Microsoft makes OneCare free for some

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Microsoft is preparing to roll out its Windows Live OneCare security product, it is offering some people the $49.95-a-year service for free

On Tuesday, Microsoft sent e-mail invitations to a select number of people who have been testing OneCare, asking them to join a "perpetual beta." These people get to use the service at no cost and will have early access to new features, said Brooke Richardson, a lead product manager at Microsoft.

The testers will receive beta software, which could have glitches, Richardson said. However, Microsoft doesn't plan to load code onto PCs that will really break the system, she said. Testers will receive updates to the software a few days before Microsoft plans to release it to the general public, according to Microsoft's beta test Web site, accessible only to testers.

Windows OneCare Live is scheduled to debut in June. It marks Microsoft's entry into the consumer antivirus market, a space previously dominated by specialists such as Symantec, McAfee and Trend Micro.

View: ZDnet Story

(1 reply) #1 Mike Mayer on 26 Apr 2006 - 16:37

And I just uninstalled AVG to participate in this...

The original beta was causing ASP.NET development server to blue screen my computer. Lets hope that doesn't happen anymore.

#1.1 sphbecker on 27 Apr 2006 - 13:46

never had that problem myself.

#2 Unimatrix Xero on 26 Apr 2006 - 16:39

hhe i got one of those

(3 replies) #3 Audhumla on 26 Apr 2006 - 16:40

Very interesting move on MS' part. $50 does seem to be a bit on the pricey side, though, doesn't it?

#3.1 b0m8er on 26 Apr 2006 - 16:42

Quote - Audhumla said @ #3

Considering that it is good for 3PC, I don't think it's pricey.

I got an invite too! Now... if I want to get into beta do I have to reintall it again from link connect ot what

#3.2 sphbecker on 27 Apr 2006 - 13:47

$50 for 3 computer or even $50 for 2 computers isn't bad. But its a bit high if you only have one computer.

#3.3 lbmouse on 27 Apr 2006 - 15:20

Free would be a much better price. This is a product that is fixing their own screw-ups. I want to design a product with inherent flaws, sell it for a profit, and then design a fix and sell that for a profit too. What a rip-off. Next they will probably charge for a product that fixes the holes in OneCare.

#4 Marshalus on 26 Apr 2006 - 16:48

Heh, I got an invite for this. Not sure if I'll use it on my computer. I have SAV Corp from work on my laptop and AVG on my home desktop that work well.

I installed it on my parents computer at their house and it's done good things though.

#5 Indy_Mav on 26 Apr 2006 - 17:04

I was one of the early testers and got an invite to the perpetual beta as well.

#6 mohan_168 on 26 Apr 2006 - 17:24

Me too got an invite

#7 eilegz on 26 Apr 2006 - 17:31

well lets seee if i got my invite

#8 Boxster17 on 26 Apr 2006 - 17:54

Got my invite yesterday, I do like OneCare for some reason but didn't want to shell out the 50 bucks for it, so this will work for now

#9 cyclingplatypus on 26 Apr 2006 - 17:59

I got one of these too...I had some problems with the beta...guess I'll load it up and see if I have better luck.

#10 Orange on 26 Apr 2006 - 18:03

Sorry i will stick with NOD

#11 AgEnTsMiTh on 26 Apr 2006 - 18:05

I got the invite as well. Not sure I am going to partake in it this time around though.

#12 linsook on 26 Apr 2006 - 18:29

is it possible to pass invites around?

(1 reply) #13 StarSabers on 26 Apr 2006 - 18:42

I got the e-mail too.

I've not removed it from the two computers I had it on (sister and parents) and it's still working without payment and all anyway (it said it was up to date as of todays date). Oh well ... I never followed the beta too much. I don't use Antivirus programs very often anyway ... and those on my network don't use file sharing programs (I make sure of it

#13.1 quick on 26 Apr 2006 - 18:46

I signed up for the beta but never installed it. But got the invite mail for the perpetual beta.

But you gave me a good idea, I can put it on my parents' and sister's computers... Cause I don't think im going to use it.

#14 Jugalator on 26 Apr 2006 - 19:11

Hm, I don't think I'll bother with a beta for an important software as this, and since I dislike the idea to pay for critical antivirus tools, I think I'll rather just stick with Avast.

(1 reply) #15 Revenant on 26 Apr 2006 - 19:11

Im active in this one too, but cant seem to download it off of connect or get a key. Wonder why?

#15.1 aristofeles on 26 Apr 2006 - 19:52

Same problem, I was wondering if it was just me.

#16 Alien Spy on 26 Apr 2006 - 19:23

I might have used this if it didn't block Outlook 2003 from getting my mail.

