Just a few minutes ago, we released the latest build of Windows Antispyware to the public. This build will resolve issues which will make using this product better for users. Starting today, users will start to see the automatic update mechanism fire off and advise users know they have a new update available. Some of the big improvements are:

1)      Software expiration will be extended to December 31, 2005.

2)      Alerts Moving Quickly Across the Screen : Messages which move quickly off the screen when the start bar is not docked horizontally are also fixed. Users who dock their start bar on the sides of their screen will now be able to read messages generated from Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware (beta).

This issue is what we dubbed the “Flying Toast Issue” and one which I was passionate about getting fixed in this refresh build.

3)      Support for Long Descriptions:  Users of older builds only have access to the short descriptions which ship as part of the signatures. These short descriptions only provide limited information about potentially unwanted software. Long descriptions in build 613 will help users by giving them more information about the potentially unwanted software detected on their PCs.

4)      Improved Winsock LSP removal mechanism:  In some cases, removing spyware LSPs, or can disrupt network functionality. Through enhancements made in this beta refresh, we’ve lessened the chance that this problem will occur.

This is a very exciting release, and one which will greatly improve the user experience on this excellent product.

-steve