Microsoft’s freebie virus and spyware deterrent, Security Essentials (MSE), née Morro, is due to make it out officially Tuesday after being in limited open beta for months.

It’s not supposed to be a drag on the system the way Norton can be and it automatically stays current with the latest virus definitions.

Microsoft claims not to be in competition with Symantec and McAfee; it says it’s just out to protect consumers that can’t afford their stuff for the good of the entire Windows ecosystem.

MSE replaces the subscription-based Live OneCare. Rivals claimed Microsoft couldn’t compete in the paid arena.

Business customers are supposed to continue to use Forefront Client Security. The two share technologies but Security Essentials is the first Microsoft security product to make use of its “real-time” Dynamic Signature Service for keeping users up-to-date with virus definitions.

It will work on XP SP2 or SP3, Vista and Windows 7 including XP mode on both x32 and x64 PCs.

And Microsoft says it will be available in eight languages and 19 countries including Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States.

It can be downloaded by one and all at http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials.