OEM VS Third-party software (MS-branded vs non-MS)

Before MSE came out I had hypothesized that because it was in Microsoft's best interest to make an AV solution that does not cause noticeable problems that are apparent to the end-user (and which get blamed on the os, not the AV) and that they have access to private API's, MSE would be the best AV solution out there for the general public. And now it seems to be that my hypothesis is correct.
That being said, I'm wondering if this hypothesis could be extended to other software written by MS (excluding IE of course) in terms that the general end users prefer it to other third-party programs (WMP vs iTunes, Live messenger vs yahoo! messenger, eta). what are your experiences?

LOL. MS are using the cradle to grave concept to envelop end users in "free" products, in preparation for the great game ahead. The biggest money spinner of all time. It makes business sense.

I don't use much MS add on software, but MSE works well for me.

No, there is no guarantee that if MS writes the app it will be any better than 3rd party stuff.

I did not vote, the poll is not really a good one, apps need to be compared singularly rather than as a whole, to say MS is better than 3rd party or the reverse, is not a good poll. Its non specific and too broad.

My experience w/MS software by and large is:

They're usually late to the party and when they arrive, cumbersome. MS's version of imaging is a good example - got really annoyed with it, never used it again.


Hello IceFire,

Wondering how you arrive at MSE being the "best"? Not knocking it all - it is very good judging by test results and comments here. But the best - not yet.

Johnson said:

Wondering how you arrive at MSE being the "best"? Not knocking it all - it is very good judging by test results and comments here. But the best - not yet.

Mostly because MS has no use to bombard the user with advertisements, make an UI that clashes with the rest of the system, or use a scanning engine that takes down the entire system speedwise.
in other words, the factors noticed the most by the average user.

I can see that MS has been writing bad software for the longest time, but right now they appear to be starting a renaissance of sorts (the live suite appears to be mostly been rewritten and Live Writer is considered the best free blogger application) where software is slowly being re-optimized and having crappy legacy code cut out. yes, IE and WMP are still pretty bad in ways, but as time goes on they will become better. assuming that I'm correct in thinking that MS is actually starting to realize that writing good code may actually be a good thing.