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On November 18, 2008, Microsoft announced an update to their product plans for Windows Live OneCare which impacts the following product offerings:
Windows Live OneCare for Server trial included in some versions with Windows Small Business Server 2008
Windows Live OneCare for Server paid subscription service that can be used with Windows Small Business Server 2008
Microsoft announced plans for a new consumer security PC offering, code named “Morro.” As a part of the current product plans, Microsoft will be phasing out the Windows Live OneCare products for both the PC and Server.
In some cases Windows Small Business Server 2008 shipped with a Windows Live OneCare for Server 120-day trial. Microsoft will ensure Windows Live OneCare for Server subscribers will remain protected for the duration of their trials and subscriptions. For market availability detail and additional information on Windows Live OneCare for Server please see the FAQ section on this page
Microsoft will continue to support the 120-day trial for Windows Live OneCare for Server currently offered in SBS 2008. At this time you can also continue to convert from trial to paid subscription service; however, the new consumer security PC offering, code named “Morro” that is being planned for the second half of calendar year 2009 does not currently include plans to support server operating systems. Once “Morro” becomes available you will no longer be able to purchase the Windows Live OneCare for Server subscription service. Microsoft will ensure Windows Live OneCare for Server subscribers will remain protected for the duration of their trials and subscriptions. While no action is required of you at this time (you can continue with the trial and paid subscription offering), we wanted to provide you with the update on the future product plans. For information on other third party solutions, please see the Windows Small Business Server 2008 Supporting Applications list on the Software Solutions Catalog page.
Q. How does Windows Small Business Server 2008 work with Windows Live OneCare for Server?
A.
Windows Small Business Server 2008 provides customers with an option for a 120-day trial subscription (based on market availability) to Windows Live OneCare for Server anti-malware protection, managed within the SBS administration console. After the trial subscription ends, customers can decide to pay to extend the subscription; however, please see FAQs below for market detail and important updates on the continued availability of this trial as product offering from Microsoft has changed.
Q. How is Windows Live OneCare for Server different from the current Windows Live OneCare subscription service offered for the PC?
Windows Live OneCare for Server (based on market availability) is designed to work in a small business server environment to provide anti-malware and security services to help protect and maintain the server. The current Windows Live OneCare subscription service is designed to provide holistic PC care services that cover security, performance, and data backup for consumer or small business PCs that do not have a server in the environment. Please see FAQs below for market detail and important updates on continued availability of this trial.
Q. I recently heard that Windows Live OneCare for Server is being phased out by Microsoft. How does this impact Windows Small Business Server 2008?
Microsoft will continue to support the 120-day trial for Windows Live OneCare for Server offered in Windows SBS 2008 (please see FAQ below for listing of languages and markets). At this time you can also continue to convert from the trial to the paid subscription service; however, the new consumer security PC offering, code named “Morro” that is being planned for the second half of calendar year 2009 does not currently include plans to support server operating systems. Once “Morro” becomes available you will no longer be able to purchase the Windows Live OneCare for Server subscription service.
Microsoft will ensure Windows Live OneCare for Server subscribers will remain protected for the duration of their trials and subscriptions. For information on other third party solutions, please see the Windows Small Business Server 2008 Supporting Applications list at http://www.microsoft.com/sbs/en/us/software-solutions.aspx.
Q. Didn’t you announce at the Windows Small Business Server 2008 beta that Windows Live OneCare for Server would be offered as a trial on Windows SBS 2008?
Yes, we did, and in some cases Windows Small Business Server 2008 will ship with a Windows Live OneCare for Server trial (please see FAQ below for listing of languages and markets). This announcement does not affect the trial at this time. Microsoft will continue to support the 120-day trial offered for Windows Live OneCare for Server currently offered in Windows SBS 2008.
Microsoft will ensure Windows Live OneCare for Server subscribers will remain protected for the duration of their trials and subscriptions.
Q. Which markets (languages) received the trial as part of Windows Small Business Server 2008?
Windows Live OneCare for Server is available in the following markets (languages): Australia (English), Austria (German), Belgium (Dutch, French), Brazil (Portuguese), Canada (English, French), France (French), Germany (German), Hong Kong (English), Ireland (English), India (English), Italy (Italian), Japan (Japanese), Mexico (Spanish), Netherlands (Dutch), New Zealand (English), Singapore (English), Spain (Spanish), Switzerland (French, German), United Kingdom (English), United States (English, Spanish).
Q. How come my market (language) is listed as having the Windows Live OneCare for Server trial but I do not see it with the SBS 2008 product?
Ultimately, it was up to the IT Provider, (IT Provider could be an Original Equipment Manufacturer, such as Dell or HP, or a local IT provider that you work with to provide your IT services) to decide whether or not to include the trial. The IT provider setting the software for you may or may not have included it in the installation.
