14 DAY TRIAL // Although almost six months have passed since the first version of Microsoft AntiSpyware Beta was launched, instead of releasing a Beta or a RC1 as we have expected, the company preferred an update: Microsoft AntiSpyware 1.0.613.
The most important novelty is that the program extends the trail period from July 31 2005 to December 31 2005. Since the initial release, Microsoft has only published signature updates for spywares and adwares.
According to Microsoft's statements, the new version of Microsoft AntiSpyware is more stable and advanced than the previous one. In the same time, the company has also announced a Beta 2 version which will appear later this year.
You might ask yourself what are the differences between 1.0.613 and 1.0.509. To find the answer to that question, we did a little test. Installing the 1.0.613 version took place without problems and although we were warned the program might interfere with some P2P sharing applications, this thing didn't happen.
There are no significant changes related to the interface, but Microsoft AntiSpyware 1.0.613 seems to have more detailed information about the spyware/adware and malware.
The first significant difference showed up when we ran the two versions. Microsoft AntiSpyware 1.0.613 took 10 minutes less than 1.0.509 to fully scan the PC.
Another thing we have noticed is that the 1.0.509 version with all the updates only identified 45 spywares and adwares, while Microsoft AntiSpyware 1.0.613 identified all 49 which have been also reported by Ad-Aware.
AntiSpyware 1.0.613 also needed 10% less CPU resources than the previous version.
In conclusion, Microsoft AntiSpyware is going in the right direction and we are anxiously waiting for Beta 2.
