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Consumer Affairs


Microsoft


Consumer Complaints & Reviews

There's never a shortage of consumers, like those below, upset with Microsoft's software. Not to mention those who bought the Xbox or Zune.

Calls from a Microsoft Certified Partner saying you told them that I was having error messages and that my computer has a virus. First, the person had a very strong accent and I could barely understand him and second, there was so much noise in the background that it was impossible to understand to I took his number 914-373-7861 to call him back. When I looked up the number it belonged to a company called The Windows Care, certified partner of Microsoft was front and center on their website alright - but I wanted to confirm that they have not shared any of my or my computer's data with these people. I want the executive level of their company to hear my complaint. I'm sure they understand, even if I assume Microsoft had no part in this, how badly this reflects on them.

Java was not working and PC Pro Cleaner wanted me to sign up. I was not happy with the results. They would not accept my registration so I tried to uninstall. It would not work and now I am constantly bombarded with their pop-ups.

Vista was horrible. It came with an awesome gaming system, and turned it into one of the slowest systems in the market. It took two hours to copy a few images. I called their tech support, and that had to be the most frustrating experience ever. Microsoft can't afford to put people on the phone, who can actually communicate. Their solution was to format the drive. Apparently, they can't troubleshoot either. I had to install XP to get it to work right.

I waited two years to buy my Xbox 360. I figured that would be long enough for them to work out the issues on an unsuspecting public. It failed within a month. called their support number, and the solution was to replace the unit with a refurbished system.

Regarding my Live Gold account, their price increase was a joke. Everything they offer is free with the PS3. They give you access to a few free programs, and they charge you $10.00 more. It's absurd!

Microsoft has nothing to offer. A windows upgrade, is fixing bugs from previous versions of Windows. They are basically selling you a patch for the last **. I'll be glad when they are gone. Perhaps then, our economy will recover, and we won't have to worry about them buying out the competition. I suppose if they didn't, they wouldn't sell anything.

I am thoroughly upset. I have twice, needlessly I have learned, purchased your software Streets and Trips. The last one I bought was in 2010 but said 2009. I have two computers. Tried to put it on the laptop I use when I travel. I could not. I tried and spent a few hours trying to get help from your software number. The end result was that they don't provide that service for 2009 software.

What I don't understand is being able to only install on one of my computers. I paid for this software. Whenever I go to activate it says I have invalid product key numbers or have mistyped, which I have checked and double checked. I certainly do not feel that I want to buy another one of these nor do I feel compelled to purchase any Microsoft software at this time.

He has not spoken of any cost at all. At the end of his spiel he told me the bad news: $129.00 for a year or $199.00 forever for any amount of computers I have now or in the future. After first agreeing to the $128 I changed my mind for the lifetime plan. Well, he or someone repaired my computer then let me know they were done. The next day I could not access the internet and called Gtech back. The conversation went something like this. I told him my problem and he said I had to talk to my internet company. I said I had no problem until he worked on it. He said to contact my internet company. I said I am trying to find out what you did to cause this and have you fix it. He said I had to contact the internet company and spoke so fast and rapidly and would not listen to what I had to say.

I ended up telling him to shut up so I could talk and he kept on talking down to me. I tried to let him know that we were not understanding one another and finally at wits end I called him a big mouth, to which he got really mad and said a few things. I asked for his supervisor and he hung up on me. I called him back and he hung up again. I am sure he is an efficient worker but that is not enough. Customers are still who finance payrolls. But I so feel bad for the shut up and big mouth remark. I was trying to get him to be quiet, quit talking down to me and listen to what I had to say. I have not had much communication with Microsoft so I guess he is not the model employee. If he is, please let me know. Otherwise, I see this as an inside issue for you to deal with as you see fit. All I really wanted to know was if it was Microsoft who caused the problem. If so an apology was in order. Or should I have been told I may have a problem connecting to the internet and I should contact my internet provider?

After an email or more back and forth I received another asking that I get my computer working so they could download information to it. How could I send them emails if the internet was still down? I hope this conversation was recorded so you can listen to the original conversation. By the way I did not receive any apologies or a call after sending a similar message to them. Also, they sent me emails charging me $129 and another $199. I had to email them to get this understood. I received an email from PayPal that ** was charging my account $199. I didn't know and even now do notare they with Gtech and Microsoft? Too much confusion. Too much talking and not enough listening and constructive input will always cause unnecessary problems and bad will. Well, I have spent too much time on this now, having rambled on and on and need to go on to other things. Have a nice day.

My family account was hacked right after labor day last year. In order to investigate, they locked my account for well past their required investigation time of 21 days. I had a prepaid family account that could not be used due to their investigation. Anyway, to make a very long and never ending story short, I had to cancel my family account which was paid up until May of this year because when their investigation was completed (supposedly), the hackers accounts were recovered as well and they still had access to my account. Xbox swears they refunded me $124 but it never showed up in my account. My bank required transaction ID numbers in order to go any further.

Weeks later, this guy from Xbox gives me two different ID numbers and that the money was deposited to my account in August 30th. This guy outright lied to me. First of all, there can't be two separate transaction ID numbers because it was only one amount. Also, my account wasn't hacked until after labor day. They still have money that is owed to me for unused family account memberships and they have lied to me telling me that they refunded $124 when in fact they never did. I'm sick and tired of dealing with this company and getting nowhere. This guy from Xbox is playing me for a fool and I don't know where else to turn to. All I know is they have my hard earned money and refuse to refund it to me.

Microsoft has terminated MSN Direct service that provided a variety of real-time data services to millions of products throughout the US. I owned a $70 weather station from Oregon Scientific which utilized these services, thus I was unaware that the device was dependent on MDN Direct.

Because Microsoft turned off the MSN Direct Service, my $70 weather station is now useless garbage that requires special disposal to prevent harm to the environment. This should not have been allowed to happen without due compensation to affected customers, whose costly electronic equipment has been rendered completely useless, as if stolen or destroyed.

I purchased Windows 7 Professional operating system and verified it three times. Now, they have locked my computer saying that I have a stolen software. This is their attempt to steal more money from people using the software. It is not only unethical, it is also a form of theft. I will now become an advocate against Microsoft for life. The company started out as thieves and continue to be as such. They should be closed permanently.

