A Neowin reader has sent in screenshots of the recently released to beta testers, Windows Onecare.
Onecare is billed by Microsoft as being "built specifically for people who don"t have the time or technical expertise necessary to secure and manage a computer on a daily basis. It is a comprehensive PC health service that goes beyond security to take an integrated approach to help protect and care for your computer." The software integrates a firewall, anti-virus, backup features and system tune-up into one package.
Microsoft have not announced a released date as yet for the product, and it is unclear whether the company plans to charge for the software (note - setup screenshot two might suggest a subscription model is in the works). When Onecare was announced in May, Microsoft received criticism for offering anti-virus software that protected users from failings in the Windows OS. With Longhorn only just entering beta phases, one might draw the conclusion that Microsoft took the decision to offer a product like this to protect users against serious Windows flaws that require serious Windows updates. This aside, the Antivirus business is a lucrative one; with a "unique" insight into the way its software works, Microsoft could add another integrated product to a already crowded market.
So far, reports from Beta 1 appear positive. The program, we are told, is "surprisingly good". Included in the package are two CD-Rs to help users test the backup function provided. Readers in the US interested in testing the product can do so by entering the Beta ID "OneCare" on Betaplace.