Windows Live OneCare
All-in-one security and more performance for the PC
All-in-one security and more performance for the PC
Windows Live One Care combines easy access to existing security and maintenance settings (phishing filter, Windows firewall, defragmentation) with the additional functions of a Antivirus program, one Ad and Spyware Killers and an Personal Firewall.
In addition, there is a simple one Backup function integrated that automatically backs up files. And not only on other partitions and removable media, but also on any network drive.
In addition, there is a simple one Backup function integrated that automatically backs up files. And not only on other partitions and removable media, but also on any network drive.
The Windows Live OneCare subscription generally includes:
- An annual license for up to three PCs
- Automatic OneCare updates and upgrades for all OneCare components and functions (e.g. ongoing implementation of virus definitions, firewall guidelines, anti-spyware rules and performance-enhancing routines).
You can set up and manage all these things on up to three computers at the same time (this number can, however, be increased at will by purchasing additional licenses). For this purpose, the individual computers are in a ??One Care Group?? summarized, so that the settings can also be adopted on the other computers and each computer does not have to be configured individually.
Windows Live OneCare has been improved in four key areas:
- Network Management
- improved protection
- performance Tuning
- Data backup and recovery.
System Requirements:
- Windows XP SP2 or Windows Vista (build 5500 or higher; recommended build: 5600, also called RC1)
- Internet Explorer 6 or higher
- PC with a CPU clock speed of 300 MHz or higher
- 256 MB RAM
- 550 MB free hard disk space (on the system partition)
- Internet connection at 56 kbps or faster (broadband connection recommended)
- CD or DVD burner, external hard drive, computer on a local network, or USB storage device required for backup and restore
Windows Live OneCare: The Start
After the simple and uncomplicated installation, which also includes the latest updates, all you have to do is use your software Live ID activate and enter the Product keys activate the one-year subscription to antivirus updates.
The program then starts automatically in the background like any other virus scanner.
What bothered me personally is that you uninstall any anti-virus programs that were already installed during the installation GOT TO, otherwise One Care cannot be installed. But this has to do with the fact that different antivirus programs tend to slow each other down. But that's not a problem either, you can reinstall it afterwards, but then you have to deactivate the real-time protection of the third-party program.
Antivirus and firewall programs known to conflict with Windows Live OneCare:
- Symantec Norton Internet Security 2005
- Symantec Norton Antivirus 2005
- Symantec Norton SystemWorks 2005
- McAfee Internet Security Suite 2005
- McAfee VirusScan 8.0 / 2004
- Trend Micro PC-cillin Internet Security 2005
- Avira Antivir
After the first start, Windows Live One Care welcomes us with a simple interface that shows pretty much everything important about the current status of the security measures.
As long as everything is in the green there, you don't need to worry about anything else, otherwise One Care reminds you that you should take measures so slowly.
As you can see, it also explains exactly what you should do!
In our case: make a data backup.
Then let's just start with this function:
Data backup:
After clicking on: ??Configure data backup?? the setup wizard appears with the following steps:
Click on the pictures to enlarge them
The online photo backup is a funny and easy way to save your photos on an online storage space, but you have to subscribe separately and costs 10 for 50 GB storage space ?? per year. I think a few blanks are a bit cheaper, but involve a lot more work.
The antivirus and spyware scan:
After clicking on: ??Scan for viruses and spyware?? a window opens with three simple options:
The first point starts a quick scan which, within a really short period of time, only searches the places where the most active viruses and pests are hiding, so the perfect scan for "in between".
The second variant scans the entire PC including all storage media, which is naturally ?? something ?? with large amounts of data. can last.
The last variant offers the possibility to select exactly what you really want to have searched, so it is intended to just search the download directory or the shared folder (s).
The performance optimization or "maintenance":
Is here ?? only ?? referred to as maintenance, it is much more than that.
What is done during maintenance:
Setting options:
The individual tasks can be found under: ??Additional links: Change settings?? also adjust something, but only to a very limited extent.
Images:
Firewall settings; Maintenance; Data backup; Viruses and spyware; Printer sharing; Logging.
What is noticeable here, but cannot be seen immediately on the start page, is an improved firewall and printer sharing for the computers belonging to the One Care group.
The firewall:
The first thing you notice, of course, is that the firewall also detects outgoing connection attempts, which does not work with the one integrated in XP or Vista. However, their settings are also kept quite simple, which saves long searches and fiddling.
The printer share:
Here it is possible to share all printers connected to computers in your own One Care group with the other group PCs. This would also work with the operating system's on-board resources, but it is much easier to set up here and does not have to be done individually on all computers.
