Redmond is reportedly gearing up to launch its upcoming antivirus software, Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE). The company has emailed beta testers of the software to inform them that the finished product will be pushed out "in the coming weeks."

MSE will be free of charge and provide real-time protection against viruses, spyware, rootkit, and Trojans for Windows XP 32-bit, Windows Vista/7 32-bit, and Windows Vista/7 64-bit systems. If this seems unfamiliar, you may know MSE by its initial codename, "Morro." An early build (1.0.2140.0) leaked in June, which prompted Microsoft to place a beta (1.0.1407.00) in the hands of 75,000 testers.

Beta testing has continued since, with the most recent version (1.0.1500.00) being released in August. In the recent email, Microsoft encourages beta testers to install the newest build by clicking Upgrade Now in the Home tab, or Upgrade Microsoft Security Essentials in the Help menu.

You can read the full email after the jump.

Dear Beta User,

Thank you for participating in the Microsoft Security Essentials Beta. Your participation has been instrumental to ensuring the best possible product release quality.

The final version of Microsoft Security Essentials will be released to the public in the coming weeks. If you are running the older version of the beta (1.0.1407.0), we encourage you to upgrade to a newer version of the beta (1.0.1500.0). To ensure a smoothest possible experience, please follow one of these options:

  • Click on the 'Upgrade Now' button on the Microsoft Security Essentials Home tab.
    OR
  • Select 'Upgrade Microsoft Security Essentials' under the Help drop-down menu.

Thank you again for your participation in the Microsoft Security Essentials Beta!

Best regards,

Microsoft Security Essentials Team