mini-review: Windows Live Safety Center
Microsoft has a new web site, called the Windows Live Safety Center, found at http://safety.live.com
This site provides some online tools for checking your computer.
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Note: Microsoft is also about to ‘go live’ with a protection suite called OneCare Live (in a beta version), that resides on the users computer and provided full time protection. Essentially, the Windows Live Safety Center, is an online version of this software, although they may not share all the same functions.
This site has some online tools for testing your computer for safety and protection. At the time of this review, Nov. 18, 2005, this site is in ‘Beta test’, described as follows:
Beta is geekspeak for “not finished yet.” A beta product is something we are still working on and want people to test out. We’re asking you to check out Windows Live Safety Center and let us know what you really think—good and bad. That way, we can make the final product the best it can be.
We have tried the tools and found them to work reasonably well. They require the acceptance of an Active-X component. At the en of a scan, you will be asked if you will allow the results to be transmitted to Microsoft. They assure you that the results are anonymous, and transmit no identifying information.
You have the option of testing the following main areas:
Protection
- Malicious Software Scan
- Open Ports Scan
- Computer Information
Cleanup
- Scans for temporary files and other files that may be deleted.
Tuneup
- Scans for fragmented hard drives and offers to defragment them for you.
Community resources:
Tap into a community of other people and experts for help with your PC health issues.
We suggest that you start with reading the FAQ.
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Our mini review:
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The ‘Protection’ scan tool quite some time to run on our overcrowded system, but we were able to keep working while it completed. (Although, I doubt you should try any CPU intensive tasks while it runs).
The ‘Clean up’ scan ran reasonable fast, and found about 2 GB of useless temporary files. (Of course, there is plethora of tools available to do this.)
The ‘Tune up’ scan also ran relatively quickly and gave a report on drive fragmentation, and then offered to defragment them. We didn’t take them up on their offer because we use Raxco PerfectDisk, and have been very happy with the results.
The ‘Full Service” scan: Does it all in one fell swoop.
All in all, these tools are not all that remarkable, but nevertheless, we applaud Microsoft’s efforts to help consumers with their computers. And even though most of these tools are available elsewhere, I guess my feeling is, what took Microsoft so long?
We have been wondering, along with lots of others, when Microsoft might venture into anti-virus tools, beyond the rather limited scans provided by the ‘Malicious Software Removal Tool’ . Well, now they have an online virus scanner, as part of the ‘Protection’ component. We have also wondered when they might venture into a full fledged two way firewall And evidently they plan to ofer a two way firewall as part of the OnCare Live program.
We give a thumbs up. Give it a try.
