FAQ

What is Windows Live OneCare?
Windows Live OneCare is a comprehensive PC care service that helps protect and maintain your computer with antivirus, firewall, antispyware, anti-phishing, PC performance tune-ups, and file backup and restore functionality.

How much does the Windows Live OneCare service cost?
Windows Live OneCare PC care subscription service costs $49.95 (USD) * (MSRP) per year for up to three computers, offering you the value of protection and maintenance all in one solution. Right now, you can try the service for free by signing up for the free trial.

* Final price will be confirmed at the point of purchase based on your country location/currency and may differ from the price that appears here.

How much does the Windows Live OneCare service cost?
Windows Live OneCare PC care subscription service costs $49.95 (USD) * (MSRP) per year for up to three computers, or $79.95 (USD) * (MSRP) for 2 years for all the PCs in your household, offering you the value of protection and maintenance all in one solution. Right now, you can try the service for free by signing up for the free trial.

* Final price will be confirmed at the point of purchase based on your country location/currency and may differ from the price that appears here.

If I like the Windows Live OneCare service, how can I purchase it?
Once you have installed the free trial, simply open up the main window in OneCare and click the "Activate" button and follow the instructions.

In which countries and languages is Windows Live OneCare available?
The Windows Live OneCare subscription service is available in the following countries and languages: Australia (English), Austria (German), Belgium (Dutch, French), Brazil (Portuguese), Canada (English, French), France (French), Germany (German), Hong Kong (English), Ireland (English), India (English), Italy (Italian), Japan (Japanese), Mexico (Spanish), Netherlands (Dutch), New Zealand (English), Singapore (English), Spain (Spanish), Switzerland (French, German), United Kingdom (English), United States (English, Spanish).

I have another antivirus or firewall program. Can I also install Windows Live OneCare?
No. Before installing Windows Live OneCare, we highly recommend that you uninstall any other antivirus or firewall programs currently on your computer. OneCare might not run, or it might slow the performance of your computer, if you install it when other antivirus or firewall programs are also installed on your computer. During setup, OneCare checks for common antivirus and firewall programs that are known to conflict and provides means for you to uninstall them.

I previously downloaded the beta version of Windows Live OneCare, but did not purchase it. Does the beta version still work?
Existing beta users will still be able to use the OneCare service with the latest updates and virus definitions for several months, but you will eventually need to transfer to the paid subscription service in order to maintain the service updates.

Why does Windows Live OneCare require me to have a Windows Live ID?
As a subscription service, OneCare needs a way to identify you and allow you to access information contained in your account. OneCare uses your Windows Live ID for this purpose. You can also use your Windows Live ID as your sign-in for other Windows Live services.

How is Windows Live OneCare different from Windows Live OneCare safety scanner?
Windows Live OneCare is subscription-based software that, once installed on your PC, runs continuously in the background and automatically updates itself. Windows Live OneCare offers persistent, always-on security features that generally don’t require any action on your part.

Windows Live OneCare safety scanner is a free Web-based service that gives you quick, on-demand PC health and security scans to help you diagnose and solve problems, but it does not proactively protect your PC against new virus infections.

What is Windows Live?
Windows Live is a set of personal Internet services and software designed to bring together in one place all of the relationships, information, and interests people care about most, with more safety and security features across their PC, devices, and the Web. Windows Live will offer people like you a set of tools and services to help keep their computing experience safer, including services like Windows Live OneCare. Learn more about Windows Live.

Windows Live OneCare for Small Businesses

Is my business the right size for Windows Live OneCare?
Any size business can use OneCare to protect and maintain its desktop computers and laptops; however, OneCare is currently best suited for businesses with relatively few computers.

What subscription plans are available?
OneCare is available for $49.95 (USD) per year for up to three computers.

Can I purchase multiple subscriptions of Windows Live OneCare if I have more than three computers?
Yes, you can purchase as many subscriptions as you like. There are no features in the current version of OneCare that require all computers within one household or business to be on the same subscription. You’ll experience the same level of protection, ease of use, and peace of mind with one subscription or many.

How is Windows Live OneCare different from Microsoft Forefront Client Security?
Windows Live OneCare is a comprehensive PC care service that helps protect and maintain your computer with antivirus, firewall, antispyware, anti-phishing, PC performance tune-ups, and file backup and restore functionality. It's an all-in-one service designed specifically for home PC users and small businesses. Microsoft Forefront Client Security provides unified malware protection for enterprise desktops, laptops, and server operating systems that's easier to manage and control. Forefront Client Security helps guard business systems and networks against emerging threats such as spyware and rootkits as well as traditional threats such as viruses, worms, and Trojan horses. Forefront Client Security also delivers centralized administration and integrates with a company’s existing infrastructure software, such as Active Directory, and complements other Microsoft security technologies for better protection and greater control. Learn more about Forefront Client Security.

Can I install Windows Live OneCare on more than one computer?
Your OneCare account allows you to install OneCare on up to three computers using the same Windows Live ID that you used to install OneCare on the first computer. Learn more.

