Continuing Windows Live OneCare 2.0 Problems Anger Users

Microsoft updated Windows Live OneCare in November, with much fanfare over its new features, such as OneCare Circle. A number of issues since the release, such as the service seemingly canceling itself, or the program no longer starting after updating to 2.0, have plagued users.

(Click the OneCare logo above to see a screenshot that shows a number of issues on the OneCare forum).

As you hopefully know, Windows Live OneCare was unveiled in 2006 as Microsoft's first foray into security software. As I said at the time, just as with a new car model, I wouldn't trust a new entry into the security arena, and it seems I was right.

Ignoring the fact that one of the biggest issues with 2.0 is that it won't start (!), the key to an antivirus (AV) product is effectiveness, and OneCare has poor results in various AV comparatives.

Things have gotten so bad that one user came up with the solution and posted it in a thread entitled "How to Fix LiveOneCare V. 2.0 Problems." His answer:

1. Find your purchase receipt, box it up, call Microsoft Customer Service and tell them you want a full refund. Mail it in to them and then wait the requisite six months for your refund.

2. Go to the OneCare web site and download and run OneCareCleanUp.exe to get Live OneCare off your computer.

Then google up AVG and dowload (sic) either the $29.95 edition or the free edition and install it on your computer..... and your troubles are over.

You know you've screwed up when the person moderating your forum becomes frustrated. Stephen Boots, the Microsoft Most Valued Professional (MVP) who moderates the OneCare forum, said in the same thread above (7th post in the thread):

There *were* too many problems with the v2 upgrade and too many remain now. I believe that the test bed needs to be evaluated and expanded since the nearly infinite configurations that OneCare will be running on means that exposure to more configurations is crucial. Each release needs to be much better.

As I said before, find yourself a good-rated AV solution from one of the comparatives (check my earlier post), one that doesn't bring your system to its knees (like NOD32), and go for it. If you're still using OneCare, you have my sympathy.