bit-tech Shopping: Microsoft Windows Live OneCare

• Microsoft Windows XP
• Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition
• Microsoft Windows XP Professional
• Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition

Rating: 10

Time with product:

Strengths: Works well with XP, easy to use

Weaknesses: None

Summary: This software, contrary to my gut instincts about the manufacturer, is surprisingly easy to use and effective. Not only does it protect your computer from internet threats, but it allows you to install on multiple computers, and renewing is a breeze! I like how integrated it becomes with the operating system, almost as if they were made by the same company (oh wait, they are).

Rating: 6

Time with product: 80

Strengths: Easy to install- Very good about prompting users to scan and update- In the year of free beta and the year of a paid subscription, my PC has stayed Virus free. Seems to be integrated nicely with windows and less annoying than Norton. All in all, this has

Weaknesses: Canceling your subscription cannot be done online. You must call 866-663-2273 during normal business hours and cancel by phone.

Summary: Nothing is straight forward when it comes to advanced problem solving and the program will nag the heck out of you if you work offline for days at a time.Your subscription is tied to a passport ID. This became annoying a year after I made it trying to remember it.Lastly...$50 is a lot of money per year. They really need to cut that price in half.

Rating: 8

Time with product: 30 Days

Strengths: Simple to use. Set it up and it does the rest.

Weaknesses: Take getting used to compared to other systems.

Summary: Does a great job with Windows XP. Will keep you safe from viruses and make your computer run better. So simple that even a computer novice can have their system protected with the best utility to date.

Rating: 6

Time with product: 41

Strengths: From Microsoft, may have better integration with the OS.

Weaknesses: Anti spyware is basically the same as Windows defender. Not very well integrated with OS.

Summary: Pretty painless to use, everything is done automatically behind the scene. No annoying popup from the taskbar.In addition to check for virus and spyware, on the maintenance and performance side, OneCare performs tasks such as backing up data, applying patches and updates automatically, defrag the hard drive and cleaning the hard drive of unused files. This is nice if you don't already have norton or other tools that do these things. Also, it worked OK after I un-installed Mcafee.

Rating: 4

Time with product: 2 Months

Strengths: easy to install and operate

Weaknesses: Microsoft is fat and lazy. But with this one you can go elsewhere

Summary: Customer service is terrible. I had e-mails that have been disappearing from my inbox and I read that one care was doing it, plus it was a known issue by Microsoft. I looked in their data base, nothing, tried to find a help number to all, they don?t want you to call because finding it was impossible. So four calls later I got a number. I get this guy in India who after verifying that I had one care then told me that since outlook express is part of my operating system and my system was OEM I don?t qualify for help. I cancelled the service. When I need help I want to talk to an American who can speak English.