After a long period of continous developing and beta testing, the final and complete version of Microsoft’s free anti-spyware solution for the Windows enviroment is ready.

The history of the project goes all the way back in 2004, when Microsoft acquired New York-based GIANT Company Software and launched Windows AntiSypaware which later became Windows Defender.

Microsoft announced on Monday that Windows Defender shifted from beta to final and now features additional scanning performance improvements, support for the 64-bit edition of Windows XP and automated spyware cleaning during scheduled scans.

The software comes free for all Windows XP and Windows 2003 server. As Microsoft no longer provides support for Windows 2000, this operating system was not included among the ones that Windows Defender is targeted at.

“We decided to focus more on Windows XP and Windows Server 2003. Both of these operating systems with the latest service packs have significantly better security protection overall, which will also help to prevent spyware on those computers that run those operating systems,” Microsoft said in an online FAQ.

The final version of Windows Defender can be downloaded for Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 from the Microsoft website. A separate edition has been integrated with Windows Vista, and will be bundled with that OS when it hits retail next year.

Windows Defender is available for download on soft32.com.