I was tricked into buying your Microsoft-certified partner "SpeedyPC Pro." They said on the phone it would be $9.95, only to have my credit card charged $39.95. When I talked to the technician that same day, he said I would be credited back $30.00. It's been over a month now, and I have yet to get the credit back. I tried calling them, only to get a runaround. Can you please help me?

My Hotmail account has been locked out since the 13th of December. I put in my cell phone number as stated to unlock my account. As of December 28, I am still waiting for the code to unlock my email account. I called the Microsoft help desk, I just got the phone with someone from India. Said I need to pay to unlock my Hotmail account. I have to give this guy my credit card number? Really. With all the fraud going on, this is Microsoft customer service?

It is outrageous that MS has eliminated XP and prior programs from W7. A sure class action lawsuit! I can't use older programs without paying the extortion of the W7 upgrade cost of $200.

Someone took my Xbox 360 profile and is spending my Microsoft points. And every time I sign in, they sign in and kick me off.

To make the long story short, the company I bought a 12-month membership from, is refusing to help me, or refund me, after buying this card. The card is not good, so they say. On the second to the last call, they said they would help me, if I just pay $9.99 on a credit card, and they would fix the membership card. The problem with that is, I did not have one with me. I had to go back home to get it, and had to call back again. After calling back again, and them charging my credit card for $9.99, they said they could not do anything, and that the card was being used by someone else. That's when I have had enough. I just want what I paid for, a new card, or some kind of credit.

Why didn't office come with Windows 7? People like me who go to school buy computers with Microsoft windows inside them just for that purpose. It takes everything ordinary for people have just to be able to afford a computer, but now we have to purchase office to go with it. My last computer came with office; if I knew how to wipe this hard drive clean, I'd go back to using XP. At least it had what I needed to get the job done. I'm not so compatible program like openoffice.com. I was not able to create and get resumes and get papers done. Talk about a real disappointment, especially when the times are so tough for everyone.

After having Windows 7 for one year, my sound went off. No, it's not my speakers. I tried everything to get it going again. I guess I will have to pay a technician to fix it. I was trying to get a troubleshooting help from Microsoft, but it was a big joke. Prior to Windows 7, I had Vista. That was a nightmare. I can't afford it right now, but Mac will be my next purchase. No more Windows for me.

I got a call this morning from Kevin ** saying he is calling from the Microsoft office in Zurich. He said they have been seeing a lot of error messages from my computer, and they were concerned that my computer has been affected by viruses. I was a little taken aback. In last more than sixteen years of using this operating system, I have never received such a call despite having numerous systems. He then asked me to log on, so that he could show how corrupted some of my files could be. In the middle of it, he transferred the phone to his colleague, Jean. I am a little concerned as to whether this is an authentic call from Microsoft office or a scam.

It was difficult to convince them that I'll call them later when my hubby is around (him being technically sound in the family). They gave me their contact number, and it is +41335333224. I called this number, and the person at the other end said that these people were the agents of Microsoft, and I would have got this call since my system would have downloaded corrupt files from the web/Internet, which even the anti-virus cannot detect. If you could get back on this, it will help.

My Hotmail got hacked and it sent out spam to my contacts. Microsoft decides to block me from using my account. They should have just blocked outgoing emails until the problem got resolved. They have no contact number and I can`t check my emails. I guess I need a new Gmail or Yahoo email account to see if I can recover my Hotmail account. I'm not sure I want to deal with Microsoft anymore. They make me feel like I'm the bad guy for getting hacked. Microsoft OS, Microsoft security updates, and Microsoft Hotmail, but I'm the bad guy for getting hacked?

I called over a month ago on an issue. I had the same technician work on my system for over 6 hours in a matter of a week. I was told another "level" would help me instead. I went to a supervisor, and the supervisor on Tuesday this week stated they would call me on Saturday at 10 to resolve issue. No call ever came in. I have also contacted the BBB.

This morning as I went to check my email, Microsoft took over my computer and proceeded to run "updates" I neither wanted nor requested. I could not stop the process once it started and I had no warning it was going to start.

I waited 30 minutes and had to leave without checking my email. It is my computer, bought and paid for by me, so what right do they have to interfere with my use of it?

I have not been getting the automatic updates and everyone says how dangerous that is that that you can get viruses, etc. So, I was having multiple error messages.

I contacted the first representative via the Internet and then we talked on the phone. When he took control of my computer and did some things, it crashed. He could not call me back because I just moved here and have a MagicJack that is connected to the computer. He told me that if we lost contact, he would email me. He finally did and then called about two weeks later.

Meanwhile, I am unemployed and so is my boyfriend. Our only means of communication is through the computer and with the phone and job searching and getting out resumes. I then contacted Joyce, the second person I mentioned. She then suggested some things. One of them downloaded an update that then deleted a major business application of mine. I just now figured it out. The problem was never fixed.

I purchased an windows 7 upgrade to upgrade from Vista. Months latter, i receive an update message for SP1. I installed the update and after booting up, i receive an error C0000034 message and latter it changes to fatal error with same number.

This morning as I was working at my brand-new computer and it suddenly shutdown and re-started for a Windows 7 update. I cannot find any kind of options on this computer or online to prevent this sort of thing from happening again.

When I went to the Microsoft website for answers, I had to jump through a bunch of hoops merely to ask the question "Windows updates automatically shut down and restart my computer." Then the Web page dropped out! When I went back to it, it was a different page which referred me to a Microsoft e-mail site where I could get the answer I needed -- for "only" $49.95!

I am beyond words to state how displeased I am with Microsoft. This is not acceptable to me.

This is a brand-new computer and I just established it online, a few days ago. For the record, I am going to take this computer to the Apple Store in Columbus, Ohio next time I'm there and ask if they can install a Mac OS on it.

I was one of the first to install Windows 7. There now and have been more bugs than bed bugs at a cheap flop house. It will be the last Windows I ever install. One has to wonder how long this nonsense will continue. Their email is the worst. I`m trying to wean myself off and use gmail when at all possible.

