On Tuesday, Microsoft launched the beta version of its free anti-malware - Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE), which, according to the company claims will provide the necessary protection against viruses, trojans, botnets, spyware, and rootkits. The new MSE replaces the company's consumer subscription antivirus product, Windows Live OneCare, which will formally be discontinued from June 30.

Microsoft said for the free anti-virus software - that was code-named Morro, and has been launched in the US, Brazil, China, and Israel -, downloads from the Microsoft site will initially be limited to the first 75,000 users, with a subsequent increase depending upon the demand.

Saying that it will automatically update MSE for users, Microsoft is pinning its hope on the new anti-virus product, even though rival security vendors have raised doubts about Microsoft's inability to compete with more established antivirus players - more so after its not-so-popular Windows Live OneCare, which was a commercial flop.

In fact, security vendors with more aggressive free antivirus products opine that MSE would neither affect their business nor take a considerable market share. Security firm Symantec said: "Early reviews of the beta are showing that it under-performs when compared to existing freeware products, and well below paid solutions. Referring to MSE as an essential security solution is misleading - consumers need firewall protection, web protection, anti-spam and identity safeguards."