Windows Live™ OneCare® End of Sale Guidance Page
WHAT IS CHANGING FOR WINDOWS LIVE™ ONECARE®?
Windows Live OneCare is in the process of discontinuing sales in all markets. 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?
The sale of Windows Live OneCare retail boxes was discontinued June 30, 2009. Windows Live OneCare will
be removed from direct online sale October 15, 2009.
HOW LONG CAN I USE MY WINDOWS LIVE ONECARE SUBSCRIPTION?
Current OneCare customers will continue to receive signature updates and
support throughout the duration of their subscriptions to ensure
subscribers remain protected and have ample time to find another
security solution for their PC. However, OneCare will not be updated to
run on Windows 7. Customers moving to Windows 7 will need to move to a new
security solution and
may be eligible for a refund.
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.
If you would like to try Microsoft Security Essentials, it is available in select markets at:
http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/default.aspx.
Microsoft wants to help ensure your PC is protected. If Windows Live OneCare and Microsoft Security Essentials do not
meet your needs, you can learn more about other security software
providers from the
Windows 7,
Windows Vista, and
Windows XP security software providers web pages.
HOW TO ACTIVATE AN EXISTING SUBSCRIPTION OR ADD ADDITIONAL PCS TO AN EXISTING SUBSCRIPTION?
Windows Live OneCare is only available to existing subscribers, who need to either reinstall an existing subscription or
add a PC to their existing OneCare circle. To reinstall an existing OneCare subscription on your PC,
download the trial.
If you have purchased a Windows Live OneCare fully packaged product in a retail store or have purchased a Windows Live OneCare activation token (product key) but have not installed it on or before October 15, 2009, you will not be able to use Windows Live OneCare. In this case,
you may be eligible for a refund.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO MY WINDOWS LIVE ONECARE ONLINE PHOTO BACKUP SUBSCRIPTION? IS THERE A REPLACEMENT SOLUTION FOR ONLINE PHOTO BACKUP?
If you have an existing Windows Live OneCare Online photo backup subscription, you may
continue to enjoy it until July 2010. OneCare will not be retrofitted for
Windows 7, but you will be able to access your online photos for
restore onto your Windows 7-based PCs through the
Windows Live OneCare Restore Tool. There is currently no
replacement solution for Online Photo Backup.
I AM CURRENTLY A WINDOWS LIVE ONECARE TRIAL SUBSCRIBER, CAN I PURCHASE ONECARE?
Windows Live OneCare will be removed from sale October 15, 2009. Therefore, trial
subscribers of Windows Live OneCare who have not purchased OneCare on or before
October 15, 2009 will not be able to purchase Windows Live OneCare.
Get more information on what
other security solutions you can use to remain protected.
I PURCHASED A WINDOWS LIVE ONECARE BOXED PRODUCT OR TOKEN (PRODUCT KEY) FROM A RETAILER A WHILE AGO, BUT HAVE NOT INSTALLED IT YET. CAN I STILL USE ONECARE?
If you have upgraded to Windows 7 or have purchased a Windows Live OneCare boxed product or
Token (product key) from a retailer but have not installed it yet,
you may be eligible for a refund.
I AM UPGRADING TO WINDOWS 7 AND WILL NO LONGER BE ABLE TO USE MY ONECARE SUBSCRIPTION. CAN I GET A REFUND?
If you have upgraded to Windows 7 or have purchased a Windows Live OneCare boxed product or
Token (product key) from a retailer but have not installed it yet,
you may be eligible for a refund.
I AM PLANNING ON UPGRADING TO WINDOWS 7, WHAT SHOULD I DO?
Windows Live OneCare will not be retrofitted for Windows 7 or on Windows XP Mode in Windows 7.
Get more information on what
other security solutions you can use to remain protected.
If you have uninstalled OneCare and would like to recover your OneCare
backup files, you can do so by utilizing the
Windows Live OneCare Backup Restore Tool. If you want to run
security software on Windows XP Mode in Windows 7, we recommend using
Microsoft Security Essentials.
