Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware Will Remain Free

**Kr0m** · February 15th, 2005

Bill Gates announced today at a conference in San Fran., that MS's AntiSpyware will remain free (for personal use) even after the Beta period expires.

Since December, Microsoft has rolled out new capabilities to assist customers in combating malicious or unwanted software and removing it from their machines, including the beta version of Windows AntiSpyware. Customers have downloaded more than 6 million copies of Windows AntiSpyware since it became available Jan. 6, 2005. Gates announced the company's plan for making the personal version of the final Windows AntiSpyware software available at no additional charge to licensed Windows customers as part of the Windows value proposition. The offering will offer full functionality to consumers, including the ability to detect and remove spyware, continual protection that helps guard against more than 50 ways that Web sites and programs can put spyware on a PC, and protection against the latest threats through the combined efforts of the SpyNet™ community and Microsoft researchers. For business customers, with more complex infrastructure support, management and deployment needs, Microsoft plans a managed anti-spyware solution that will be available as part of a paid solution.

More info HERE

**NetRyder** · February 15th, 2005

I was really hoping it would remain free. Great news

**perris** · February 15th, 2005

let's just hope it doesn't put the other applications out of bussiness

**LordOfLA** · February 16th, 2005

so when do I get my refund from MS/Giant seeing my subscription was cut short?

**Mastershakes** · February 16th, 2005

Originally Posted by perris

let's just hope it doesn't put the other applications out of bussiness

It would be tough, the best ones out there are free as well

jimi_81 · February 16th, 2005

When I heard Microsoft would be charging a fee for the service I was very disappointed. This is great news. Its good to see they are acting responsibly to protect their customers from their vulnerable products.

**damnyank** · February 16th, 2005

I think that's great!!!

polyglory · February 16th, 2005

Originally Posted by LordOfLA

so when do I get my refund from MS/Giant seeing my subscription was cut short?

Yep I agree, I only had it 2 weeks and Bill got it

**Un4gIvEn1** · February 16th, 2005

Lets keep in mind that when a company sells out to another company, it's not the company that buys them that is screwing you, it's the company that sold out.

**NetRyder** · February 16th, 2005

...and it never works that way. You can forget about a refund.

It's too much of a logistical hassle to get refunds out to every customer who paid. When Google took over Picasa and made it free, there were no refunds either. I guess you can have the satisfaction of supporting a good product that you like, and be thankful that you won't need to renew your subscription/license again.

**NetRyder** · February 17th, 2005

And a beta refresh has been released. News post here:
http://www.osnn.net/comments.php?shownews=11805

polyglory · February 17th, 2005

It would appear I am ok getting updates for Giant, but all the developements are going into this Beta Version.

Question : Do I hangfire until they get to a final version of it, or go to this Beta version. I am usually not happy running Beta versions on the System., though I realise this is a slightly different case.

**Electronic Punk** · February 17th, 2005

Nice1 NetRyder

**NetRyder** · February 17th, 2005

Originally Posted by Electronic Punk

Nice1 NetRyder

Thanks. Looks like OSNN was the first to post the news this time?

Originally Posted by polyglory

It would appear I am ok getting updates for Giant, but all the developements are going into this Beta Version.

Question : Do I hangfire until they get to a final version of it, or go to this Beta version. I am usually not happy running Beta versions on the System., though I realise this is a slightly different case.

As far as stability goes, the beta has been rock solid (I'm referring to the initial build...I only just installed the refresh). I don't know what the difference is between the two versions, to be honest. Since you bought the license, you could possibly contact GIANT support and ask them?

polyglory · February 17th, 2005

Thanks Netryder,

The site says this:

For currently licensed customers of Giant Software, Microsoft will continue to provide the same level of support for the Spam Inspector, Popup Inspector, and Giant AntiSpyware products as offered by Giant Software prior to its acquisition.

However I have filled in a task sheet and will see what happens

**NetRyder** · February 17th, 2005

Actually, this should answer your question

Note to current GIANT AntiSpyware Users
Current GIANT AntiSpyware users with active subscriptions are advised to continue to use their existing software until those subscriptions end. If your subscription to GIANT AntiSpyware has expired, you will need to first uninstall any previous versions of GIANT AntiSpyware before downloading and installing the Windows AntiSpyware (Beta) software.