I up graded from Window XP to Vista Ultimate install all drivers. First I started getting thin lines, first two then four, now I have 10. I even went online to get help. I was told to roll back my drivers. It didn't work. As a matter of fact, I received more lines. Thank you.

I spent 220 pounds on buying Windows Vista which is an absolute load of ** compared to XP. Within 7 months of me buying that Microsoft realize that it's ** and release Windows 7. Now unlike the thieves in America who think anyone can and will get this upgrade I cannot as money is short.

Windows Vista operating system allows downloads and installs without my knowledge or permission, causing, in some cases, months of research and reports lost. Eventually, my $1200 laptop, in the middle of an important international conference, crashed. I lost all my research and college assignments that I had been working on.

I was able to later buy a cheaper model laptop which has features which interfere with my scroll controlling. I have recently encountered a problem with files and folders I no longer wanted, and they keep reappearing on my flash drive, as well as these strange characters in a box with "OK". It is slowing my work progress by half. I am not at the address stated as I am in Ecuador completing my degree and interning as a counseling psychologist.

I recently purchased a Toshiba laptop with Microsoft Vista. What the **! Microsoft did one of its continual "updates" that totally disabled my word processor. So I went to Microsoft Office to create documents, etc. That worked for a while. But now Microsoft has locked Office on my computer, announcing that I must "purchase" something or other to have it unlocked. I have no idea what in ** I have to purchase to use Office and haven't been able to find out from Microsoft. But I'm sure it will be costly, whatever it is. There really needs to be a rebellion against this monopolistic tyrant but who'll do it since all the politicians seem to be in the pockets of all these ** mega-corporations. Thanks to Microsoft, my computer is virtually unusable. This is what I paid good money for?

I have a HP laptop with Vista. What a piece of garbage. I forever have to wait to use my computer. This has to be the slowest operating system I have ever seen. I can watch my hair grow while I am waiting for it to start and when I turn it off that is a whole other story. I can use it as a night light, and have, waiting for updates. Come on now, eight updates one week and 11 the next. What is that? One of my favorite things to do when I finally get on the computer is to listen to music. I even have to wait for this. There are times when I have to turn the computer off manually and restart it for the program to work. No other business would get away with selling such a defective product.

Saturday morning, I contacted Microsoft because I received an error message that their .Netframe 3.5 SP 1 has an error. I chatted online with someone named Pearl. She tried (I was attempting to install Turbo Tax on my desktop) but was unsuccessful. She gave me the number of Microsoft support and said they would take over my computer and solve the problem. I had them contact me on my cellular so that I could put the phone on speaker phone.

I gave my credit card number to the manager of Pearl, signed off, waited for the call and the caller said he could not take over my computer. I had the incorrect number. The supervisor of Pearl gave me a confirmation/order number. I called Macy's immediately and was asked to complete this form. No work was completed on my computer. The man who was supposed to take over my computer said it was obsolete and there was nothing he could do.

I bought this HP laptop in Spring, this year. I have had a problem trying to install SP2. The computer is browsing so slowly, that I don't even want to use it. I am very disappointed. The research that I have performed indicates that the only solution is to reinstall windows. I did not receive a CD of windows when I bought it. It was pre-installed. No, I do not think I should buy Windows, when I purchased a computer that had it. What good is the computer without Windows. I need the CD immediately please. Had I known that I would not receive the Windows CD, I would not have switched to HP. No my computer takes up to 5 minutes to boot up.

Microsoft Knows it put put a horrible operating system when the came out with Vista. I have spent alot of money,and I'm disabled, so money is very scarce. I have had to reinstall my opperating sytem 5 times in the last year. Losing data because. The back up wouldnt work right. I have gone through coutless Cd and dvd's The system has a mind of it's own, and when I try to burn a combination of music, It only burns a very small part of the full burn list, leaving me with a partial disk that serves no purpos, but to make me go thru countless cd and dvd discs that cost money, which ultimately go into the garbage.

I am not ignorant on how computors are supposed to work. I know that ultimatly Windows vista is a rip off. I can't afford a new opperating system because I barely get by. But it doesnt seem to matter to big business like micrpsoft. alot of time and money was used to format and reinstall, plus to much money spent on Plan cd-r and dvrs. They dont make it very easy to make personal contact either.

I received a new laptop for Xmas 2008 from my family and unfortunately it came with the MS Vista operating system. I say unfortunate because my daugter has the same on her laptop and she's had nothing but problems w/it since she got it and I had heard too many other detrimental comments from other sources regarding this operating system too. But being a person who's on a very limited income, I could not afford to change the O/S this laptop came with. When the laptop was purchased, knowing of Vista problems and my adversity to the program, my family were told that MS had corrected the problems with the program and that the corrected version of Vista was on the computer so it was bought. BIG mistake that was!

Being somewhat disabled now because of injuries sustained in a car accident, I heavily rely on my computer to pass my days by, I used this laptop learning the ins and outs of this operating system. I had become rather adept w/the MS Vista but still not liking the program, used it to the best of my knowledge until I encountered a problem I could not resolve.

I contacted MS Vista support which were of NO help altogether, continuously being told I have to speak to someone at another number, etc. and absolutely getting no knowledgable answers/wrong directions to overcome the problem I had w/this operating system. Finally I've had to resort to having this laptop looked at by MS Certified repair man, in which I cannot afford in the first place, only to be told that the Vista O/S is one of the bad versions and has to be replaced by another MS O/S and that the Vista O/S is not warrantied (remember-this is a new computer) because it has already been used. MS doesn't warranty software so I will have to pay for a different O/S to be put in at my expense, again wondering where the money's going to come from for this.

The repairman said that MS lost alot of money over this program since releasing it. I fail to see why because in this world of computer reliance now where MS has reigned supreme, they still manage to rip the consumer off leading people on selling unguaranteed products, misinforming customers using supposedly knowledgable techs and forcing people to purchase MS products that are incompatible, ill working and unwanted to correct issues encountered in their products that are already been paid for.

