Windows OneCare Will Span System Performance, PC Maintenance, Data Protection
and Security in Easy-to-Manage Service
REDMOND, Wash., May 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The dynamic nature of the
Internet and technology can make the protection, maintenance and optimal
performance of PCs a challenge for consumers. Keeping a PC "healthy" today can
be daunting and time-consuming for the average user.
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To address the need for a more comprehensive PC health solution, Microsoft
Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT) today announced plans to deliver Windows(R) OneCare, a
comprehensive and simple-to-use consumer subscription service that will
provide automated protection, maintenance and performance tuning as an
all-in-one package for Windows-based PCs. Windows OneCare is initially being
distributed to Microsoft(R) employees this week as part of an extensive
testing and development process before broad public beta availability
scheduled for later this year.
"Windows OneCare is the next major advance in our ongoing efforts to help
keep consumers' Windows-based PCs 'healthy' in a way that's simple and as
worry-free as possible for them," said Ryan Hamlin, general manager of the
Technology Care and Safety Group at Microsoft. "We're designing the service so
it will continually update and evolve over time, helping to ensure that our
customers will have the most complete and effective protection and safety
services in place every time they turn on their PC."
Windows OneCare is being designed to address core safety concerns such as
worms, viruses and spyware, but also to span broader PC health issues:
helping protect electronic assets such as digital photos, music, financial
data and software; and guarding against performance degradation and system
clutter that can result from heavy use. Key capabilities and features of
Windows OneCare will include the following:
-- Defense against evolving threats. Windows OneCare will provide
automatically updated anti-virus, anti-spyware and two-way firewall
protection.
-- Performance and reliability tools. PC owners will be able to choose to
have Windows OneCare automatically carry out periodic maintenance tasks such
as disk cleanup, hard-drive defragmentation and file repair. The service also
will offer boot-time information and proactive support tools to help improve
the customer experience.
-- Backup and restore capabilities. Windows OneCare will enable automated
backup of files by category on CD and DVD, along with the option to back up
all files on the system or only those that have changed since the last time
the action was performed. If files are accidentally deleted or corrupted on
the PC hard drive, the service is designed to restore saved versions or map
them on a new PC.
-- Simple, integrated service experience. PC users will have one simple
point of reference for checking the overall health of their system. Windows
OneCare will automatically notify users of available updates or other
recommended actions and enable users to easily act as needed. Otherwise, the
service stays quiet and in the background.
Availability
Microsoft plans to release public beta versions of Windows OneCare to
external audiences in the U.S. later this year. Customers seeking additional
safety and security guidance should visit
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/default.mspx for steps they can take
to increase protection today. More information about Windows OneCare can be
found at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/onecare .
Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software, services
and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
NOTE: Microsoft and Windows are either registered trademarks or
trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the
trademarks of their respective owners.
SOURCE Microsoft Corp.
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http://www.microsoft.com
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