OneCare is Microsoft's first foray into the computer security arena; it is therefore a product that has some good features with some bugs to filter out.

Windows OneCare is an antivirus product that offers a complete security system and it includes a firewall, antispyware, antivirus, backup and restore and a PC tune-up utility.

You have the ability to can pick and choose which files you want to scan. There are no customization features on OneCare but other antivirus products usually have.

Windows Live OneCare also has a component that will perform monthly PC tune-up tasks, including among others:

  • Disk cleanup and defragmentation
  • Full virus scan which is done using the antivirus component in the suite.How to Uninstall Windows OneCare in Vista

Some potential problems with OneCare

Some users have reported, that they have installed the software, but can't seem to get One Care to work properly.

Some report that the One Care firewall cannot be activated and the standard Vista firewall will not activate on boot. Others report that tune-up will not work properly on their computer.

Here is a way you can uninstall Windows OneCare in Vista.

Step 1. Click on your 'Start' button.

Step 2. Click the 'Run'.

Step 3. In the box that appears

  • Type MSCONFIG
  • Press enter -a new window will appear.
  • At the top portion of the new window click startup tab
  • Uncheck all the programs related to OneCare
  • Uncheck every spyware and malware programs

Step 4. Save changes.

  • Click the ok button at the foot of the window

Step 5. Restart your computer.

Check to see if Windows OneCare has been uninstalled.

If after trying the methods above you find that Windows OneCare has not been uninstalled, then try the following method:

Step 1. Click on your 'Start' button.

Step 2. Click the 'Run'.

Step 3. In the box that appears

  • Type SERVICES.MSC
  • Press enter -a new window will appear.
  • Click on the all the services you do not need
  • For each chose service above- click 'stop this service'

You may want to check the Services Guide for Windows Vista to find out what you may and may not disable here.

  • Click ok.

Step 4. Click on your 'Start' button.

  • Click 'Run'
  • Type REGEDIT
  • Press enter

Step 5. At the Registry Editor

  • Click 'edit'
  • Find all words related to OneCare Live
  • Delete all matching keys.

Step 6. Manually delete the OneCare files from your hard drive

Step 7. Restart your computer.

  • Check to see if Windows OneCare has been uninstalled

When working with the registry and especially if you are editing there, it is advised that you create a 'restore point' before you make any changes.