Apparently, there are also some benefits for customers who paid for a subscription before the takeover:
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/secu...customers.mspx

February 15th, 2005	Top \| #1
Kr0m OSNN Veteran Addict Joined: December 2001 Location: Turtle Island Posts: 1,389 Reputation: 290 Power: 140	Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware Will Remain Free Bill Gates announced today at a conference in San Fran., that MS's AntiSpyware will remain free (for personal use) even after the Beta period expires. Since December, Microsoft has rolled out new capabilities to assist customers in combating malicious or unwanted software and removing it from their machines, including the beta version of Windows AntiSpyware. Customers have downloaded more than 6 million copies of Windows AntiSpyware since it became available Jan. 6, 2005. Gates announced the company's plan for making the personal version of the final Windows AntiSpyware software available at no additional charge to licensed Windows customers as part of the Windows value proposition. The offering will offer full functionality to consumers, including the ability to detect and remove spyware, continual protection that helps guard against more than 50 ways that Web sites and programs can put spyware on a PC, and protection against the latest threats through the combined efforts of the SpyNet™ community and Microsoft researchers. For business customers, with more complex infrastructure support, management and deployment needs, Microsoft plans a managed anti-spyware solution that will be available as part of a paid solution. More info HERE

February 15th, 2005	Top \| #2
NetRyder Tech Junkie Joined: April 2002 Location: New York City Posts: 13,256 Reputation: 4260 Power: 294	Re: Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware Will Remain Free I was really hoping it would remain free. Great news http://kunal.kundaje.net

February 15th, 2005	Top \| #3
perris OSNN Godlike Veteran Joined: January 2002 Location: new york Posts: 12,231 Reputation: 4333 Power: 288	Re: Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware Will Remain Free let's just hope it doesn't put the other applications out of bussiness IT'S NOT WHAT YOU'VE DONE IT'S WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO DO

February 16th, 2005	Top \| #4
LordOfLA Godlike! Joined: February 2004 Location: Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK Posts: 7,015 Blog Entries: 5 Reputation: 4137 Power: 209	Re: Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware Will Remain Free so when do I get my refund from MS/Giant seeing my subscription was cut short? If HK-47 and GLaDOS had a child, the character they create would cause the video game world to overdose on awesome. -sheridanmovieguy: Dragon age forum user.

February 16th, 2005	Top \| #5
Mastershakes OSNN Veteran Addict Joined: July 2004 Location: Montreal Posts: 1,721 Reputation: 1040 Power: 120	Re: Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware Will Remain Free Originally Posted by perris let's just hope it doesn't put the other applications out of bussiness It would be tough, the best ones out there are free as well

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February 16th, 2005	Top \| #6
jimi_81 OSNN Senior Addict Joined: May 2002 Location: Stoney Creek, ON, Canada Posts: 820 Reputation: 500 Power: 132	Re: Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware Will Remain Free When I heard Microsoft would be charging a fee for the service I was very disappointed. This is great news. Its good to see they are acting responsibly to protect their customers from their vulnerable products.

February 16th, 2005	Top \| #7
damnyank I WILL NOT FORGET 911 Joined: March 2002 Location: Petal, Mississippi Posts: 2,354 Reputation: 390 Power: 147	Re: Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware Will Remain Free I think that's great!!!

February 16th, 2005	Top \| #8
polyglory Walkabout Specialist Joined: December 2001 Location: Belgium Posts: 146 Reputation: 20 Power: 125	Re: Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware Will Remain Free Originally Posted by LordOfLA so when do I get my refund from MS/Giant seeing my subscription was cut short? Yep I agree, I only had it 2 weeks and Bill got it Nec Aspera Terrent As you slide down the Banister of Life, may the splinters never point in the wrong direction.

