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Code-named "Morro," this streamlined solution will be available in thesecond half of 2009 and will provide comprehensive protection from malwareincluding viruses, spyware, rootkits and trojans. This new solution, to beoffered at no charge to consumers, will be architected for a smaller footprintthat will use fewer computing resources, making it ideal for low-bandwidthscenarios or less powerful PCs. As part of Microsoft's move to focus on thissimplified offering, the company also announced today that it will discontinueretail sales of its Windows Live OneCare subscription service effective June30, 2009.

"Customers around the world have told us that they need comprehensive,ongoing protection from new and existing threats, and we take that concernseriously," said Amy Barzdukas, senior director of product management for theOnline Services and Windows Division at Microsoft. "This new, no-cost offeringwill give us the ability to protect an even greater number of consumers,especially in markets where the growth of new PC purchases is outpaced only bythe growth of malware."

Built on Microsoft's award-winning malware protection engine, "Morro" willtake advantage of the same core anti-malware technology that fuels thecompany's current line of security products, which have received the VB100award from Virus Bulletin, Checkmark Certification from West Coast Labs andcertification from the International Computer Security Association Labs. Thenew solution will deliver the same core protection against malware as thatoffered through Microsoft's enterprise solutions, but will not include many ofthe additional non-security features found in many consumer security suites.

Windows Live OneCare, one of the first all-in-one suites to be launched inthe consumer market, includes a number of non-security features, such asprinter sharing and automated PC tune-up. By shifting to focus on the coreanti-malware features that most consumers still don't keep up to date, "Morro"will be able to provide the essential protections that consumers need withoutoverusing system resources, and will help more consumers have betterprotection against online threats.

"Because uptake of standard anti-malware is low around the world,particularly in developing nations, the availability of basic protection foranyone who wants it is all the more important," said Roger Kay, founder andpresident of Endpoint Technologies Associates. "By offering such basicprotection at no charge to the consumer, Microsoft is promoting a saferenvironment for PCs, service providers and e-commerce itself, since it isthrough unprotected PCs that the worst threats are introduced to the system asa whole."

"Morro" will be available as a stand-alone download and offer malwareprotection for the Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7 operating systems.When used in conjunction with the ongoing security and privacy enhancements ofWindows and Internet Explorer, this new solution will offer consumers arobust, no-cost security solution to help protect against the majority ofonline threats.

Windows Live OneCare will continue to be sold for Windows XP and WindowsVista at retail through June 30, 2009. Direct sales of OneCare will begradually phased out when "Morro" becomes available. Regardless of theirmethod of purchase, Microsoft will ensure that all current customers remainprotected through the life of their subscriptions.

More information is available on the Windows Live OneCare Team Blog athttp://windowsonecare.spaces.live.com.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) is the worldwide leader insoftware, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize theirfull potential.

SOURCE Microsoft Corp.