Devoted to hardware, software, IT issues, and information technology management

Microsoft will complete its entry into the desktop security market next week with the general release of its Windows Live OneCare antivirus software.

OneCare, which also includes backup and PC-tuning software, has been available free in beta form since November, but as of next Thursday customers will be able to purchase the final, supported product, according to sources familiar with Microsoft's plans.

OneCare will cost $49.95 per year, which will cover licenses for as many as three Windows XP PCs. That means "98 percent of homes in the will be able to buy one subscription and be able to cover all of their PCs," Microsoft Group Program Manager Brian Hall said earlier this year.

A spokesperson for Microsoft's public relations agency declined to comment for this story except to confirm the product would be available for purchase from the Web and in retail stores in the next few weeks.

OneCare includes firewall, antivirus, and backup software, as well as Microsoft's Windows Defender antispyware technology. The product also takes care of routine maintenance tasks such as defragmenting the hard disk and cleaning up unused temporary files. Wonder how it does the defragmentation as doing it while someone is playing games slows the PC down.