Microsoft launches PC repair utility

[Trooper110]

Microsoft Launches PC Advisor Repair Utility. Going After Apple Next? | Maximum PC

Sounds like, as expected, it does exactly nothing...just like every other "repair utility" out there.

[Ghost_Rain]

Microsoft Launches PC Advisor Repair Utility. Going After Apple Next? | Maximum PC

Sounds like, as expected, it does exactly nothing...just like every other "repair utility" out there.

This what I was just Thinking.

[WalkinTarget]

It is there for the end user who knows very little about how to repair the software side of the PC. Anyone ever use Windows Defender ?? I don't even recalling it ever even popping up on any of my PCs.
Does it do anything worthwhile ?? Not for us true hardware geeks. As stated, it doesn't even look for updated drivers. What MS could do to make this stuff useful is have a central repository of 'approved' software and present the user with a viable alternative.

Windows message: User is trying to download and install Mozilla Firefox as the default browser.
Windows Defender: Defender is quarantining the file and removing the download.
PC Advisor Utlity: PC is now running optimally and needs no further input from end user.

[Trooper110]

rofl, WT. Sounds like exactly what MS would like to do

[WalkinTarget]

Yanno Troop, my idea of the centralized depository where users rate the software installations on a number scale and provide a brief synopsis for what each program does is a great idea, especially for the average Joe Schmoe user, but when you start advertising Open Office 3 as a FREE replacement for the MS Office suite, you are not going to get far in the eyes of Microsoft with the overall idea.

They are the ultimate decision maker on these utilities, and they will always err on the side of simplicity for the average users, but they will always flaunt their own tools in digging deeper, when in fact they do NOT provide the best:

Antivirus
Anti-spyware
Microsoft hardware (Sidewinder series ?! meh)

I'd wager many of our users would add Operating System and Office suite to the above list, but at some point they are the best software just because they are used in most offices and schools already.

[mapes]

Yanno Troop, my idea of the centralized depository where users rate the software installations on a number scale and provide a brief synopsis for what each program does is a great idea, especially for the average Joe Schmoe user, but when you start advertising Open Office 3 as a FREE replacement for the MS Office suite, you are not going to get far in the eyes of Microsoft with the overall idea.

They are the ultimate decision maker on these utilities, and they will always err on the side of simplicity for the average users, but they will always flaunt their own tools in digging deeper, when in fact they do NOT provide the best:

Antivirus
Anti-spyware
Microsoft hardware (Sidewinder series ?! meh)



I'd wager many of our users would add Operating System and Office suite to the above list, but at some point they are the best software just because they are used in most offices and schools already.

Just because they have the desktop footprint doesn't mean they're the best software. In fact the opposite is most likely true ...There is no competition and there is no need to compete and create good software.

When it comes to stuff that's not related to the desktop they get they're ass handed to em...For example Apache webserver still kicks IIS's craptastic butt.

[Gimmie2]

Windows message: User is trying to download and install Mozilla Firefox as the default browser.
Windows Defender: Defender is quarantining the file and removing the download.
PC Advisor Utlity: PC is now running optimally and needs no further input from end user.

lol this sounds EXACTLY like something the microsoft would do.

Checking File for Authenticity
Error,"OpenOffice.exe" is not a Microsoft File, removing disallowed software from your computer to prevent system failure.

[WalkinTarget]

mapes, I used MS Live OneCare for about a year, as it was cheap as all get out. $20 for 3 PCs .. but when the time came to renew, the price jumped to $50 and it was judged less than acceptable in its detection rates by myriad online review websites.

Now I'm not the type of guy who even needs an efficient antivirus, I just need something for peace of mind. They tried to get me to renew, but I gave them every reason why I wasn't interested (on top of the fact that I get Sophos from work for free.

It was an OK product in how multi-faceted it was: A/V, built in backup to multiple locations of your choice, ability to quarantine a PC that was not A/V updated from the rest of my network, but at some point the whole thing was replaced by better third party tools that did a better job, even at a higher cost in the end.

That's MS fault .. they don't NEED to design the best stuff, they simply need to make something that carries its name and people will look it over just because of a ginormous marketing push. Most of the people that bring me a PC to repair don't know how to even go about downloading Firefox, but every one of them has it installed once I return their PC to them. And they invariably go back to IE (at least one member of each family) because they don't know any better, even if I warn them.

[mapes]

I guess thats they're business model.....MS has such a large footprint of noncomputer savy people that the just have to make software that's just good enough.