Quietly last fall Microsoft began giving away for free the best virus protection and spyware software you can use, if you have a Windows PC running XP, Vista, or Windows 7. It's called Microsoft Security Essentials and you can install it by visiting this link: free virus software from Microsoft. Microsoft instructs you to uninstall any virus software you already have before installing Microsoft Security Essentials, as your old program may create conflicts. Uninstall your old programs by clicking Start and going to your Windows Control Panel. Once installed, your PC will be continuously updated daily with the latest virus and spyware protection for free. In past years Microsoft charged $49.95 a year for its virus protection software, but when Windows 7 was released in late 2009, Microsoft likely decided to give away virus protection because in the past so many people were calling Microsoft complaining Windows wasn't working, when in fact it was a virus causing the problems. Cheaper to protect everyone and not have them calling? Microsoft Security Essentials only works on registered PCs running Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7.