Microsoft Security Essentials (Anti-Virus) - Free Download

When it goes live the site will probably get hammered, so look for mirror's here:

Softpedia
File Hippo
TuCows
CNET Downloads

The downloads are available from 5.00pm BST

I use AVG Free at the moment & never had any problems.
If I were to download & install this should I Un-install AVG ?

Definitely - you don't want multiple antivirus programs running. I wouldn't bother if you already have AVG - it's a very capable program.

I hope its as good as Kaspersky which in my opinion is by far the best Anti virus ever made to date!
My licence is running out soon so will give this a try so fingers crossed!

i would say aswell kaspersky is one of the best

May ditch Avira for this, it keeps popping up its a free version and bugging me, although it is good at detecting viri

Microsoft dont have a great reputation for providing security software.

Their One Care product was quietly dropped when it fared so badly in product tests.

I would not rush to drop any other product for this Microsoft offering until you have read some reviews.

Why is it bad to have more than one antivirus program running?

Because they will conflict with each other and slow down your pc.

Yeah conflicts, also sometimes I think anti-virus programs think each other are viruses. Well that was what happened with my Symantec and the standalone Nod32 I had on my HDD.

no info at all on there site

Its up. Linky --- Mirror ----

Being cynical I'd ask why if Microsoft produce an OS that is riddled with bugs and vulnerabilities would people jump to use thier anti virus software?

Although MS have improved greatly the title is enough to put me off; "Microsoft" and "security" not being words I associate in a positive light - and "essentials" leads you to think it's a delibrately crippled version tempting you toward the full paid for product.

That said this may be very good - I've not seen any reviews; but I'll stick with my current AV since it works perfectly well.

Edit: Checked out a couple of reviews and it's seemingly not bad. So if you don't currently have an AV or a paid for subscription is ending it's looks worth considering beside other frebies like AVG, Avast and Avira.