#17 shihchiun on 26 Apr 2006 - 19:29

Haha... so that's what this "perpetual beta" thing is...

Anyone else get a free shirt?

#18 .Logan on 26 Apr 2006 - 19:31

I was selected to be in this perpetual beta. But I don't think I'll join it, I don't really have a use for OneCare.

#19 nacs on 26 Apr 2006 - 19:32

"asking them to join a "perpetual beta.""

I thought all Microsoft products were in a perpetual beta? Does this mean we all get Onecare free?

#20 m-head on 26 Apr 2006 - 19:39

I have AVG Free, it scans my computer for viruses when I need it to...I probably won't go and buy a virus scanner again. AVG doesn't cause me trouble...McAfee caused be grief.

As long as Windows Defender stays free, I'm cool.

#21 BetaguyGZT on 26 Apr 2006 - 20:05

Never had nothing but good results with this and Windows Defender. Got my invite in the mail, and I'm happy to use it. :yes:

#22 macrosslover on 26 Apr 2006 - 20:12

just wanted to let people know with all this talk about WGA and stuff, Best Buy is selling XP Home SP2 Upgrade for $59 with an instant savings of $40. the sales end on the 29th

#23 xxhiroshi21xx on 26 Apr 2006 - 20:19

I got the invite a couple of days ago, I disliked OneCare because it mucked with some games, but I dont really play them anymore and all I have to use is AVG, so I'll give it a go.

#24 MrCobra on 26 Apr 2006 - 20:58

I participated in the beta. Now I won't have to pay for it.

#25 simsie on 26 Apr 2006 - 21:21

i didn't get an email, just the standard one asking me to fork over $20 before end of april or else i have to pay premium

#26 one321 on 26 Apr 2006 - 21:46

I tired OneCare then switched back to Outpost and NOD32. However, now that I got my perpetual invite, I think I'm going to go ahead and use it again. It would just feel wrong not using something that others are having to pay $50 for.

#27 Hottoast on 26 Apr 2006 - 22:08

i got my invite, been testing OneCare from the start and have loved every moment. Onecare is by far the best all-in-one pc care solution IMHO

#28 Broken Halo on 26 Apr 2006 - 23:16

yeah, I got this invite too, it's a little strange so many Neowin readers got invites...
Anyway, I signed in using my password and when it went to download it it gave an error and said that I've already got it installed(which I do so thats not suprising) and that I already had a payed subscription(which I don't and am a bit confused about) so whats the deal is that normal? Do I have the newest Beta version(1.0.0971.12)? Also I thought they were gonna integrate defender with it, what happened to that?

Either way OneCare is a great product and in my opinion well worth the $50 for a 3PC licence, however I feel they should offer cheaper single system licenses though, I switched to this from AVG Pro, got the invite to the beta as my subscription ran out, as long as I can stay in the beta, or it's pretty cheap to renew, I think I'll stick with OC. It's realy showing the extream upturn of quality in MS products as of late, OneCare, the entire Live service, the new Office and from the looks of it Vista(despite the delay that greatly disapointed me! I wanted a Nintendo Revolution, Vista, and Zelda all in one month! Cool toy overload!

#29 FateZero on 27 Apr 2006 - 02:27

I got an invite but No downloads of product Keys. I wonder whats up.

(1 reply) #30 Xerxes on 27 Apr 2006 - 08:49

Slightly off topic, I tried to join the Windows Live OneCare Beta the first time, but didn't get in cause it's not available in Australia

...anyway I got an email from MS saying thanks for been in the beta and for a limited time I can get it for at a reduced price..which was kinda funny since I never techically got in...

#30.1 Adster01 on 27 Apr 2006 - 10:30

Yeah, that sux. We can't get the reduced price cause we are in Australia.

#31 edgarf28 on 27 Apr 2006 - 17:54

I got an invite too...

but no product key....

i can only install the 30 day try...

#32 Chrysalis on 28 Apr 2006 - 07:11

I got an offer to buy for discounted price, but no invite to use for free

#33 Morpheus Phreak on 28 Apr 2006 - 08:23

Guys there are no product keys if you're in the beta anymore.

If you are really in the beta you would read the directions sent telling you where to sign in.

There are no downloads off connect nor any product keys...all I can say is that it is tied to your .NET Passport if you are in the beta.

Read the directions and it will tell you the website you need to go to....all I can divulge is that the url starts with beta.

#34 JustinTime on 29 Apr 2006 - 07:37

If you're really in the Perpetual Beta, post on the newsgroups and we can help you. As Morpheus suggests, go to Connect as some helpful info is there.

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