"I've used Norton Internet Security for years (I *hate* it though, see my review of Norton Internet Security 2008). This year, I've experimented with virtual PCs using Microsoft Virtual PC 2007 and VMWare. I tried using NIS 2008, but it wouldn't install on my virtual PCs (stupid product) so I looked for a cheap alternative, and found OneCare. It installed wonderfully on my virtual PCs, and it does a fine job of protecting them. The 2.0 version adds a few new tricks which are nice. I wish that OneCare would add a feature to filter websites, and I can't easily add IP addresses to a list of permissible websites like I can with NIS, but those aren't major shortcomings. For good, cheap protection, OneCare does a fine job. I look forward to future releases of this Windows Live OneCare 2.0. "

    "Unfortunately for Microsoft, their name brings a lot of fear and loathing (sometimes rightly so, many times not). OneCare 2.0 provides some much-needed effectiveness to Microsoft's security suite. While the previous versions were outright terrible against malware, 2.0 is starting to achieve respectable scores with independent tests such as AV-Comparatives. Also, they are often one of the first vendors to have updated signatures in the event of an outbreak - Also very important.

Performance of this suite is the best I've seen, and I've used products like Kaspersky and NOD32.

The ability to manage multiple PCs is a nice and simple capability, that I appreciate MS putting in.

The major downside I see right now is in its backup function, which is far too simplistic (and leaves out major components of 3rd party software - such as your Mozilla settings if you use Firefox and/or Thunderbird). This keeps me from giving it 5 stars.

Windows Live OneCare 2.0 is the suite I'm presently using on my Vista 64-bit machines, and I see no reasons to look elsewhere at this point. "

    "The Microsoft branding certainly seems to be a polarizing influence when it comes to a product like Windows Live OneCare 2.0. I saw one review slam it for the annual fee that the product (and all of those in the same quality and functional range) charges. Another because it slowed her system to a crawl (you likely have bigger hardware problems than this can address). Derek had a hysterical review touching on not just where this product falls short, but also on a theory of evil itself. I'm not discrediting or discounting these perspectives at all -- I think the different experiences of a wide range of people is what makes consumer reviews worthwhile, but I do wonder if the vitriol would have been the same had this been someone else's product. In the end, I don't suppose it matters.

OneCare 2.0's best point, in my estimation, is that it is seamlessly integrated into either Windows Vista, or Windows XP (I use it on both). I had been a McAfee and then a Norton user for well over a decade, and it always felt like a bit of a systemic power struggle between them and Windows. I don't fault either product for that reality, but the bottom line is that I wanted something that would work well, but do so without me having to spend much time thinking about it. I wanted something that would be more or less transparent. OneCare can be certainly that.

I used the original OneCare on a couple of my systems back when it was in beta, and 2.0 is clearly a product that has evolved and been polished over time. A single registration allows coverage of three machines (three installs) at a time, and you can set one as a hub and monitor the status of the other two through that. As I sit here typing, I can see that this laptop is in the green, the desktop needs to install a Windows update, and the other laptop needs to be configured for data backups. That's convenient. Doesn't do much for people with only one system, but it's wonderful for those with more.

I was disappointed to see that OneCare 2.0 identifies AdAware 2007 as a conflicting resource. After a bit of reading, I've come to realize that AdAware currently runs a constant service on the machine upon which it's been installed, and it's this service that causes the monitoring conflict. I did uninstall AdAware, but I'm hopeful that Lavasoft and/or Microsoft will come up with a solution that will allow me to put it back on. I'm a fan of using that product (along with Spybot S&D, and a few others) in conjunction with OneCare (different programs are good at different things).

OneCare is largely a set-it-and-forget-it type of program. It will update itself if you allow that. Once configured, it will regularly back up your data to the resource of your choosing. It makes logical decisions about what programs to allow through, and when it's not sure, it asks you what to do. When it comes time to make a more complicated change, such as allowing an XBox 360 to access your media files through the firewall, the controls are intuitive and well documented so that even those intimidated by such tasks (like my wife, for example) are able to figure them out without the extra time and frustration that came with and from other products.

Like anything else, OneCare probably isn't for everyone. This is probably why they give you 90 days to try it out for free. Install it, enjoy full functionality for three months, and if you decide it's not for you, install it. Contrary to some claims herein, removing this software is quick, easy, and complete. I did it myself just for the sake of this review -- and then installed it again right afterwards. For me, OneCare 2.0 is a definite keeper. I've taken one star from the grade because I'd like to see them improve upon the already good mal/ad/spy-ware scanning, and because of the conflict with AdAware (for which I fault neither company). Absolutely worth giving this one a try to see if it's right for you as well. "

    "Pros:
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 been a great experience.