What is the difference between Windows Live OneCare for Small Business and Windows Live OneCare?
Windows Live OneCare for Small Business will provide protection for Windows Small Business Server 2008 Standard and Premium platforms, and the Windows Server 2008 Standard 64-bit platform. A single subscription to Windows Live OneCare provides protection for up to three PCs.

With Windows Live OneCare for Small Business and Windows Live OneCare, small businesses can now extend the protection of OneCare to both the server and the PCs in their network.

How do I purchase Windows Live OneCare for Small Business?
Windows Live OneCare for Small Business subscriptions, important details about this exciting release, and a free trial of Windows Live OneCare for Small Business, are all available.

How do I protect my small business network with Windows Live OneCare for Small Business and Windows Live OneCare?
With the new multi-PC and small business network management feature in Windows Live OneCare for Server you can monitor and configure Windows Live OneCare on your small business computers. This allows the server running OneCare for Server to take such actions as centralized data backup and restoring PCs to a secure "green" state on all machines covered by individual OneCare subscriptions.

With the help of Windows Live OneCare for Small Business, and Windows Live OneCare subscriptions (to cover individual computers), small business owners will be able to protect Windows-based servers, laptops, and PCs in their small business networks. OneCare for Small Business includes:

• Business network management
• Support for Windows Server 2008 platforms
• Antivirus and antispyware protection for servers
• Backup and restore for servers

What server platforms are supported?

• Windows Small Business Server 2008 Standard
• Windows Small Business Server 2008 Premium
• Windows Server 2008 Standard 64-bit

In what countries will Windows Live OneCare for Small Business be supported?
Windows Live OneCare for Server will be supported in all languages and countries where Windows Live OneCare is currently supported: Australia (English), Austria (German), Belgium (Dutch, French), Brazil (Portuguese), Canada (English, French), France (French), Germany (German), Hong Kong (English), Ireland (English), India (English), Italy (Italian), Japan (Japanese), Mexico (Spanish), Netherlands (Dutch), New Zealand (English), Singapore (English), Spain (Spanish), Switzerland (French, German), United Kingdom (English), United States (English, Spanish).

How much does Windows Live OneCare for Small Business cost?
Get pricing information for Windows Live OneCare for Small Business.

How does Windows Live OneCare for Small Business protect my server?
Windows Live OneCare for Small Business offers real-time, unified antivirus and antispyware protection to keep your server safe from malware, and helps prevent viruses, worms, Trojans, spyware, and other malicious software from infecting your server.

Can I try OneCare for Small Business on my server?
Yes, if your system meets the Windows Live OneCare for Small Business system requirements, test OneCare for Server by downloading a free trial.

Windows Live OneCare Awards and Certifications

Windows Live OneCare has received the following industry certifications.

Note that the sites linked to below are in English only.

Windows Live OneCare earns ICSA Labs Antivirus Certification

Microsoft is pleased to announce that Windows Live OneCare has received ICSA Antivirus Certification.

For over a decade, ISCA Labs, an independent division of Cybertrust, Inc., has been the security industry's central authority for research, intelligence, and certification testing of products. ICSA Labs sets standards for information security products and certifies over 95% of the installed base of antivirus, firewall, IPSec VPN, cryptography, SSL VPN, network IPS, and antispyware products commonly deployed in the world today.

What customers are saying about Windows Live OneCare

From casual computer users to technically savvy experts, people are thrilled with the easy, always-on protection of Windows Live OneCare:

• It's amazing. I like that it has everything. It's like driving a computer with airbags! I really like not having to worry about it--I'm on the computer all the time, and it's very nice to know that I have that up-to-the-minute protection."
  -Sharon, stained glass artist in South Carolina
• "OneCare is very easy to operate. It makes it nice not having to hunt for spyware and virus programs and making sure they are up to date and running."
  -Richard, home computer user in Arizona
• "I have always felt a bit vulnerable with a DSL connection, and now I have the security of always-on protection provided at a reasonable cost. In the past I would rarely back up files--it wasn't something I thought about. Now I will back up my files on a regular basis, as I know I should."
  -Jan, home computer user in Maryland
• "The idea behind it, having a group of essential tools all working automatically in the background, is simply great."
  -Christopher, network analyst/software engineer in New York
• "Just to let you know it is 'two thumbs up' for Windows Live OneCare!"
  -Ron, Internet manager for car dealership in Texas
• "We have been using OneCare for a while--and have removed other similar packages from development computers and replaced them with OneCare. We are very pleased."
  -John, managing director of an Internet company in Kansas
• "On Windows Live OneCare... all I have to say in one word: 'Awesome.' I've been servicing PCs for over five years and never come across such a complete program. It does everything with just one click of the mouse."
  -Abdullah, PC consultant in New York

Backs up your files

• Intelligent and automated backup of photos, music, and other documents
• Easy file restoration
• Smart and automated online photo backup for all your computers (protect your memories by backing it up to a 50GB online location)

Backs up your files

You know creating regular backups is important, but you never seem to get the time to burn those CDs and copy your most important files—and with several PCs and laptops it’s even more daunting. All those photos in all different folders. Thousands of songs. Never fear. It’s simple to safeguard it all. OneCare detects new and changed data files on your networked computers and backs them up to the location you choose automatically. Just set it up once, and you're done!