Absolutely disgusted w/product and service therefore will not be recommending MS products to others, strongly deterring the purchase/use of MS products and myself, won't consider MS products in future acquisitions should it ever come about. I'm not up for anymore stress added to what I already deal with nor will I subject myself to wasting anymore money that is hard for me to come by and can be used elsewhere.

Can someone explain to me why microsoft in all it's glory, insist you have their upgrades then when it all goes tragically wrong ( through one of their infamous magic updates ) they don't respond or ignore you. 3 times to contact them via email and on the third occasion their response, go to our help section. What do they think i've been trawling through the past week, readers digest? Now I have no firewall, a very over worked anti virus and no security section. Great going Microsoft, pat on the back there. Next computer definatley Mac.

I bought Vista a year ago and upgraded my home computer. It worked well for 6 months - recently Microsoft has been interfering with my work constantly I love Google products even though I have paid a lot of money to have Microsoft programs. I cannot use my programs like Palm and other attachments - as they are blocked by Windows.

I had been using all the programs up to last month and I cannot use any of my programs as messages appear to upgrade to Internet Explorer, have free Yahoo tool bar, etc. It is really a nuisance - I do not have money to keep calling Windows blocks programs and asks me to get permission on my own computer. I have already spent close to $1000 on this computer, I cannot understand why I need permission to use programs when I own everything on this computer.

the enter does not work, none of my solfware are not work and they all should work with vista, my printer is also not working

I have a computer tech coming to try to fix my computer today, at great expense. At this very minute, MS is downloading more and disguising it as a Foxfire update, which I already have on my computer. These downloads also interfere with my virus program. MS has forcefed what were called security downloads but were Vista, IE7 and IE8, without my permission. This has taken up most of my Hard Drive. They have overridden my NO to automatic updates. These downloads cannot be deleted. If this cannot be repaired, a new computer will be costly. I am very angry at MS, causing this expense and spoiling a computer I was very happy with and ran well.

I was having problems with Windows Security Center telling me that my virus program (Trend Micro Internet Security) was out of date when it was not, as I'd just renewed the program until the year 2010. Windows Security Center, however, would not recongize this and continued to tell me that my program was out of date. I had contacted Trend Micro and they said it was an issue with Microsoft (as I'd already assumed) and told me to contact Microsoft, so I did. The support worker I had gotten was Karen and it seems to me that she is lacking the proper computer skills and was unable to help me troubleshoot my issue, only making things worse. To try and get Windows Security Center telling me the right message, she had me let her take-over my computer via Easy Assist and she would enable and disable programs, and she also then deleted vistasp1 from regedit...which caused a whole slew of NEW problems.

My Trend Micro would no longer load on the taskbar on the lower right hand side of my computer, my network icon was telling me I was disconnected from the internet (when I could load Internet Explorer and remain connected just fine), and a million programs that I had previously disabled many months ago now began loading after each re-start. I would often ask Karen to explain to me what it was she was doing while connected to Easy Assist (for example, when she went into regedit, msconfig, and so on) ... but she IGNORED all of my questions and REFUSED to answer me and tell me what she was doing. I also spoke to Richard, the supervisor, but he was also ZERO help. All in all, Karen was NO help whatsoever and, in the end, extremely rude. I ended up having to do a system restore, myself, and now my laptop is extremely slow upon doing the restore.

It had been extremely stressful for me, having to figure everything out on my own, and at this point an apology is not good enough. I've considered hiring a Lawyer as Microsoft has seemingly ruined my computer - or, at least, made it worse than what it was before.

It seems their technical support agents do NOT know what they are doing and I would like some sort of compensation for the absolute DISGUSTING "support" I have received.

The computer I bought has Vista os and it has caused me a lot of problems, time lost and destroyed my pictures, software and use of the computer. Destroying paid software, crashing my computer, making my scanner fail, causing a $1,000 computer to have many problems. Wasting a lot of my time.


Today On Microsoft Store I tried to order Windows 7 Update for my MS Vista

OS and was told that the preorder expired by 12 hours or less. Why did you not have the expiration date published? Certainly, as a long time MS user I am disappointed. It made no sense to preorder the update at the full price, all because you had failed to notify me of the expiration.

why does nepal dont get register as mobile service provider on the list while registering the form in windos mobile. even we can access our country name over the form. please help me to register as winows mobile. we are out of many facilities of windows.

I know it seems a small thing but every time one goes on Microsoft help site or other, when a new window opens up it is "small" instead of full screen... then when ever one opens a new window it is in the "short" form... it sucks.... Sorry

I purchased a new HP Compaq Presario in June of 2008. Windows Vista was pre-installed on the computer. 2 weeks later when I tried to logon to my computer I got an error message stating the Boot MGR was missing. I called HP and was told I had to re-install Windows Vista from a recovery disk, which I did, losing all my files, folders and programs which weren't pre-installed. To make a long story short, I have re-installed Windows Vista 15 times within a 2 month span. To sum it up, my computer is being accessed remotely by someone? and I have the documentation to prove it.

Every day IF I get to log on, another folder, program, file, device, printer, has been modified and I no longer have permission to access them. I have no audio anymore, I no longer have permission to use my printer, I can't get into My Documents because permission denied. HP's only advice was telling me to quit modifying my files, when I asked them to look at some on my computer. I told them I WASN'T DOING THE MODIFYING, and that was the reason I was calling tech support, someone has the capability now to change my entire operating system. HP tech support told me to quit looking at the errors, reports, corrupted files, warnings that my registy was being tampered with, my anti-virus and spyware error logs, etc. They said my computer was fine.

It is still under warranty, yet HP refuses to help me at all. One tech support told me HP doesn't deal with intruders and unless I had a REAL ISSUE, he had to hang up because he had other customers on hold who had REAL ISSUES, and he hung up on me. Now Microsoft is a little different, they initially told me I had to contact the FBI, which I did, and the person I spoke to and showed documents to, told me he didn't think they would investigate it,because I wasn't a BUSINESS. When I asked him why the FBI are listed on the internet security websites as a contact, he shrugged his shoulders and said he didn't know why.