Cons:
Canceling your subscription cannot be done online. You must call 866-663-2273 during normal business hours and cancel by phone.
This program is not compatible with an 64 bit Windows operating systems. Networking is an exercise in patience.
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 Windows Live OneCare 2.0.
"

    "I have been using Windows Live OneCare 2.0 for about a year-and-a-half, and I went to the 2.0 version about three months ago. I've got to tell you though, I wasn't too happy about using it at first because of two factors: 1) Microsoft seemed to be linking a lot of things to this "Live" concept, and 2) The program seemed like it was making a lot of promises it couldn't keep. On the first matter, I still have some concerns; on the second matter, it has lived-up to its promises.

After almost a year, Microsoft upgraded my product to 2.0, and then when I added another computer to my LAN, I used one of the three licenses that came with the new version of OneCare to extend my HUB's subscription. And it did so without a problem. You will notice on the picture I uploaded from my individual computer (see customer images), that my subscription will renew in three days.

I don't know about you, but at work I've seen what not keeping-up with your virus protection and firewall protection can do to someone's computer. Mine hasn't been hit, but other's have and we use Norton's and McAfee at work with each computer set for automatic updates. At home, since I have a LAN, too, I wanted to make sure I didn't have similar problems, so for the past three years I tested several products, namely Norton's System Works, Norton's 360, e-Trust (Computer Associates), and OneCare.

Having used Norton's for over 12 years, I have been disappointed that they are doing less with their products, and I really became disenchanted when they didn't offer their firewall protection with System Works. Then, it seemed I couldn't find System Works, and I had to use 360, which was a mere shadow of System Works. It grated me that I had to buy one product, then buy their Internet Security, too. I, also, didn't think they were on top of the virus situation as much as they used to be. Then, there was an issue about renewals that did not go into effect when they should, and hour long waits for tech support to help correct the problem.

So, I tried e-Trust, and I didn't have any qualms about it, at first. At first it sent out e-mails, often times several times a day to update the software virus protection. Then, it went to an automatic check whenever you booted-up. Then, came the renewal. I had it on two machines and was successful only on one when it came to renewing my subscription. Now, batting 500 is great in the major leagues, but not when it comes to protecting my computer.

OneCare, though, has lived-up to their promises. At first I had it on one computer, and it performed a massive back-up that took all night (200 GB's... this was with version 1.0). Subsequent back-ups went quicker for only the new, or changed, files were updated. Adding 2.0 to other computers produced a back-up on individual computers much faster, 1 to 2 hours, depending on the computer, with amounts in the 100 GB range. With 2.0, I've been able to have one centralized back-up on an exterior HP Drive. I, also, have back-ups performed on each computer with various other drives: Seagate's FreeAgent, and Simple-Tech.

In total, I have four computers set-up on OneCare. Two are on the hard-wire, and two are on a WiFi connected to the hard-wire, with my laptop's back-up on another computers external drive (I added the laptop the day after writing this review, which gives me the 4th computer on the network.) One benefit I've seen of using OneCare is that the new computer's version usually recognizes the printers on the network, and it asks me if I want this computer to have access to it. If it doesn't, and I am not a networking whiz, I have just loaded the drivers for a printer that is on the network, and it then easily finds that printer and finishes out connecting the printer with that computer.

Once I set my schedule of the tasks for OneCare, I've let it do it's job, and I've had only one issue, and that's not a OneCare problem... On the iMac, I have both Mac OS X and XP Pro running. With XP Pro, I have OneCare installed. When XP Pro updates itself, it cannot download and install all updates, so OneCare gives me a "yellow," or caution warning. After manually having XP Pro on the iMac finish its download, everything goes "green," which to me is a great place to stop this review.

OneCare has greatly simplified my life. Version 2.0 is better than 1.0., and you can have from one to three computers covered with one subscription. Also, when I extended my subscription, it added the year onto my current subscription several months in advance without my having to call tech support to straighten out a problem. Regarding subscriptions, you have to have a "live.com" ID activating your initial, up to, 3 subscriptions (for me this was a "hotmail.com" address). If you have more computers to cover than 3, you will need a second "live.com" ID. Renewals are around $49.00 for one year's protection for up to three computers. Unlike some virus programs, like Norton's, you cannot uninstall OneCare and then install a newly-purchased, unused copy of OneCare, unless you install it under a different "live.com" ID. (BTW, I learned this the hard way, yet the Microsoft folks were quick at straightening it out (866-ONECARE).)

As the say on TV sometimes, I"m a happy camper, and I'd recommend this product to anyone wanting to protect one computer or several on a LAN. Be sure to check-out the pictures I uploaded to give you a better idea of what type of information you will receive from OneCare because that generally will tell you more than what I did about its capabilities. "