File and photo backup

• Intelligent and automated backup protects your precious photos, music, and documents
• Simple and quick centralized backup of data from multiple PCs to a central location
• Choose backup location: CDs, DVDs, external hard disk, flash or MMC device, USB storage device, or network computer
• Restore files to any computer running Windows Live OneCare
• Optional service backs up photos to a highly secure location online with 50GB of storage space (additional subscription required). Learn more about Online Photo Backup Service.

Simple, automated, and easy to use

• Helps secure information sent and received, utilizes proactive fixes and recommendations from Microsoft, and backs up your files to a centralized location
• Automated tools help ensure that the PCs in your OneCare Circle operate at peak performance—and stay that way
• Proactively fixes many issues before they become problems
• Monitor the health of multiple PCs using the icon in your task bar: Green means healthy, yellow means fair with non-critical actions to review, red means at risk

Free support and help

• Tech support is just a click or call away to troubleshoot any issues

Manages multiple PCs

• Fast scans that run in the background
• Automatic version upgrades and virus definition updates to keep your PC better protected against continuously evolving threats
• Frees up hard disk space and reduces clutter to speed up PC response time
• Unused startup applications are disabled for faster PC startup

Manages multiple PCs

Manage all of the computers covered in your subscription from your very own desk—whether those PCs are connected to your home’s wireless network or located elsewhere, like at your parent’s, on the road, or away at college. The automatic protection of OneCare helps keeps each computer running in top condition, and stops you from running around.

Manage covered computers from a central hub

• Easily set up and manage security and file backups for multiple PCs
• Shorten each computer’s start time by removing clutter on the hard drive
• Manage your home network, including sharing printers

Simple, automated, and easy to use

• Proactively fixes many issues before they become problems
• Automated tools help ensure that the PCs in your OneCare Circle operate at peak performance—and stay that way
• Monitor the health of multiple PCs using the icon in your task bar: Green means healthy, yellow means fair with non-critical actions to review, red means at risk
• Helps secure information sent and received, utilizes proactive fixes and recommendations from Microsoft, and backs up your files to a centralized location

One-click printer sharing

• Print to any printer connected to any PC in your OneCare Circle.

Get the most out of your PCs.

Want high performance? Get fitter and faster with OneCare, the one-stop clinic for complete PC care. Automated tune ups help maintain and optimize every PC and laptop covered by your subscription. By proactively suggesting and removing rarely used applications and defragging and cleaning up hard-drive clutter, OneCare fine-tunes each computer to start fast and run smooth!

Protection without sacrificing speed

• Runs in the background without affecting other applications
• Delivers best-in-class protection without sacrificing speed or performance

Performance tune-ups

• Defragments hard disk to speed up PC response time
• Frees up hard disk space to reduce hard disk clutter
• Continually scans and removes any remaining viruses, spyware, and malicious programs—and blocks these programs to prevent harm
• Proactively fixes Startup entries and cache-related problems
• Removes unused Startup applications so that your PC is up and running faster
• Automatically back ups your important flies to a centralized location that you specify

Always up-to-date threat protection and system upgrades

• Quietly runs in the background and never takes system resourced so you never lose speed
• Downloads product upgrades automatically
• Automatic and up-to-date Virus definitions for each computer as long as subscription is active

Maintain peak performance

• One central hub lets you manage all your covered PCs
• One-click printer sharing
• Automatic software and security updates
• Phishing filter that helps block fraudulent Web sites
• Security for names and passwords on all [covered] computers in the home

Keeps you safer online.

With OneCare comes greater peace of mind, knowing your home network, computers, and vital personal data are better protected from online threats—not to mention that any children can surf in greater safety, too!

Antivirus, antispyware, and firewall

• Monitors ongoing processes and helps protect your PC against a range of threats.
• Helps stop viruses and spyware including Trojans, worms, and other malicious software.
• Improves protection of information that comes into and goes out of your PCs with a two-way firewall.
• Helps protects by scanning e-mail and cleaning downloaded files in real time cleaning as they come in.

Wireless networking security

• Automated network security features recognize when you are on a trusted home wireless network and when you’re using wireless connections on the go—then change security settings accordingly.

Online identity theft protection

• Helps safeguard your personal information when you browse the Web, do online banking, or make purchases.
• Improves security of user names and passwords.
• Blocks fraudulent websites using Microsoft Phishing Filter in Internet Explorer 7.

Keeps you safer online

• Antivirus and antispyware all in one
• Two-way firewall helps stop hackers in their tracks
• Wireless networking security
• Online identity theft protection
• Safety features that help protect your family