February 16th, 2005	Top \| #9
Un4gIvEn1 OSNN Veteran Addict Joined: February 2004 Posts: 1,084 Reputation: 130 Power: 109	Re: Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware Will Remain Free Lets keep in mind that when a company sells out to another company, it's not the company that buys them that is screwing you, it's the company that sold out. Welcome to a world where the air I breathe is mine Nothing to overwhelm me and nothing to cloud my mind Be anyone, do anything I'd ever want to try Time doesn't exist here - I will never die

February 16th, 2005	Top \| #10
NetRyder Tech Junkie Joined: April 2002 Location: New York City Posts: 13,256 Reputation: 4260 Power: 294	Re: Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware Will Remain Free ...and it never works that way. You can forget about a refund. It's too much of a logistical hassle to get refunds out to every customer who paid. When Google took over Picasa and made it free, there were no refunds either. I guess you can have the satisfaction of supporting a good product that you like, and be thankful that you won't need to renew your subscription/license again. http://kunal.kundaje.net

February 17th, 2005	Top \| #11
NetRyder Tech Junkie Joined: April 2002 Location: New York City Posts: 13,256 Reputation: 4260 Power: 294	Re: Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware Will Remain Free And a beta refresh has been released. News post here: http://www.osnn.net/comments.php?shownews=11805 http://kunal.kundaje.net

February 17th, 2005	Top \| #12
polyglory Walkabout Specialist Joined: December 2001 Location: Belgium Posts: 146 Reputation: 20 Power: 125	Re: Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware Will Remain Free It would appear I am ok getting updates for Giant, but all the developements are going into this Beta Version. Question : Do I hangfire until they get to a final version of it, or go to this Beta version. I am usually not happy running Beta versions on the System., though I realise this is a slightly different case. Nec Aspera Terrent As you slide down the Banister of Life, may the splinters never point in the wrong direction.

February 17th, 2005	Top \| #13
Electronic Punk The Last High Joined: December 2001 Location: London Posts: 18,506 Blog Entries: 51 Reputation: 3652 Power: 346	Re: Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware Will Remain Free Nice1 NetRyder

February 17th, 2005	Top \| #14
NetRyder Tech Junkie Joined: April 2002 Location: New York City Posts: 13,256 Reputation: 4260 Power: 294	Re: Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware Will Remain Free Originally Posted by Electronic Punk Nice1 NetRyder Thanks. Looks like OSNN was the first to post the news this time? Originally Posted by polyglory It would appear I am ok getting updates for Giant, but all the developements are going into this Beta Version. Question : Do I hangfire until they get to a final version of it, or go to this Beta version. I am usually not happy running Beta versions on the System., though I realise this is a slightly different case. As far as stability goes, the beta has been rock solid (I'm referring to the initial build...I only just installed the refresh). I don't know what the difference is between the two versions, to be honest. Since you bought the license, you could possibly contact GIANT support and ask them? http://kunal.kundaje.net

February 17th, 2005	Top \| #15
polyglory Walkabout Specialist Joined: December 2001 Location: Belgium Posts: 146 Reputation: 20 Power: 125	Re: Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware Will Remain Free Thanks Netryder, The site says this: For currently licensed customers of Giant Software, Microsoft will continue to provide the same level of support for the Spam Inspector, Popup Inspector, and Giant AntiSpyware products as offered by Giant Software prior to its acquisition. However I have filled in a task sheet and will see what happens Nec Aspera Terrent As you slide down the Banister of Life, may the splinters never point in the wrong direction.

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February 17th, 2005	Top \| #16
NetRyder Tech Junkie Joined: April 2002 Location: New York City Posts: 13,256 Reputation: 4260 Power: 294	Re: Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware Will Remain Free Actually, this should answer your question Note to current GIANT AntiSpyware Users Current GIANT AntiSpyware users with active subscriptions are advised to continue to use their existing software until those subscriptions end. If your subscription to GIANT AntiSpyware has expired, you will need to first uninstall any previous versions of GIANT AntiSpyware before downloading and installing the Windows AntiSpyware (Beta) software. Apparently, there are also some benefits for customers who paid for a subscription before the takeover: http://www.microsoft.com/athome/secu...customers.mspx http://kunal.kundaje.net