Solo Technology

Got the new beta 2 of Windows Defender installed tonight, and can confirm that it will cheerfully (and very silently) uninstall the previous beta (windows antispyware) should that currently be installed. Installation is painless, only snag was the usual pain in the butt related to doing the “prove you’re legal” thing with Microsoft whilst using Firefox. Not a huge deal, personally, as I’m pondering spending more time with IE7 beta. Hah, that’ll show ‘em. (besides, much hullaballoo recently about to FF’s memory management).

Boy, how was that for a lead-in paragraph with minimal focus?

First thing I noticed: no tray icon. Had to pop over to the Services control-panel to prove to myself that something was happening. Peeked under Start -> Programs and found the user interface portion. As an aside, the little castle icon for this is just so darned retro… tell me you don’t look at that icon and think Atari 2600 Castle Wars. I dare ya.

I’m very disappointed that it isn’t integrated with OneCare. I truly hope that at some point that will happen — it just seems to make all sorts of sense and (imho) is silly not to integrate these two.

How’s it work? Well, so far I don’t really know. I did some scans and it seems fast enough, but I’m not quite ready to go surf sites that want to pollute my machine. Testing this stuff is awkward sometimes. I suppose I’ll dump it in a virtual machine some weekend afternoon and try to pollute it. The previous beta handled that very well.

Oh, let me warn you to pay attention to scroll bars. I was in the “General Settings” section and initially very disappointed in the limited amount of configurable options. However, second time there I noticed the scroll bar. Turns out there’s more that can be configured. But all in all, this is definitely a simpler version than the previous and “feels” like a whole new app. Not sure if that’s for better or worse yet, but I suppose the non-geeks will be very comfortable with the whole thing.

Here’s what Microsoft says was improved for this release:

• Enhanced performance through a new scanning engine.
• Streamlined, simplified user interface and alerts.
• Improved control over programs on your computer using enhanced Software Explorer.
• Multiple language support with globalization and localization features.
• Protection technologies for all users, whether or not they have administrator rights on the computer.
• Support for assistive technology for individuals who have physical or cognitive difficulties, impairments, and disabilities.
• Support for Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition.
• Automatic cleaning according to your settings during regularly scheduled scans.

I’ll leave it run for a few weeks and see how it goes.

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