Microsoft Clarifies Windows Home Server Support for Security Essentials

By on July 28, 2010 in News, Windows Home Server

Following the news last week regarding a beta version of Microsoft Security Essentials which appears to install and work on both Windows Home Server v1 and Vail, there has been debate here on WGS as well as on other sites whether Windows Home Server now “supports” the free anti-virus application. Microsoft Security Essentials provides real-time protection for your home PC that guards against viruses, spyware, and other malicious software.

Microsoft’s Björn Levidow, a Group Program Manager in the Windows Home and Small Business Team, clarified the current position in a comment on WGS yesterday:

Installing Windows Security Essentials (WSE) Beta on Windows Home Server is not supported at this time. As WSE is in Beta, the Windows Home Server team is in the process of ensuring the use of  WSE with Windows Home Server will meet customer expectations. We will release a statement of support once the validation is complete, when we are confident that this combination will meet customer expectations.

For what it’s worth, I have not installed the beta on WHS v1 or Vail, although others have with no reported issues. So for now, whilst we wait for validation from Microsoft, proceed at your own risk. You can pick up the Microsoft Security Essentials beta over at Microsoft Connect.

Download: Microsoft Security Essentials


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About Terry Walsh

Terry Walsh is the founding editor and owner of We Got Served. Since February 2007, the site has provided detailed coverage and analysis of the emerging home server category, and has subsequently grown into a trusted outlet for digital home news and reviews.
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  • http://intensedebate.com/people/Jim_Clark Jim_Clark

    It is interesting to note the name change name in Björn's comment. Also, it appears that support is being considered/investigated.

  • Tony

    I installed and had an issue with network connectivity. I run it on a gigabit network and noticed my network speeds went from 80Mbps to about 12Mbps. So I uninstalled and i got my speed back…

  • R@N

    I installed WSE on my WHS 1 box (self build system). In the options you can tell the scanner, which files it should scan. I told mine to scan only incoming data.

  • http://intensedebate.com/people/Drashna Drashna

    FYI, I posted a bug on the MSE part of Connect, to "leave support for WHS in". It got closed today, as "by design". So I'm "going on a limb" here and saying that support for both versions of WHS may actually happen. :)

  • Dave_Marchant

    Further statement from Microsoft overnight regarding Microsoft Security Essentials Beta:-
    "Notice to Windows® Home Server customers: Microsoft Security Essentials Beta is not supported on Windows Home Server (WHS). Beta testers who have installed Microsoft Security Essentials Beta on WHS should consider uninstalling Microsoft Security Essentials Beta to avoid potential incompatibility problems. Those who plan to beta test Microsoft Security Essentials Beta unsupported on WHS should wait until the next Windows Home Server update rollup currently scheduled to occur on or about September 1, 2010"

    • Jump

      September 1, 2010" Opps. Missed it. No support other than the .0375 build beta version. No other bersions will install.

  • meee

    Any news on this? Sept.1st is passed and I just set up my WHS new, so I wonder if the MSE is officially available or will be soon…