As promised, Microsoft today released its Security Essentials beta, the free product for fighting viruses, spyware, rootkits, and Trojans that is replacing Redmond’s paid Windows Live OneCare subscription service. The beta is available in 32 and 64-bit flavors for the first 75,000 users, although Microsoft says this is a target number, and it is willing to increase it if necessary – just like it did with Windows 7 Beta.

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Just installed it and so far so good. As the story says, your asked to fill out a short (no intrusion) survey and then your OS is validated. You then have to download a small (about 9.5 mb's) file. Save the file on your computer and then install it. After the software is installed it will automatically update. The update didn't work for me the first time around so I had to do it again. The reason for that could be the Vista updates decided to download at the same time.

It's your typical anti-virus software, straight forward and nothing fancy. Will see how well it stacks up to the well known anti-virus software that's already out there.

"Not available in your country or region"

I was going to try it out, but it seems that it is not available in Australia.

They must have a slight new revision going. The original beta of this capped out and they cut off new testers. I imagine with the general good response they are getting with it, they want to test with a wider market of people now. I got it up and running on my Windows 7 box. It runs in a small footprint and I haven't noticed it impacting anything. I am betting they will fill up again really quick with the interest in it.