Microsoft has long received criticism that Windows is an insecure operating system, and that basic maintenance tasks such as backing up a hard disk are too difficult to accomplish. In that criticism, Microsoft recognized an opportunity, and so it created Microsoft Windows Live OneCare, an all-in-one security and maintenance suite, designed to protect PCs and keep them running in top condition.

OneCare is a reasonably priced, well-integrated security and tune-up solution that will be welcomed by beginning and intermediate PC users. But power users and small businesses may be disappointed because the suite lacks some important features, with a notably weak backup module.

When a task needs to be performed, OneCare tells you what needs to be done, and lets you launch it with a single click. Click image to enlarge.

The best thing about Windows Live OneCare is how well its different applications combine into a single solution, and how well OneCare itself integrates into Windows. OneCare's main control panel replaces Windows XP's normal Security Center. From this one location, you can use and customize all of the suite's features, including anti-virus, anti-spyware, a two-way firewall, computer tune-up, and backup. Because it replaces the Security Center, it acts as if it were a normal part of the operating system.

The alerts built into OneCare are particularly useful. The OneCare icon in the System Tray stays green when no action needs to be taken; turns orange when a task needs to be performed, such as backing up your hard disk; and turns red when a danger is found. Double-click the icon, and OneCare opens and informs you about the task that needs to be performed -- after which you can set it in motion with a single click.

Good And Bad Points
The applications that live inside OneCare are a mixed lot, with some nearly best in class and others underpowered. The firewall is an excellent piece of work, offering two-way port blocking and considerable customizability. The backup application, on the other hand, lacks some basic features, such as the ability to back up to a network drive.

The suite does not include anti-phishing or anti-spam capabilities. (Internet Explorer 7 will include anti-phishing tools, though.) It also lacks privacy tools to let you prevent certain information, such as social security numbers, being sent to a Web site. Considering that competing suites already offer these capabilities, and that upcoming suites from McAfee, Symantec, and Trend Micro will include at least some of them, this is somewhat problematic.

I was surprised to find that Microsoft's anti-spyware application, Windows Defender, isn't included in OneCare, at least for now. You'll have to download it separately, although once you do, it integrates directly into the suite. Windows Defender is still in beta, so it may be that once it comes out of beta it will not have to be downloaded separately.

Windows Defender remains one of the best piece of anti-spyware available, and goes beyond what many competing packages offer, including a tool to let you view all of the software and services currently running on your PC, with detailed information about each. But you don't have to buy OneCare to get Windows Defender -- it's a free download from Microsoft, whether or not you use OneCare.

OneCare's anti-virus software works as promised. It offers real-time protection, automated scans, and background download of virus updates. It doesn't bog down your PC by taking up too much memory or system resources; some competing anti-virus solutions tend to be memory hogs.