Beta for Next Version of Microsoft Security Essentials Now Available

JonM33 said:

Petey7 said:

Can't tell you if JonM is right or not (about MS always saying to do a clean install) because I honestly don't know for sure, but the analogy made perfect sense to me. I still haven't done a clean install myself because I have not seen any other problem yet. I'd like to see if another pops up, be aware this is only because I back up EVERYTHING, as do my parents.

I was a Beta tester for Windows 7. I think it was on one of Microsoft's Windows 7 blogs. They wanted people to do a clean install to get a fresh idea of any problems that would happen from scratch, such as driver issues, etc. If you upgraded you merely inherited previous problems (drivers, etc) from Windows Vista that might have been there.

Oh, I tested the RC and know they wanted a clean install. I should have emphasized the word "always." The only things I've tested are the 7 RC and MSE, so can't guarantee the word "always."

JonM33 said:

Win7User512 said:

Comparing an OS to an antivirus program?

Just pointing out that CLEAN INSTALLS are always a Microsoft recommendation for their Beta software.

It's the only way to ensure that problems do not carry over from previous installations.

Correct. OS's are easier since you reformat, but other programs can leave behind files/reg keys that can adversely effect the new install. Luckily, MS is pretty good about cleanup these days.

Petey7 said:

Can't tell you if JonM is right or not (about MS always saying to do a clean install) because I honestly don't know for sure, but the analogy made perfect sense to me. I still haven't done a clean install myself because I have not seen any other problem yet. I'd like to see if another pops up, be aware this is only because I back up EVERYTHING, as do my parents.

Yes, as I and Jon said, MS recommends fresh installs on most, if not all, their betas these days. That is not to say that you will have any probs, just that fresh installs greatly reduce the chance of probs.

For example, the beta developer tools are always recommended fresh installs on each release.

Let's be realistic here, this is a BETA build of the software, what Microsoft want is that you install it by whatever method you decide, and then report any problems back to them. Microsoft, like any other software company release public BETA software to check it's compatibility with a wide group of systems with all possible installation methods
What Microsoft have advised in the past is that when replacing the BETA code that a fresh install is desirable, and have actually made upgrades from BETA software extremely difficult, by excluding the BETA builds from the acceptable upgrade path

I used the upgrade option on four machines I'm testing the MSE Beta, one desktop and three virtual machines. Desktop (7 Ult) and one vm (Vista Ult) lost the context menu scan option which was restored using the fix Petey posted here earlier.

No problems with download and (upgrade) installation.

Kari

Just discovered the the new Microsoft Security Essentials beta will work on Windows Home Server and the new 'Vail' home server.
Just download the correct version, 32 bit for the older version or 64 bit for the new Vail beta. runs fine on my WHS v1.

Ken

ken9122 said:

Just discovered the the new Microsoft Security Essentials beta will work on Windows Home Server and the new 'Vail' home server.
Just download the correct version, 32 bit for the older version or 64 bit for the new Vail beta. runs fine on my WHS v1.

Ken

That's awesome. Now there is no need to have to find some weird program...

~Lordbob

hey well just downloaded yesterday and instaled on 7 ultimate x64. first of all the install went nice and smooth, second i like the way that the background image in MSE is gray, i like contemporary/modern.
other thoughts: they could have made the icon silvery/gray to represent the beta/ visual apeal.