So I call Microsoft back, and ask them several questions about programs and software packages appearing on my computer. I asked if these sort of things should be on a computer used for personal reasons only. They said no, and that it did sound like someone was accessing my computer. After explaining to them of all the resources I have contacted, what did they suggest? Her answer was this: Microsoft does NOT have a security department for internet intrusion,and there was nothing they could do for me. I told her I had just been on Microsoft's website,and there is a statement about possibly hacking and to contact the Microsoft Security, which I believe they list as MSRA on the web page. She said no, they had nothing like that.

OK, now I'm really mad, but just to humor myself, I ask her what I should do, her reply was for me to go to my local police department and fill out a complaint. I told her she had to be kidding, but she wasn't. I then hung up. Now, I am going to get all my documents, reports, files, logs, errors, and contact all media in my area, maybe someone will be interested in my story as I want to make the public aware of what they can expect should their computer ever be compromised. Unless your a million dollar corporation, a famous sports star, or a celebrity, the average joe gets no support or assistance from anyone.

Because I can't use my printer, set up Windows Mail, access any of my files, log on to any of my websites, no audio sound and 98% of the time, I can't even log on, access denied or you don't have permission. I am so fed up with all of this, especially being told by a machine, that I bought with my own money, and I am the original and only owner of this computer, that I don't have permission to use my own computer. Any help would be so appreciated. I am losing my mind.

Well here we go again, Microsoft Vista and it's automatic updates, April 17th,09. It proceeded to update my system (without my permission I might add) and in the process blew away access to my MS Outlook and MS Office. So I could try to reinstall my Outlook & Office from the original disk (2 years old now) but who knows what sort of impact that will have on my data.

Now I can understand that with each one of it's security updates it may have problems with third party software and hardware on the system, but it is not acceptable that it cause problems with IT'S OWN SOFTWARE such as Outlook & Office Suite that I purchased and am legally using.

My data is very valuable to me and given how difficult to get a hold of (and arrogant) Microsoft is, I can't take any chances, I have called a Technician in to fix this, there is another 100.00 gone. So far I have probably spent close to 800.00 fixing MS's Vista issues. I'm at my wits end on this, I'm switching to Mac in the near future, they are just as arrogant, but their product works.

I have complained about Vista almost since the day I got it. Nothing worked as presented. I wrote to HP to please replace Vista with XL after many requests they told me this was not possible. Trying to cope with errors built into Vista many functions won't work IE...drivers disappear and my control won't open and many other similar things. It is pure junk.

your authenication said Id had a counterfeit ,I bought one for 150.00 It was accepted every time ,now no longer,what is going on? my money--I just want to have my conputer work properly

Using Windows Vista at work, I want Microsoft to help me with a problem (not enough memory to perform this action) for something Windows XP has no problem with. In order to get help I must pay $59 base fee for any kind of help, and they want my credit card info. I have tried all sorts of ways to get help from Microsoft. I write to them and they don't respond. I call them and they have a charge.

First on the net they have give athem all your personal info out to them and then afterwards I get the charge. It is a vicious circle. No matter how small the problem it is $59.00. Why should any of us pay for that. We have two computers in our office and the memory in Windows Vista has nothing to do with my inability to perform the action. It is a special error they planted in there so we can't fix it on our own but have to go to Microsoft. I was also told by another person who uses Windows Vista that they couldn't fix the problem even after they paid for it!

All I wanted to do was select another Word office assistant but couldn't get into the gallery to choose because as noted above, There is not enough memory to perform this action. This occurs only on Vista. Yet to get it fixed I had to go on a blog where everyone has a different way to fix it and they didn't work. It is a scam, as far as I am concerned. Is there a way to get Microsoft to fix what would seem to be a small problem without charging their customers? We paid an arm and a leg to their company for these computers and this is the thanks we get.

It is not physical but it is mental and it would be economic damage. I want to find out what their scam is.


I have a Microsoft spreadsheet that has macros, and this spreadsheet has worked well for several years. Now I have Vista and some maacros do not work. I contacted Microsoft and they say this will cost me $259 to fix.

So it worked on Microsoft's XP system but on the new Vista system it doesn't. Then they want to charge me to fix what they caused. I want to write that here; or is there a berrer place?

Now I will have to hire an Excel programmer to make a special spreadsheet just for Vista users.

Computer crashed memory. Had to increase to run Vista. Lost op. system, had to re-install all software, lost all pics, data, resume

I bought a Microsoft Wireless Mobile Mouse 3000 which is labeled Vista compatible. I found that the Intellisoft software exists for all operating systems except Vista.

I don't have full functionality of a Vista compatible product.

I had windows XP then went without a computer for a year, then in December,08 I bought a new PC with vista basic then I upgraded to vista ultimate I like it a lot but....If i would have thought that ms would have the balls to phase it out so soon with a new os, I would have waited. If you got suckered into the "ultimate" upgrade like me, I was so upset I called microsoft and asked if I was screwed if they would buy back ultimate, he said windows 7 was beta no..what? I will never buy anything from Microsoft again.If you paid for upgrade for vista the should give you the same in w7(premium=w7 premium, ultimate 64=w7 64) am I wrong to think this after paying 220.00 and a month later find out there dropping vista for w7 on new computers? Money may not be a concern for billy,and some others but I don't have the disposable income to but it, I'm stuck

I has windows XP then went without a computer for a year, then in December,08 I bought a new PC with vista basic then I upgraded to vista ultimate I like it a lot but If i would have thought that ms would have the balls to phase it out so soon with a new os, I would have waited. If you got suckered into the ultimate upgrade like me, I was so upset I called microsoft and asked if I was screwed if they would buy back ultimate, he said windows 7 was beta no..what?

I will never buy anything from Microsoft again. If you paid for upgrade for vista the should give you the same in w7(premium=w7 premium, ultimate 64=w7 64) am I wrong to think this after paying 220.00 and a month later find out there dropping vista for w7 on new computers? Money may not be a concern for billy, and some others but I don't have the disposable income to but it, I'm stuck

EMOTIONAL distress

I just want Microsoft to know that of all the windows operating systems that are pre loaded, the vista one is by far the WORSE one .The system will lock up any time--e-mail or explorer or any web site, and you have to log off and reboot.--Waiting for it to correct never happens. I'm stuck with it but don't be praising the VISTA system to me. I will send this e-mail if it doesn't lock up on me.

