OneCare Beta Updates M12 Milestone

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Microsoft announces M12 milestone for OneCare. An email was sent out to all current beta testers notifying them of new updates and features in OneCare. The only downside was that all firewall policies and antivirus exclusions were lost in the new build.

New features include:

Backups to external hard drives.
Functionality to scan files or folders with mouse right-click.
Automatic scans of files received via MSN Messenger.
Improvements to the Windows OneCare Help Center.
Automated assistance in uninstalling products that conflict with Windows OneCare.
Integration with Microsoft Update.

View: OneCare Live Website

Screenshot: >> Backup To External HD <<

Screenshot: >> Right Click <<

Screenshot: >> Main Window <<

Backups to external hard drives.
Functionality to scan files or folders with mouse right-click.
Automatic scans of files received via MSN Messenger.
Improvements to the Windows OneCare Help Center.
Automated assistance in uninstalling products that conflict with Windows OneCare.
Integration with Microsoft Update.

Email recieved by beta testers:

QUOTE

Dear Windows OneCare Live Expert Beta Tester:

Good things are happening
Your input is so important to us—we simply couldn't develop our new programs without you—and we want to keep you in the loop about some new features of Windows OneCare Live Beta. We've hit our M12 milestone and refreshed Windows OneCare with new features and functionality. Because the program self-updates automatically, you don't have to do anything to get the new features; you already have the latest version of Windows OneCare on your computer.

But there's one inconvenient thing, too
We could not transfer our users' customized firewall policies and antivirus exclusions to the new version of Windows OneCare; therefore, you will need to make your firewall Allow/Block preferences and antivirus exclusion selections again. We are very sorry for the inconvenience, and we appreciate your patience during this one-time event. As you know, beta testing can be an adventure—sometimes it's a bit more adventurous than we'd like!

Now, back to those good things
Here are the improvements we've made to Windows OneCare as a direct result of your honest and perceptive feedback:

* Backups to external hard drives.
* Functionality to scan files or folders with mouse right-click.
* Automatic scans of files received via MSN Messenger.
* Improvements to the Windows OneCare Help Center.
* Automated assistance in uninstalling products that conflict with Windows OneCare.
* Integration with Microsoft Update.

Like we said, you have these features already, so please check them out! Then head over to http://beta.microsoft.com and use the Submit a Bug tool to give us your thoughts on what we can do to make this program even better. And please continue to attach those support logs.

Thanks for all your help! You rock!
Windows OneCare Beta Program Team

View: OneCare Live Website

Screenshot: >> Backup To External HD <<

Screenshot: >> Right Click <<

Screenshot: >> Main Window <<

#1 Sprocket on 26 Oct 2005 - 09:40

Thanks - just checked my inbox and got the e-mail too

(2 replies) #2 someotherguy582 on 26 Oct 2005 - 12:31

I think that the backing up to external HD will be really useful.

OneCare still needs some features like Ad Blocking, Spam Filtering (email), Privacy Protection, etc.

#2.1 sphbecker on 26 Oct 2005 - 17:46

MS already has Spam Filtering in Outlook; I would expect to see that moved to Outlook Express in Vista.

I really hope we never see general ad-blocking as part of Windows or Internet Explorer. I have no problem with blocking pop-up ads because I don't think a web page should be able to cause your computer to open new advertisement windows on your computer. However, most of the web is supported by ads; building ad-blocking into the OS 95% of people use would fundamentally change the economics behind the Internet (for the worse).

#2.2 deadmonkey on 26 Oct 2005 - 21:03

True but it would be a very clever way to "kill Google"

(2 replies) #3 ahhell on 26 Oct 2005 - 13:00

Wow how revolutionary!!! Backing up to an external hard drive!!! Woohoo!!!

I guess no one has heard of COPY AND PASTE or how about using MS Backup which comes with XP!!

OneCare is about as useful as Norton SystemWorks (ie Software for Tards).

#3.1 bob_c_b on 26 Oct 2005 - 17:05

Get over yourself

#3.2 sphbecker on 26 Oct 2005 - 17:52

Yes, I welcome this new backup software. The backup including with Windows XP (which is virtually unchanged from the one included with Windows NT 4.0 10 years ago), is complete junk. Yes it works, but it is not easy to use and doesn't work all that well.

Anyway, most would probably rather buy a few CD/DVD-RWs to use in their existing drive then buy an expensive external hard drive. The current backup software in Windows provides no automatic way of doing a back to CD or DVD.

The software included with Windows also provides no feedback to the user if a scheduled backup failed; or if the system has not had a good backup in x weeks. As a power user I don't even want to have to check my backups every few months to make sure they are still running; I want to set and forget.

#4 bob_c_b on 26 Oct 2005 - 13:15

I've been in a couple MS BETA test, but this one has been pretty enjoyable and they have been very responsive to feedback. I'll have to pull down this release tonight, did they give the ability to select specific files and folders in the backup tool yet? That has to be one of the most requested features in the BETA discussions.

#5 someotherguy582 on 26 Oct 2005 - 13:31

You mean like were you can specify OneCare to only search for files in certain folders? If so, no. Its still setup as where it searches your whole computer, but in later steps you can add specific files or folders to be added to the backup.

#6 Summoner on 26 Oct 2005 - 18:18

I was on the OneNote test when it started but I soon backed out when I figured out that Microsoft's virus scanner MISSES a large number of virii that other programs like Symantec Corporate and Avast detect and remove.

I filed bugs on it, but Microsoft refused to acknowledge there was a problem.

OneCare is nothing but a joke that will cost consumers plenty...

#7 Hills420 on 26 Oct 2005 - 19:15

Losing the exclusions list was the only downside I had seen so far. The product doesn't seem half bad

#8 Smeltn on 26 Oct 2005 - 20:37

I have been a OneCare beta tester since the beginning.. My only problem is some sites that I have to use for work WILL NOT work with Onecare working. I have tried everything...

Other than that its nice

#9 eilegz on 27 Oct 2005 - 00:52

well if onecare would be free it would be awesome make it like m$ antispyware.

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