Microsoft Security Essentials 2.1 now has a new home, under Windows.com, and is no longer hosted under Microsoft.com/security_essentials.

The software giant was completely mute on moving MSE, but then again, the company did not announce the release of v2.0, so silence was somewhat to be expected. Users navigating to Microsoft.com/security_essentials are now automatically redirected to the new MSE site under Windows. Downloads and information on the free security solution for Windows are available at MSE's new home.

As far as I can tell, nothing else has changed about Microsoft Security Essentials. The solution is still available free of charge to end users of genuine Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7, as well as to business customers for up to 10 computers.

But personally, I'm finding it very hard not to read between the lines with the move of Microsoft Security Essentials under Windows.com, and the new default security solution packed inside Windows 8.

As early adopters undoubtedly know, Windows 8's Windows Defender has evolved with antimalware capabilities beyond what any of its predecessors was capable of. Essentially, Windows Defender is now a security solution on par with Microsoft Security Essentials.

This move from the software giant raises questions about the future of MSE as a standalone security product, especially in the context in which it continues to be used by so many customers.

In all fairness, the Redmond company has not said anything about the future of Microsoft Security Essentials, and certainly offered no indication that it plans to shelve this product.

On the other hand, Microsoft also didn't provide any clues of its commitment to providing MSE in the future, and when version 2.0 launched, the company ignored it completely. I said this before, but to me at least, Microsoft's silence around MSE strangely resembles that which preceded the death of Live OneCare.

Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) 2.1 is available for download here.