Microsoft Vista program - basically it [is bad] and I have some glitches with it. It does a [bad] job of basic word processing and cursor jumps around by itself all over the place. I've searched Microsoft websites to see if they have just a plain contact for submitting complaints. Nothing there. All they have are tons of products to sell and subscriptions (for a price of course) to buy for getting technical help on fixing their [bad] programs.

I have had an HP computer for over 6 years with MS Windows XP Home Edition. The machine is old and I wanted to move it to a new laptop. I tried very hard to purchase a disk from Microsoft, then HP, and other sources, even got a disk from someone else and tried my Product Key, but it did not work. In November I was at Sam's Club and bought the Vista Ultimate upgrade. Got home, could not get it to install, called Microsoft, explained my situation and the guy did something from there that allowed me to install and said it was OK. Later my hard drive went bad and I got another under warranty, tried to install again, and the same thing happened as in November. I thought the guy said he fixed it?

Now I call, I'm told I have to have an XP disk for the upgrade, I want to buy one but no one will sell me it to go with my XP Product Key. Now it has been months, I own a Vista upgrade that I cannot use and Microsoft hung up on me, and when I tried to call back it just rings and rings. Can they figure out the number I called from and have their system not answer?? Help. I'm screwed. They should have told me in November that I needed the disk and I would have been glad to bring it back then. Now I have paid a lot of money for a product that I cannot even use. If this is what Microsoft is going to do to anyone, I will be buying Apples and Linux machines from now on. I just wanted my XP on a disk, was willing to pay for it, am not allowed.

Purchased a product that I cannot use. Wasted all my money that I paid and cannot use the product I purchased. If they would have told me this in November it would be OK, but now I cannot return the product and they said in November it was fixed and would be OK.

Decided to try Windows Vista for the trial period. Did not like it so uninstalled. Now have a serious problem with Windows installer.The only way to resolve problem is to re-install Wn Vista.

This seems to be a surreptitious scheme to force people to buy Vista by causing innumerable problems if Visa trial is uninstalled.

Now my Windows XP Word 2003 takes five minutes to load because of the Windows Installer problem error. Running the Wndows2003 office CD does not repair the Vista problem. You would think that a company of this magnitude and stature would be above such low, scheming scams to force people to buy their product out of just pure frustration....not because the product is a good one.

I called Microsoft Vista and demanded that they send me a down grade back to Windows XP Pro. They told me they couldn't do that. They wanted to charge me $380.00 to fix the problem they created. I have paid thousands of dollars for all my computers software, hardware and etc and they want me to pay more for their errors. I don't think so. I will join in on the lawsuit that is going against them now. Why should I have to pay more. There is something totally wrong with that. My computer freezes up all the time. My software and hardware is not compatible with Vista, even though the lables say they are.

I would go out and buy a laptop, if they had XP on them. Besides I can't afford another computer. I have 3 in the house now. One for me, sister and grandchildren. Vista never should have come out in the first place. I was warned, but I trusted them. I guess I should have listened. Now I still have to deal with their very bad product. I wish I knew of someone that could help me. I live on disability and my computer is my work. How can I work and try to take care of myself if the product doesn't work right?

I can't do what I need to do to make a living. I depend on my computers. If they don't work with the programs that are needed to work with, how will I make a living and survive, especially with today's economy. Thanks for listening.

I purchased a laptop to use as our business POS with the insignia vista capable on it. In no way shape or form could this device be called Vista Capable. It was absolutely unusable as a modern computing platform. We were on a budget to set up the hardware, but given the seal of approval I made the purchase decision assuming I could trust the professional opinion of the technology company that produced the software product in question. The purchase was made nearly a month before the store opening and so the computer could not be returned to to the retail store where it was bought. (Best Buy in Fargo, ND)

I was forced into purchasing a retail license of Windows XP and having a computer tech install the software for me on a tight timeline. So in addition to the purchase cost of the original Windows Vista software on the laptop that I could not use, this was another $300 in costs that I had not anticipated that was incurred SPECIFICALLY because the tag vista capable was misleading and inaccurate.

I bought a pc at wal-mart and I also have a sticker with windows vista capable but I am having alot of trouble when I try for updates of windows.

I bought a HP 1410Y, that was to be VISTA compatible, but so far, NOT,,, I think Microsoft was just dreaming, they can say compatible, but u have to invest ore in able to make it so.. I want to be in on the class action suit on this, ..My computer was a year old last NOV.. I do not beleive it is a HP problem, think MICROSOFT is all responsible.

I did not buy any more stuff to amke the VISTA work, so just want Microsoft to PAY UP> no need for an atorney to contact me, they have my info for court documents now.


When I purchased my new Compaq Presario notebook(4/07) it came with Windows Vista Basic installed. My new computer kept freezin up and I couldn't even use it without screens flashing that I was too low on memory. When I asked Microsoft online what I should do, they said to buy more memory because Vista Basic requires a minumum of 512 memory. My notebook comes with only 512 memory!

I ordered more memory from HP and did a system restore, also a disk to reinstall Vista Basic. My notebook still freezes up constantly and I am out $824.91 for my 'dream' computer. Also, there were tons of updates for Vista I had to download.

If you go to their site and look at the forums, you will see that Vista has caused tons of problems for tons o people. I had a desktop computer with Windows XP before and never had these constant problems and security updates.

Alot of money wasted to get the best.

I am on disability and this purchase hs caused my medical problems to worsen

have tried to complain with microsoft corporation but cannot find an adress anywhere on their website all they have is forums. if i wanted to complain to another user of there product i would talk to my friend. I want to complain about there product vista operating system and let them know how rubbish it is. also how i upgraded from xp, a more stable system at cost to me! and now there hiding behind a wall of web pages that lead to nowhere, if you can help it would be very much appreciated

pulling hair out because of microsoft.s poor quality product


I first ran into a problem with Vista on my Gateway 4720-03 that I bought on October 15, 2008 from Best Buy here in Anchorage, Alaska. I had Microsoft tell me by email the Vista copy I had on my computer that was pre installed was not a genuine copy because the certificate was not detected. I emailed them back to get help to no avail. The Windows update went out first, then I could not do a backup at all since that went out also. I emailed Microsoft back for help that did not come.

