Microsoft has revealed that their freeware security solution, Microsoft Security Essentials, will be no longer supported after January 14, 2020.
Security Essentials, also known as MSE, is a freeware antivirus app made by Microsoft. These days it is integrated to Windows 10 and its 'Windows Security' app. Earlier versions of Windows like Windows 7 and Windows Vista had Windows Defender, which can be considered as a stripped down version of MSE, less efficient as it only scans for spyware and adware. In Windows 8 and Windows 10, Windows Defender is based on the Microsoft Security Essentials app which offers better protection by adding full blown protection against all kinds of malware.
So, many Windows 7 users have Microsoft Security Essentials installed as it enhances the built-in protection mechanism of Windows Defender for free.
After January 14, 2020, Microsoft won't issue new definition updates for MSE. Microsoft says the app is now unique to Windows 7, which the company plans to leave out of support on the same day.
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Microsoft has updated the announcement. Now the page says:
Will Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) continue to protect my computer after the end of support?
Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) will continue to receive signature updates after January 14, 2020. However, the MSE platform will no longer be updated. Learn more about MSE.
So, according to the new information, the app won't receive updates any more, but Microsoft will continue to issue signature updates to the latest version available to date.
If you are a Windows 7 user who is going to use Windows 7 after January 14, and you have MSE installed, you should switch to another security software. Most of the popular anivirus apps still support Windows 7, some of them also have freeware versions for home users.
Source: Microsoft
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Its an alarming news to the users, whose PC still runs on windows 7, as the security essentials are ending along with windows 7 in this 14th January of 2020. It has extended its licence till 2023 for the office uses only.