UPDATE - Microsoft Security Essentials beta available NOW!

The beta of Microsoft Security Essentials is available for download now ... but the download will be capped, so you'll have to be fast!

The beta download for the free security package will go live at noon ET. Downloads will be capped at 75,000, so I'm guessing you'll need to be fast.

Here's the download link - it's live now. Go get it!

[UPDATE: And as quickly as it appeared, it's gone. It seems that 75,000 participants have signed up and Microsoft has now slammed the door on the downloads. Heree's what folks are now seeing:

Thank you for your interest in joining the Microsoft® Security Essentials Beta. We are not accepting additional participants at this time. Please check back at later a date for possible additional availability.

If you caught the download, good, if not, you'll have to wait for the product to be released.]