Then my sql went missing along with my framework and my Security Package 1. The whole time the message said to get ahold of Microsoft for help or they will remove my Vista. I had booted it up the last time that it was on my computer only to see the message that said Windows is now being deleted from my computer. I was told by Gateway that they did not have a say in what happened since it was a Microsoft product. So, after all that I ended up feed up with how I was treated by both companies on my problem. They never did help with it at all.

I ended up putting in Ubuntu 8.10 to get my computer back up and running. Only to have Gateway tell me I voided my warranty by using a different operating system.

I had to find out there is quite a few other people in the same boat. All had the same run around. I ran into a person that said they had to buy a whole new Vista to replace thiers that was deleted the same way. I was not about to pay $250 to replace it.

I am no my third try to upgrade my laptop to Vista Ultimate, I first wrong disk, so I called and hours after working with the chat system, they sent me new disks, then I did them and they broke my new, late 2008 HP, so after lots of fussing, I got back to a free chat line and had them reinstall my DVD, which it broke, and now I have done again and it did not work, they are clearly lying to people!

Lost of work time, still not updated and need it so I can do server and vpn CORRECTLY, THEY JUST ARE GROSSLY OVER SALING SOMETHING.

Windows Vista interrupts, shuts down and makes changes to my programs without my consent. I bought this laptop from DELL in Nov.'07 and Windows came with it. Yesterday, I had written a 2 pg. e-mail to my attorneys and had started on the 3rd page when my computer came up I had lost all of the work that I had put into these e-mails and windows had added some links. I had to start all over again and my attorneys were waiting for my response on a recent case coming up.

WINDOWS IS CONSTANTLY FLASHING WARNINGS! one is that windows has blocked some of your start up programs. I just e-mailed DELL to see how I can get rid of WINDOWS without loosing my programs and personal information. I had to take out an extended warranty with DELL for approx $300, because I was calling them so much concerning the SCREW-UPS of WINDOWS. Also, I pulled up a different site and entered my e-mail address because the e-mail site had been changed, again. It appeared on that screen to find out all about this person for a price, They showed my e-mail address and birthday. Also your e-mail information is not protected or safe. Some recent e-mails to my attorney and his return e-mail have disappeared.

Mental angerish, lost time,flustration and pain from flared ulcer. I have three attorneys, I just want to get rid of Windows without loosing my programs or important information.

i have ahd it with microsoft, the vista software is so slow that it took an hour to load media player and then it took 3 days for a defragment!
plus they have changed everything as i prefered it when you could see everything on a defragment but no, now its booring and as for downloaading, well confirm this and permission for that, whats the point cuz ya gonna download it ayway!!!!

IF I WAS YOU, STICK TO XP BECAUSE VISTA IS ****!

I upgrade my system from XP to Vista Home basic I purchased an online upgrade changed it and have had nothing but trouble! They give you a Digital Locker Account and a passport. well it all [is bad]. I am locked out of my administrator account with no capabilities of overiding the bios settings. I am getting a new computer and miscrosoft can find another patsy.

Computer broken

I bought Sallelite A200. I have to pay for software support (1.40 per min) - Microsoft Vista. Vista!! 2. I have to buy a new copy of Vista recovery software because I cannot access the preinstalled one on my notebook.

Just a bag of frustration I have with both Vista and Toshiba

My CD/DVD ROM drive quit working, the computer ( an HP desktop, purchased in April of 2007) said the driver was the problem. Tried to update the driver and it said I had the latest so I updated my computer with the service pack 1. Big mistake. During the update the system hung up trying to load the 91,000 some odd Microsft files, it made to almost 30,000 when it stalled. I turned the unit off by using the power button.

When I turned it back on, it tried to repair the files. Now when I turn on the computer I get a blue screen telling me there is a problem. Cannot start in safemode. Windows will not load at all. I got on my laptop last night to try and find a solution. Called Microsoft, had trouble communicating with an Indian woman. I was told to borrow someone's Vista disk and load it on my computer but I had to tell her three times I didn't know anyone. I don't have a disk because it was preloaded on my computer.

So, I was told I have to call HP and get them to send me one. Just another note, I was told that we would only one free phone call to support with help with this issue, but yesterday I read an article that said Micrsoft would offer free help on the service pack 1 update till March of 2009.

Do you have a version of Vista Premium Home that works? This is the [worst] I've ever used! Had Windows 2000, worked good. Had Windows XP, worked really good. Vista stinks! Is there a version that works with Internet Explorer so Explorer doesn't crash about 6 times a day? Can I uninstally Vista and install Windows XP?

I look after 4 computers. 2 running XP and 2 running Vista. Vista has been a headache since day 1. For instance the Laptop running Vista. Before SP1, it wouldn't run properly at all, then it settled down with SP1. It ran fine for a couple of months until the usual glitches showed up. So I reformat and start from scratch. This last week I had got the laptop running perfectly. Then a Vista update screwed it but good. Now it will not update period due to explorer has been corrupted by the update.

Computer 2, a desk top. Vista worked fine until as usual, glitches form after a couple of months and have to reformat and start from scratch. After doing this for a year suddenly my printer driver will not install (Xerox Phaser 8500) Xerox is aware of my problem. I managed to find a driver that will run the printer, but most of features are useless including color printing. I had a special job to do and landed up downgrading to XP to get the printer to run properly.

Computer 3, This computer is an HP desktop running Vista worked fine until the disk manager driver became corrupted. We had to purchase the operating system on disk to fix that computer.

Computer 4, This is the only computer that seems to be working fine. Mind you after 2 years it needed to be reformatted as the operating system had become badly corrupted (XP) I have become very frustrated with Microsoft and their operating systems. My next computer will be a MAC as I have been hearing good reports from that computer.

The many long hours of fixing the computers under my care. Plus the purchase of hard drives and ram to try out different things trying to fix these computers.