You share all of the printers on the main computer and the printer is then automatically integrated on the group computers (this only works with locally connected printers, it did not work with my network printer on the Fritzbox)
And now a few more words about perhaps the most inconspicuous function:
The One Care Group
What is a One Care group:
It is a group of up to three computers which are combined in a group (therefore three licenses per Windows Live One Care Box). As already described above, this number can be expanded as required by purchasing additional licenses.
What do I get from that:
It enables the maintenance and security status of the individual computers to be viewed from one computer and, if necessary, measures to be taken. The main PC (several can also be set up) controls the functions of the others, so you can start data backup or an AV scan without remote control software.
Apparently it is also possible to combine different computers in a group if they are not in the same place, but then the ?? remote control ?? works. not or only if a VPN is set up. I couldn't test this because of the lack of possibilities.
And finally ...
It's touted as a complete solution by Microsoft, and it is.
For the "normal user" who cannot / does not want to mess with individual settings of firewalls, antivirus scanners, printer and network settings, it is the (almost) perfect tool. It simplifies and bundles the attitudes that one normally collects ?? and combines that with a simple but effective security package.
And since it comes directly from Microsoft, the integration into the existing operating system is of course much more comfortable and ?? more accessible ?? than other solutions.
The "power user", on the other hand, will not really be able to do anything with it, as the setting options are deliberately designed to be a bit simpler and therefore not quite as differentiated as some might have.
The fact that the signature updates are only included for one year, and you then have to buy a new subscription or extend the existing one, is something you are used to from almost all other firewall and antivirus programs. And the RRP of 49,95 ?? per year is also in the area that has to be paid for other solutions.
Further information and download of a 90 day trial version:
Windows Live OneCare home page
Windows Live OneCare security package at Amazon.de
Is here ?? only ?? referred to as maintenance, it is much more than that.
What is done during maintenance:
- The ?? unneeded files ?? are deleted, but this point can also be switched off (this includes all temporary files and temporary installation files, so you don't have to worry about anything personal being deleted)
- The hard drive is defragmented (but only C :)
- A full virus scan is carried out
- The newly added files are backed up
- Updates and patches for Microsoft products (i.e. XP, Office etc.) are searched for and installed.
Setting options:
The individual tasks can be found under: ??Additional links: Change settings?? also adjust something, but only to a very limited extent.
Images:
Firewall settings; Maintenance; Data backup; Viruses and spyware; Printer sharing; Logging.
What is noticeable here, but cannot be seen immediately on the start page, is an improved firewall and printer sharing for the computers belonging to the One Care group.
The firewall:
The first thing you notice, of course, is that the firewall also detects outgoing connection attempts, which does not work with the one integrated in XP or Vista. However, their settings are also kept quite simple, which saves long searches and fiddling.
The printer share:
Here it is possible to share all printers connected to computers in your own One Care group with the other group PCs. This would also work with the operating system's on-board resources, but it is much easier to set up here and does not have to be done individually on all computers.
You share all of the printers on the main computer and the printer is then automatically integrated on the group computers (this only works with locally connected printers, it did not work with my network printer on the Fritzbox)
And now a few more words about perhaps the most inconspicuous function:
The One Care Group
What is a One Care group:
It is a group of up to three computers which are combined in a group (therefore three licenses per Windows Live One Care Box). As already described above, this number can be expanded as required by purchasing additional licenses.
What do I get from that:
It enables the maintenance and security status of the individual computers to be viewed from one computer and, if necessary, measures to be taken. The main PC (several can also be set up) controls the functions of the others, so you can start data backup or an AV scan without remote control software.
Apparently it is also possible to combine different computers in a group if they are not in the same place, but then the ?? remote control ?? works. not or only if a VPN is set up. I couldn't test this because of the lack of possibilities.
And finally ...
It's touted as a complete solution by Microsoft, and it is.
For the "normal user" who cannot / does not want to mess with individual settings of firewalls, antivirus scanners, printer and network settings, it is the (almost) perfect tool. It simplifies and bundles the attitudes that one normally collects ?? and combines that with a simple but effective security package.
And since it comes directly from Microsoft, the integration into the existing operating system is of course much more comfortable and ?? more accessible ?? than other solutions.
The "power user", on the other hand, will not really be able to do anything with it, as the setting options are deliberately designed to be a bit simpler and therefore not quite as differentiated as some might have.
The fact that the signature updates are only included for one year, and you then have to buy a new subscription or extend the existing one, is something you are used to from almost all other firewall and antivirus programs. And the RRP of 49,95 ?? per year is also in the area that has to be paid for other solutions.
Further information and download of a 90 day trial version:
Windows Live OneCare home page
Windows Live OneCare security package at Amazon.de