Microsoft to kill off Windows Live OneCare next year

In a very surprising move, Microsoft has announced today that Windows Live OneCare customers will be getting the shaft next year. The software giant has decided to replace OneCare with a free security solution (codenamed "Morro") to be released in the second half of next year. The yet-to-be-announced product will be a realtime anti-malware protection solution, whereas OneCare offered that plus backup and management features. Sales of the Windows Live OneCare subscription service as well as Windows Live OneCare for Server on SBS 2008 will end on June 30, 2009.

If your subscription is about to run out, I'd suggest looking for an alternative instead of renewing a product that is on its way out the door. Sure, OneCare will continue to be available online until Morro is available and your subscription will still work until it ends, but Microsoft's decision makes the company look unreliable.

Full Story: Microsoft to kill off Windows Live OneCare next year (Updated)

 

[.Joe]

Thanks for that post Slimy.

Always good to keep current on MS news.

 

[Adamd]

Interesting, but i guess it's good.

I first read they were going to can the project and i was like WTF just when they were doing a good thing, but then i got to the free part and i was much happier

 

[cwatson71]

Whew..i'm glad i happened to see this thread. I'm getting a notice from Onecare now that my subscription expires in under 30 days. Guess i'll wait it out until the free version. But i gotta say Onecare has been good to me and works great (being able to share it across 3 pc's is a bonus too). Can anyone recommend a good free antivirus for me until then?

 

[SIW2]

Hi cwatson,

A lot of us use Avast free home edition - you need to get a free registration key - it's the best free one , and better than a lot of the paid ones IMO.

http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.html

I disable the vrdbs part - after it's installed just right click the ball with an i , and disable , then merge with the main icon

Hope it helps

SIW2

 

[bassfisher6522]

Will the freebie version be as loaded as the subscription version. If so then it will be worth the wait. If not what would one recommend.

 

[Slimy]

Will the freebie version be as loaded as the subscription version. If so then it will be worth the wait. If not what would one recommend.

It will only be an antimalware solution (no backup or other OneCare features). For free solutions, I recommend Avast or Antivir.

 

[garysgold]

Avast and Spybot Search & Destroy.

Gary