Windows Defender for Windows XP and Server 2003 Now Available!

From Microsoft Downloads

Quote:
"Windows Defender is a free program that helps protect your computer against pop-ups, slow performance, and security threats caused by spyware and other unwanted software. It features Real-Time Protection, a monitoring system that recommends actions against spyware when it’s detected and minimizes interruptions and helps you stay productive. Now with 2 free support incidents for Windows XP and Windows Server 2003."

Download HERE

Don’t forget to check out my Windows Defender Preview at ActiveWin.com which I will be updating soon to reflect the changes in the final release.

Windows Defender for Windows XP and Server 2003 is finally here, after a two year beta, it’s been a long time coming for sure. Featuring a major over haul to the UI, Windows Defender is a culmination of months of hard work from both the Anti-Malware team and feedback from the community. Since January 2004, Windows Defender, formally named Windows AntiSpyware has been downloaded over 25 million times.

Technorati tags: Windows Defender, AntiSpyware, Security, Microsoft

Windows Defender BETA 2 Release Notes Updated

"Thanks for testing Windows Defender Beta 2. We have updated the release notes at:

http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/about/releasenotes.mspx
Here we have links to KB’s and other FAQs of issues commonly reported in the newsgroups, and is a good place to start before posting issues with the beta. Once again thanks for running Windows Defender!

—
-steve

Steve Dodson [MSFT]
Windows Defender Beta Lead
MCSE, CISSP
http://blogs.technet.com/stevedod"

Windows Defender – Unable to Complete Update

If you are experiencing difficulty updating Windows Defender BETA 2, please try the following work around suggested by Steve Dodson:

 

Open the command prompt

Go to C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\ folder

Execute the following command: msiexec /x AS_Sigs.msi

Then Check for updates

Windows Defender – Installation Failure on Windows 2000

For users who are experiencing installation failure on Windows 2000, apply the following patch before installing Windows Defender BETA 2.

 

GDI+ package:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=6a63ab9c-df12-4d41-933c-be590feaa05a&displaylang=en

Windows Defender – Install Error 1609

If you encountering an error installing Windows Defender BETA 2, please try the following suggestion:

 

1. (Start -> Run…) net localgroup Users /add
2. Install WindowsDefender.msi.
3. (Start -> Run…) net localgroup Users /delete

Windows Defender BETA 2, now available!

From Microsoft Downloads

 

Qoute:

"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.

Overview

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 Windows Defender for Windows XP x86 (32-Bit) HERE
Download Windows Defender for Windows XP x64 (64-Bit) HERE

This one caught me off guard.

AntiSpyware Beta 1 – Definitions Update [5785]

There are new updates for Microsoft AntiSpyware beta 1 Refresh Update Build 615. To ensure you have the latest definitions, click Help > About Microsoft AntiSpyware > under "Microsoft AntiSpyware system information:

Spyware Definition Version: 5785 (12/16/2005)

You can acquire the updates by ensuring you have AutoUpdater turned on (Options > Settings) or File > Check for Updates (Manual)

Related news:

Microsoft AntiSpyware is now Microsoft Windows Defender
Windows Defender will be a part of Vista

Screenshots of Windows Defender BETA

From NeoWin Forums

 

Its not clear if this is the much anticipated BETA 2 release of Windows Defender, formerly named Windows AntiSpyware or just an interim release. The screenshots show the new interface that utilizes Windows Explorer navigation buttons. The interface is clean and easy to understand. The UI based upon Microsofts forth coming Integrated Security Suite, Windows OnceCare, which includes solutions for AntiVirus, Backup, AntiSpyware and PC TuneUp.

 

Check out the screenshots here

Check out the Microsoft Anti-Malware Team Blog here

Microsoft AntiSpyware New Build (build 1.0.701)!

We have just released a beta refresh for Windows AntiSpyware (build 1.0.701) onto the download center. This build extends the Windows AntiSpyware (Beta) expiration date to July 31, 2006.

We will be turning on the software update notification early next week, but you can download the latest beta refresh manually at : http://www.microsoft.com/antispyware

For more information, please monitor the Microsoft anti-malware blog at
http://blogs.technet.com/antimalware

Thanks.

—
Mike Chan [MSFT]
Technical Product Manager (Windows Defender)
Microsoft Corporation

AntiSpyware Beta 1 – Definitions Update [5779]

There are new updates for Microsoft AntiSpyware beta 1 Refresh Update Build 615. To ensure you have the latest definitions, click Help > About Microsoft AntiSpyware > under "Microsoft AntiSpyware system information:

Spyware Definition Version: 5779 (11/20/2005)

You can acquire the updates by ensuring you have AutoUpdater turned on (Options > Settings) or File > Check for Updates (Manual)

Related news:

Microsoft AntiSpyware is now Microsoft Windows Defender
Windows Defender will be a part of Vista