6 months free or not?
Posted by Simon Salvin on 06. Oct 2009 on Internet, PCMany subscribers to Microsoft’s Windows Live Onecare internet security program have been receiving a free 6 month subscription upgrade, more than likely due to the now available Security Essentials which at the time was fast approaching launch and replacing Onecare, however not everyone has received the free 6 month extension with no mention of the change over to the new program, luckily I’ve been contacted on a number of occasions and asked “should I go ahead with the renewal?”. The simple answer is no! If you did receive the subscription extension then you don’t have to do a thing, you’ll be prompted at the end of that period to switch to Security Essentials. Here’s a copy of the email:Dear **********,Your subscription to Windows Live OneCare is scheduled to be automatically renewed to a Free 6 month extension on 28 October 2009. Here is a description of the service: OneCare provides the PC care services you need to stay safe online and keep your home PCs tuned and running smoothly. Because OneCare will be discontinued in late 2010, we are no longer taking renewals. However, since you are a valued OneCare customer, we are extending your subscription for 6 months free of charge. NO ACTION IS REQUIRED. YOUR CREDIT CARD WILL NOT BE CHARGED. You can continue to enjoy the full benefits of OneCare throughout the extended term of your subscription. We will provide information on new options shortly before your subscription expires. Thank you for choosing OneCare. Offer valid in UK only. Please confirm that your account and payment information is up to date.For more information about your subscription, please visit https://billing.microsoft.com If you do not want to renew this subscription, please contact support by visitinghttp://onecare.live.com/supportI am interested to see if proceeding with a renewal would lead you to installing the new program, which is free! I’ll be looking at a PC later in the week with this issue and I’ll report back whether this is the case.Microsoft have now updated the Onecare website with the following statement:Windows Live™ OneCare® End of Sale Guidance Page WHAT IS CHANGING FOR WINDOWS LIVE™ ONECARE®? Windows Live OneCare will begin discontinuing sales in all markets this summer. This page is intended to provide guidance and answer questions for customers as we complete this process. We will continue to update this guidance page as new information becomes available.WHEN WILL ONECARE DISCONTINUE SALES?Sale of Windows Live OneCare retail boxes will be discontinued during the summer season. Windows Live OneCare will be removed from direct online renewal and sale this fall. HOW LONG CAN I USE MY WINDOWS LIVE ONECARE SUBSCRIPTION?OneCare will support all existing customers through the duration of their subscriptions to ensure all subscribers remain protected and have ample time to find another security solution for their PC. OneCare will continue to be updated and supported until at least one year past the last subscription activation date. All OneCare customers will receive support and servicing through the end of their subscriptions. Please note that while Windows Live OneCare anti-virus and anti-malware protection will be continuously updated and all OneCare subscribers will be supported for the life of their subscription. OneCare will not be updated to support Windows 7. WHAT OTHER SECURITY SOLUTIONS ARE THERE?Microsoft announced that it plans to begin offering Microsoft® Security Essentials, a new security anti-malware solution, to consumers in the second half of 2009. The anti-malware solution will provide comprehensive anti-malware protection from threats including viruses, spyware, rootkits, Trojans, and other emerging threats in a single lightweight anti-malware solution. In concert with the ongoing improvements in internet security offered by Windows Vista®, the forthcoming Windows® 7, and Internet Explorer® 8, Microsoft believes that this no-cost service will offer the essential security that consumers need. And by making this available at no charge, we hope to be able to help the estimated 60% of consumers who still do not have up-to-date antimalware protection. If you would like to try Microsoft Security Essentials, the Beta is available now in select markets athttp://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/default.aspx. This page will be updated regularly as new information about the Security Essentials release becomes available. Microsoft wants to ensure your PC is protected. If Windows Live OneCare and Microsoft Security Essentials do not meet your needs, you can learn more about security software providers for Windows here:http://www.microsoft.com/windows/antivirus-partners/windows-7.aspx
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