Q. I have all ready deployed Windows SBS 2008, what does Microsoft recommend I do? Should I install the Windows Live OneCare for Server trial if available to me (see FAQ above for market availability)?
Microsoft will continue to support the 120-day trial offered for Windows Live OneCare for Server offered in Windows SBS 2008 (please see FAQ below for listing of languages and markets). At this time you can also continue to convert from the trial to the paid subscription service; however, the new consumer security PC offering, code named “Morro” that is being planned for the second half of calendar year 2009, currently does not include plans to support server operating systems. Once “Morro” becomes available you will no longer be able to purchase the Windows Live OneCare for Server subscription service. Microsoft will ensure Windows Live OneCare for Server subscribers will remain protected for the duration of their trials and subscriptions. For information on other third party solutions, please see the Windows Small Business Server 2008 Supporting Applications list at http://www.microsoft.com/sbs/en/us/software-solutions.aspx.
Q. I purchased Windows SBS 2008 but have not deployed the software yet, what does Microsoft recommend I do? Should I install the Windows Live OneCare for Server trial if it is available to me (see FAQ above for market availability)?
As the new consumer security PC offering, code named “Morro” that is being planned for the second half of calendar year 2009, currently does not include plans to support server operating systems, we do not recommend moving forward with the trial and/or subscription for Windows Live OneCare for Server. Once “Morro” becomes available you will no longer be able to purchase the Windows Live OneCare for Server subscription service. However, if you have deployed the trial or purchased the subscription, Microsoft will ensure Windows Live OneCare for Server subscribers will remain protected for the duration of their trials and subscriptions. For information on other third party solutions, please see the Windows Small Business Server 2008 Supporting Applications list at http://www.microsoft.com/sbs/en/us/software-solutions.aspx.
If you are an IT Provider, please note that OEMs and System Builders have always had the ability and option to remove the Windows Live OneCare for Server 120-day trial in the Small Business Server OPK (the OPK is an OEM pre-installation kit giving the System Builders the ability to install the software customized to their configuration details). If convenient, remove the Windows Live OneCare for Server trial software. Instructions on how to do this are already provided in the OEM Pre-installation Kit (OPK).
Q. Will I still have security protection in Windows Small Business Server 2008 without the Windows Live OneCare for Server software?
Yes, Windows Live OneCare for Server provided the last layer of security, behind all of the other layers that still exist today. Windows SBS 2008 builds on Microsoft best practices and still integrates anti-virus protection and anti-spam technologies to help protect business information and intellectual property from malicious attacks, viruses and spam. There are a number of other layers in place to help prevent infection on the server, even without the use of Windows Live OneCare for Server. Those layers include:
120-day trial for Microsoft Forefront Security for Exchange Server (see http://www.microsoft.com/sbs/en/us/editions-overview.aspx for market availability), is designed to prevent the entrance of viruses into the company via email (the most popular method of virus entry into a network)
Out of the box configuration for the server’s Windows Firewall which is enabled on the server to help keep viruses that enter the LAN out of the server. A minimalistic approach has been taken with the firewall, only to allow access for the feature sets that make Windows SBS 2008 the product it is.
Out of the box configuration for Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) automatic patching that will automatically patch exploits as quickly as possible on both the server and client computers joined to the network.
Properly defined and in place Access Control List’s (ACL) and security that is engineered to prevent users from passing data between each other’s private files and the server operating system, helping keep the server virus free, even if clients do get infected.
Having a separate Domain Admin account that is not used on a daily basis, separates access to the server system from the clients through domain policies.
Windows Defender on all newer client PCs that is designed to remove unwanted programs, viruses etc, from running on the client, helping prevent the spread of anything to the server.
As a last resort, built in back-up solutions help protect the server with a speedy (USB 2.0) recovery should the server become infected. The Administrator can roll the server back in time to a point prior to the virus entry to the system and prevent the access of the virus to the clean system.
Q. What will happen if I use the trial? Can I still purchase the paid subscription? I previously heard I could only purchase the subscription service until June 30, 2009?
Yes, you are still able to run the 120-day trial and convert to a paid subscription at this time. Microsoft will ensure Windows Live OneCare for Server subscribers will remain protected for the duration of their trials and subscriptions.
It is the Windows Live OneCare product offered for PCs, not Servers, that will no longer be sold at retail locations beginning June 30, 2009. Windows Live OneCare for Server subscription service can still be purchased online through Microsoft (please see FAQ above for listing of languages and markets). However, the new consumer security PC offering, code named “Morro” that is being planned for the second half of calendar year 2009 will not support server operating systems. Once “Morro” becomes available you will no longer be able to purchase the Windows Live OneCare for Server subscription service. As more details on the timing of “Morro” become available in the future, we will keep our FAQs updated with new information.
Q. If I have technical questions about this change, where can I get additional information?
Go to the Technical FAQ located on the Microsoft TechNet Center.
