The service also provides a virus database, information about online threats, and general computer security documentation and tools. The quick scan is faster than the full scan, hence that appellation.

The 'Quick Scan' only scans for viruses, only on specific areas on the computer. The 'Full Scan' scans for viruses (comprehensive scan or quick scan), hard disk performance (Disk fragmentation scan and/or Desk cleanup scan) and network safety (open port scan). The user can choose between a 'Full Scan' (which can be customized) or a 'Quick Scan'. It searches and removes viruses, improves a computer's performance, and removes unnecessary clutter on the PC's hard disk.

The 'Full Service Scan' looks for common PC health issues such as viruses, temporary files, and open network ports. The Windows Live OneCare Safety Scanner must be downloaded and installed to your computer to scan your computer. Windows Live OneCare Safety Scanner offered a free online scanning and protection from threats. The service was officially discontinued on Apand replaced with Microsoft Safety Scanner. However, Windows Live OneCare Safety Scanner, under the same branding as Windows Live OneCare, was not discontinued during that time. On November 18, 2008, Microsoft announced the discontinuation of Windows Live OneCare, offering users a new free anti-malware suite Microsoft Security Essentials, which had been available since the second half of 2009. It was a free web service that was part of Windows Live. Windows Live OneCare Safety Scanner (formerly Windows Live Safety Center and codenamed Vegas) was an online scanning, PC cleanup, and diagnosis service to help remove of viruses, spyware/ adware, and other malware. Windows 2000 Windows XP Windows Server 2003 Windows Vista

Windows live onecare safety scanner