Keeping an eye on Windows and other things tech!

Introducing Microsoft Security Essentials

Microsoft recently released a beta version of their entry into the Anti-Virus/Spyware arena – it is called Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE).  The initial release of the software was limited to just a few countries and 75,000 downloads total, which have now been surpassed so the downloads are closed now. Even those of us who got in on the initial download are unable to re-download the software so hopefully you saved a copy on your hard drive just in case.

Before I show you the installation screens here is the minimum system requirements for MSE Beta. Of course these may not be the final versions specs so buyer beware:

Minimum system requirements for Microsoft Security Essentials Beta

• Operating System: Windows XP (Service Pack 2 or Service Pack 3); Windows Vista; Windows 7 (Beta or Release Candidate)
• For Windows XP, a Personal Computer with a:
  • CPU with clock speed of 500 MHz or higher
  • Memory: 256 MB RAM or higher
• For Windows Vista and Windows 7, a Personal Computer with a:
  • CPU with clock speed of 1.0 GHz or higher
  • Memory: 1 GB RAM or higher
• VGA (Display): 800 x 600 or higher
• Storage: 140 MB of available hard-disk space
• An Internet connection is required for installation and to download the latest virus and spyware definitions for Microsoft Security Essentials.
• Internet Browser:
  • Windows Internet Explorer 6.0 or later
  • Mozilla Firefox 2.0 or later

It is a very small download – for the 32 bit version which I grabbed it was only 4.7MB.  Right now MSE is only consuming 850KB of my RAM as well – quite a small footprint compared to other options in this area.

The installation screens are listed below in order of appearance:

The one area that will frustrate people and fault will be found with is the requirement to be running genuine Windows software.  If your OS will not validate because of an issue and your genuine then contact Microsoft – they will help out.  If you will not validate because your not using genuine Windows then I recommend you get genuine.

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Windows Live Mesh Updated

The folks over at the Live Mesh blog posted this week about an update to Windows Live Mesh:

Live Mesh for Windows 9.4014.7 has been released. It will automatically update. No action is required on your part. See the following sections for details, and thanks for using Live Mesh.

Version number

· Live Mesh Desktop: 0.9.4014.7

· Live Mesh PC (x86 and AMD64): 0.9.4014.7

Included in this update

· PC – Fixes for display problems in the Resolve Conflicts dialog box on computers running Windows 7

· PC – Improved performance in memory handling

· Layout and link changes on www.mesh.com

· Server-side fixes for improved performance and stability

All of my computers have updated and it does seem to be a little snappier than before.  Keep up the great work over there at the Live Mesh team!

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• Windows Live Mesh for Mobile Released to Public
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