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Microsoft to replace OneCare with free service
Microsoft today announced plans to kill its Windows Live OneCare subscription-based security suite and replace it with a free anti-malware utility. Code-named “Morro,” the new product is being positioned as a solution for small form factor and lower power PCs, yet Microsoft says it will take advantage of the same core anti-malware technology that fuels the company’s current line of security products.
Microsoft will of course continue to honor existing 12-month subscribers of OneCare, but from the end of June next year it will stop accepting new sign-ups and begin the gradual process of winding down the service. In addition, Microsoft is also dropping its Equipt product announced just a few months ago and offering refunds to those who already paid for the software-plus-service bundle.
It’s a good thing that Microsoft wants to offer free software to protect PCs from viruses, though one can’t help but wonder how Symantec, McAfee and other anti-virus vendors will react to this offering. The company says Morro will be available as a free download for all users of Windows XP, Vista and the upcoming Windows 7, so as long it is not bundled with the OS they’ll stay clear of anti-trust lawsuits.
Microsoft will of course continue to honor existing 12-month subscribers of OneCare, but from the end of June next year it will stop accepting new sign-ups and begin the gradual process of winding down the service. In addition, Microsoft is also dropping its Equipt product announced just a few months ago and offering refunds to those who already paid for the software-plus-service bundle.
It’s a good thing that Microsoft wants to offer free software to protect PCs from viruses, though one can’t help but wonder how Symantec, McAfee and other anti-virus vendors will react to this offering. The company says Morro will be available as a free download for all users of Windows XP, Vista and the upcoming Windows 7, so as long it is not bundled with the OS they’ll stay clear of anti-trust lawsuits.
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User Comments (3)
Post a comment| spydercanopus on November 20, 2008 5:01 PM | Yay. AVG Free is pretty awesome tho... but choices are nice. Thanks MS.
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| avoidz on November 20, 2008 7:12 PM | That's a good decision by Microsoft (it can't be one of Bonkers Ballmer's).
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| Auldsod on November 21, 2008 2:28 AM | I'm a real skeptic when it comes to Microsoft offereing free security software. Look what happened to Windows Defender: it's effectiveness has dwindled to almost nothing and I predict the same for One Care as a free security service. But really it's only right thay Microsoft provides an effective security program for XP which is admittedly lacking in the scurity area. But we will see...
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