full-blown security application, not just a PDF reader.
Once downloaded the installation process couldn’t have been much easier as well. The general installation steps were expected, there was a Microsoft Genuine Advantage software check in there. After that, a system update for definition refresh and we’re rolling.
As part of the install an initial system scan is included which also went quickly. I expected the first scan to take a bit longer. If the weekly scans go that quick, I’ll be happy. If they’re even quicker I’ll be more than pleased again with my experience.
Compared to Windows Live OneCare, there’s less settings and adjustments to be made. The basics still remain though: exclusion of files, exclusion of directories, default actions to take, etc.
The one thing I wish they’d work on fixing immediately is the icon that’s used to identify the tool. Sitting down there in the system try it looks like a circus big top tent. Microsoft, you can come up with a better icon than that, please do, QUICKLY!