At just three years after its introduction, Windows Live OneCare is nothing more than a dead antivirus walking. The Redmond company has signed the death sentence of its applauded all-in-one PC-care security solution, as of November 18, 2008. Come June 2009, sales of Windows Live OneCare licenses will be discontinued completely, in a move that Microsoft claims not to be a failure of the product to grab market share, but a strategy designed to deliver a solution focused on core anti-malware protection, which will address a much wider audience, by providing the ultimate incentive, the absence of a price tag. Starting with mid-2009, Microsoft will replace Windows Live OneCare with a new security product, code-named Morro.

“Current Windows Live OneCare subscribers won’t notice any changes and there is no action needed. We will continue to support all of our subscribers for the terms of their subscription, and help ensure their PCs are protected and up to date. Once the new offering is available, existing Windows Live OneCare subscribers will be given the option to migrate, or to choose a different security solution from a variety of third-party consumer security providers,” explained Amy Barzdukas, senior director of Product Management.

A member of the Windows Live OneCare team informed that Microsoft would continue to offer support for the dying antivirus until all the subscriptions would expire. At the same time, the promise is that OneCare subscribers will be offered the opportunity to switch to Morro. “Microsoft will ensure all current customers remain protected through the life of their subscriptions,” the OneCare representative said, “You will be given the opportunity to opt in to using our new offering, when the new solution is available.”

Furthermore, Microsoft has ensured that codename Morro will be offered on all the markets where Windows Live OneCare is available today. Users will even be able to continue backing up their digital photos online via OneCare's features, has revealed Microsoft, failing to indicate whether this will be valid indefinitely, or if the service will also be discontinued, like the antivirus.

And with Windows Live OneCare right on the track to becoming nothing more than dead weight in under a year, the company is still recommending that users buy additional licenses. “Having current anti-virus and anti-spyware protection is important. You can renew your Windows Live OneCare subscription until the new solution is available. We will ensure you remain protected through the life of your subscriptions,” the OneCare team representative added.