Microsoft Security Essentials 1.0 and It's Problems

Microsoft has created another product that is not ready for general release. Not only will this product not find all viruses and spyware/malware and it will change PC settings that will reek havoc for many users. Wait until version 2.0 if you want this product. In the mean time, keep what you have.

I really wanted to like this product, but a darn thing called "practicality" got in the way.

Microsoft released Security Essentials 1.0 on September 29, 2009 after more than 4 months of beta testing. The goal of this product is to provide anti-virus and spyware/malware protection for Windows PCs that use Windows XP, Service Pack 2 and higher, Windows Vista and Windows 7.

The protection part of the equation is good - about the same as other free anti-virus software out there (according to PC World, that does more rigorous testing than I do).

My issues with Security Essentials 1.0 have to do with all the other problems it causes. After testing this product for a day with Windows Vista, I realized there are definite disadvantages to it in its current form.

Here's how I break down the good and the bad:

• It's free, installs easily and it's pretty - You get what you pay for, overall it's not easier and some weeds are pretty too.
  
  
• It does not catch all viruses and spyware/malware - It does catch 97.8% of them, according to PC World.
  
  
• It changes existing PC settings that will annoy users. Example: It changes updates to "Install Updates Automatically." It also changes file and folder permissions.
  
  
• It's difficult to fix Windows problems after it's installed - If you think about how long it took to get your computer to function the way you wanted it to, this should give you an idea of what's in store for you after Security Essentials has finished its installation.