Windows Live OneCare - Secure Computing Solutions
Early Impressions of Windows Live OneCare
Initially, when Windows Live OneCare was released and in its formative phases, opinions were mixed, with many believing improvements were necessary. However, significant development has taken place, resulting in a more robust and feature-rich product. This comprehensive security package, provided by Microsoft, encompasses fundamental security measures and beyond.
Key features include an enhanced Firewall, protection against Viruses and Spyware, safeguards against Identity Theft, Performance Tune-ups, and a straightforward, centralized Backup configuration. A particularly noteworthy capability is the ability to manage up to three PCs simultaneously.
Installation Process
For the purpose of this review, the installation is being performed on Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit. The process is anticipated to be largely consistent across other Vista versions and Windows XP. Should you encounter any issues with different Windows versions, or wish to share your experiences with Windows Live OneCare, please feel free to leave a comment.
Upon initiating the Live OneCare installation, an automatic check for updates is performed. Following this, the remainder of the setup procedure commences. You will first be asked to select your preferred language, then review a concise description of the software suite before proceeding by clicking 'Next'.
Subsequently, you will be prompted to read and accept the End User License Agreement (EULA) and Terms of Use. After acceptance, Windows Live OneCare will download and install the necessary files. With a DSL connection, this process took approximately ten minutes to complete.
A system reboot is required once the installation is finalized.
Upon restarting, a welcome screen appears. Here, you can choose to purchase a license ($49.95) or opt for the limited trial version, which is the selection being made for this evaluation. This allows for a thorough testing of all features during the 90-day trial period.
Immediately noticeable are several notification balloons and messages highlighting potential security vulnerabilities on the system, as identified by OneCare.
Selecting the free trial prompts Microsoft to confirm your decision, requesting a second confirmation.
Confirmation received – Windows Live OneCare is now ready and actively running.
An improvement observed is the firewall’s behavior when launching AIMP Audio Player, which is associated with Last.FM. The OneCare Firewall inquired whether the program should be granted internet access. This contrasts with the native Windows firewall, which primarily blocks incoming connections. While initially slightly disruptive, allowing access for known safe programs prevents repeated prompts.
The subsequent settings prompts are similar to those encountered during the initial Vista installation. OneCare requests confirmation of the network connection type.
The Windows Live OneCare control center serves as the central hub for modifying settings, initiating scans, and managing other security-related tasks.
Configuring Windows Live OneCare
Windows Live OneCare Settings provide granular control over the operation of various protection components.
A schedulable feature is the PC tune-up. This performs routine maintenance tasks, including hard drive defragmentation, virus scans, and checks for security updates from Microsoft.
Multiple Windows-based PCs (up to three) can be managed within a OneCare circle. Furthermore, signing in with a Windows Live ID unlocks additional benefits during the trial period.
When initiating a manual scan for Viruses and Spyware, three scan types are available: Quick, Complete, and Customized. All scan types allow for the archiving of scan reports.
Regardless of the chosen scan type, a progress screen is displayed, offering the option to pause the scan if necessary.
A successful and healthy scan result!
Periodically, security advisories will appear, notifying you of uninstalled Microsoft Security Updates. These provide a brief description and a link to the Microsoft website for further details.
Concluding Thoughts
Overall, my experience with Windows Live OneCare has been positive. It presents a user-friendly security solution for home computers. It is relatively non-intrusive and appears to cause fewer issues than some other all-in-one security suites. Utilities like Norton or McAfee often integrate deeply into the operating system and can be problematic. I would recommend this solution as it is designed for seamless integration.
Ideally, Microsoft would include this functionality directly within the Windows operating system, perhaps in Windows 7. OneCare is compatible with any PC running Windows XP Home SP2 or later, and all Vista (32 or 64-bit) editions. *Please note that the 64-bit edition of Windows XP is not supported.
Download And Install Windows Live OneCare 90 Day Trial