Despite some early promotion of this feature, Jim allchin, Co-President of Microsoft’s Platform Products and Services Division, said in an interview that although safety and security will be key elements in Windows Vista, there will be no anti-virus protection.

It seems that this os for unspecified business reasons, not technical. The company has been promoting Vista as a landmark improvement in Windows security since its inception.

The Register comments: “Microsoft will sell anti-virus protection to consumers through its OneCare online backup and security service.”