OneCare causing Outlook havoc

Old mailbox deletion bug resurfaces, upsets users

Microsoft's Windows Live OneCare has been the cause of considerable frustration to its users recently, with an issue with the settings for mailbox scanning - removed from earlier versions - reappearing in the current release and leading to quarantining or even deletion of Outlook mailboxes.

OneCare does not scan incoming mail, but when scheduled or on-demand scans find malware in an email attachment stored in the Outlook .pst database, the entire file is placed into quarantine, rendering stored mail and contact information inaccessible. For some users, particularly those using OneCare on their small business machines, the result has been a devastating loss of valuable data. Many who set the product to delete automatically rather than quarantining, or who didn't notice the issue before the quarantine period expired, have found it impossible to recover their email history.

The issue was originally spotted in version 1.0 of the product, and subsequently fixed. With the release of previews of 1.5 in January, however, several users suffered its effects once more. Postings to a OneCare support forum have grown in number and vehemence ever since, with many more hit by the same problem last week.

Forum moderators have advised users to exclude their mailboxes from scanning, and to ensure they keep regular backups out of the reach of the scanner. A full fix for the issue is expected with the next engine update, due tomorrow (Tuesday 13 March). A lengthy debate on the bug, and Microsoft's response to it, can be found here.

12 March 2007

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