Microsoft to dump OneCare subscription model

Microsoft’s Windows Live OneCare service never really received good reviews despite being one of the first entrants in to the retail Windows PC security marketplace with a all-in-one solution. Why not? Many reasons but primarily because it relies on products that are already available for free and does not work well with third-party programs.

Things could change for Microsoft with the introduction of “Morro” - a free solution that Microsoft describes as “comprehensive protection from malware including viruses, spyware, rootkits and trojans…will be architected for a smaller footprint that will use fewer computing resources, making it ideal for low-bandwidth scenarios or less powerful PCs”. “Morro” would be available in the second half of 2009; Windows Live OneCare subscription service will be discontinued effective June 30, 2009.

According to Microsoft’s official press release:

“Customers around the world have told us that they need comprehensive, ongoing protection from new and existing threats, and we take that concern seriously,” said Amy Barzdukas, senior director of product management for the Online Services and Windows Division at Microsoft. “This new, no-cost offering will give us the ability to protect an even greater number of consumers, especially in markets where the growth of new PC purchases is outpaced only by the growth of malware.”

It would be interesting to see how Symantec and McAfee respond to this move by Microsoft.