Hi Manicd,
windows live onecare safety scanner is an optional tool and as such is in the realm of "user-preference".
I don't use it and hadn't read about it until you asked your question.
The utility appears to offer automation of several native Windows features that you probably already use manually from time to time as you deem necessary.
Some users may find this automation to be "convenient".
Since it appears to have a setting for "running in the background" it is offering the ability for the user to have cleanup and scanning take place without need for direct attention, so they can simply carry on with their ordinary computer uses.
Others prefer to have more direct control over how they do basic maintenance on their machine.
Pros:
Seems to provide some sensible information (if the users actually reads the documentation) and automatically performs various system maintenance.
Cons:
It includes a Registry Scanner/Cleaner which purports to remove "invalid" registry entries that "allegedly" slow down system performance. **Caution: Many experts have studied Registry Cleaners for accuracy, completeness, and benefit to machine performance, and have concluded that no presently existing automated Registry Cleaner developed in the past several years has shown to be of benefit and all can easily lead to harm. Automation of Registry Cleaning would have to "know" what software applications and usage patterns millions of owner/users have selected to install. The chances of
windows live onecare safety scanner detecting an entry as "invalid" because it doesn't recognize an application is high. Conversely, if it didn't identify an "unknown entry", then it wouldn't be doing its job to alert or protect the user. Unfortunately, since it is automated it may act to remove wanted/needed items simply because it does not know how to otherwise handle the entry.
Comment:
Many "major players" are trying to get a lock on the "one-click-fix" utility business. (Anti-malware suites and system performance optimizers) This
windows live onecare safety scanner is a part of MSN's effort to organize IM, family photos and shared galleries, file sharing, personalized websites, online file storage, calendars, "spaces" (similar to MySpace?) events, and featured topics, as well as tune up and protect the user's machine.
<– Sound "too good to be true"?
windows live onecare safety scanner and its associated "one-click" online organization/engagement features, may have a nice fire in the fireplace and a welcoming pot of coffee steaming on the stove for you, but its comprehensive automation may be making more decisions for the subscriber than are easily visible.
You are fine with the individual security utilities that you decide to install and run.
If you want additional information about how to keep your machine running safe and in tip-top shape, you can learn about and implement additional features and make your own decisions about what you want running on your machine.
If you decide to use
windows live onecare safety scanner I strongly recommend that you not automate and not use the Registry Cleaning feature.
I best stop now, before I start editorializing about big-brother and the evils of world dominance.
Best Regards
For an interesting and detailed discussion of Registry Cleaners, have a look here:
http://forums.whatthetech.com/index.php?s=…st&p=418272
nice one, and thanks for your help.