The system is very flawed. I'm a writer and again last night vista interrupted the project I was working on and deleted all my updates, hours of work I could not retrieve. Horrible way to run an update system.

I bought an xbox 360, a month later I had to return it because of the ring of death. I exchanged it for a new one then another month or so I got the ring of death again. This happened to me about 3 total times. Not to mention the other two times the console had other technical difficulties with issues like, hard drive errors, freezing up and spontaneous shut downs. I've had to return the system a total of five times!

The worst thing about the whole situation is that microsoft had requested that I send my console in for repair, in which I was provided a shipping box. But, when I received my console back it was a totally diferent one. The serial numbers did not match. So I called xbox tech support and they said that my old console was not repairable so they sent me a refurbished one instead (a used one)! However, I paid about 400 dollars when this console came out.

microsoft had an automatic download that shut off key components of my ocmputer. I called them and they say they can fix it but require me to pay for it.

my computer doesn't work. I amn extremely unhappy.

I just purchased a new laptop. And so, it was time to tryout this new Windows Vista. Well, one week into it, I have to say: Shame on Microsoft. My 250Gig hard drive is now unusable with Windows Vista and I cant even network my two computers together to transfer files to my new computer. [Their] new operating system couldnt be more irritating to use with having to click on two to three windows every time I try to install a new application or acknowledge that its ok to show unsecure information every time I display a web page without having the option to say dont show me this message again.

Ive had my new computer for one week and Ive had enough of [their] new operating system. Im returning back to Windows XP. The average computer user is a lot more capable of knowing what they want these days and they dont need [Microsoft] to force them to use your configuration or to buy all new hardware and software every few years.

Early this year(2008) i purchased a brand new Toshiba laptop worth just under 2900AUD, it came with windows vista ultimate and a whole heap of other crappy programs as well. Since then i have the daily problems of Windows explorer crashing, the laptop over heating, the system crashing due to blue screen while it is at idle or just a simple task. All together i have 3 pcs's 2x running Linux and this laptop running vista. i must say both my linux boxs run for months on end with a trouble yet the one that cost the most and has license copyright protected software on it that u have to pay for crashs every day with. So how can big corperations keep selling such bad technogly ( if thats what u would call anything microsoft) to the every day user.

due to this happening i have lost alot of programming work and it has also errored one of my external HDD's after the blue screen crash.


Keep receiving notices that software updates are ready to install. However when I try to update I get a notice that Service Pack 3 did not down load and this may cause computer problems. I tried contacting microsoft but they want a credit card number so they can bill me for the down load. I don't think its right to send me a down load icon and keep it on my tool bar until I pay a fee.

The problem is very annoying. I just feel micrsoft is using highly questionable sales tactics.


In one of the many Microsoft updates was an update that crashed my computer. I did not get a blue screen, just a black one. After 4 hours online with the technition who could not be understood, he threw his hands up and decided to finish the next day. The Microsoft representatives admitted it was due to the software update, but when the manager called he tried blaming it on Sony and them told me next time I buy a computer buy one without an operating system...then buy Microsoft's operating system and install it myself!!!!!

Yes, I will pay mega bucks for a computer with no o.system and then pay the outrageous amount they charge for their software. I lost my data and more than 12 hours of my time, I won't go into the stress. So now I have the crappy updated internet explorer which does not open the web pages quite often if not as much as 1/2 the time. Microsoft should not make excuses for bad software! I will take the advice of the tech. I will NOT buy a computer with a Windows operating system.

12 hours of lost time. I had to pay $100 to have CPR done to my computer. (Less than 6 months old) I lost photographs and work reports. I was stressed to the point of extreme anger and sarcasm with the reps.

I brought my computer in Nov.2007 and from the first week I owned it, I knew some thing was wrong, Icould not get out on the Internet and I had Aol. So the I connected ATT. and started paying for that also, thinking that if I had two isp then I could get one with one or the other. But NO! Everytime I tried to get onthe web with the Internet Explore, It would say ,things likeit could not show me the site. And the windows vista would start acting all wirld.

I kept geting a flag not from windows saying that There is not Domain site with this name. And every time i tried to push the next the flag would come up so I coulded finnaly push the next button. Then finnaly the flag not Quit coming . Windows had put Errow code come up at the bottom adress bar,saying there ws a errow on this page,so att&yahoo wou Quit tramsmitten. i was inform that they could not find me in the system. I finnaly strating getting messages yesterday from Windows stating that they coukld see that i was having trouble with there windows Vista program. I can't even write a note. Even as I am writing you windows is canging some of the letters around.

I've have to go to the libary to do my taxes just because windows didn.t like me going to TaxAct ,com it would even chanfe some of my number in my report. Every one would tell me I have a Virse But I didn;t I paid 50.00 for Mcfee and windows denfender scanning all the time and I even bulldoze my computer about 40 times since i own it,

I connected Gateway about the promblem and they was supposed to send me a box ,to send my coumpter back so the could check it out, I waited a week in a half ,and called them about my box and they informed me the had recieved a e-mail stating it was workink fine, I don.t know hoe that happen because icould not even get out on the Internet at the time.


My partner and I purchased two new computers in 2007. One was for normal use while the second was a fast machine that was needed to handle special research tasks. Both machines came with Microsoft Vista Home Premium.

I installed Microsoft Flight Simulator FX onto the fast machine. It was needed for research purposes related to my position as an aviation journalist and aviation analyst. While both Vista and FSX are Microsoft products, the FSX specifically designed for Vista, they did not match up. Even a major Vista upgrade failed at one point crashing the system. I have experience with past Microsoft products in past years since 1988 and, in my view, Vista must be, by far, the most unreliable, unstable and useless operating system ever devised.

As a dual Australian/Dutch citizen, I shall be making representations to cunsumer protection authories in both countries as well as the EU with recommendations that Vista should be withdrawn from sale until Microsoft can assure and show consumers that is has the capacity to solve most if not all Vista problems. I am also of the view that a general Vista recall should be effected.

And yes, Vista is a lemon.

I purchased a new computer with Vista (this was the only operating system w/o buying an Apple-was not what I wanted). When I went to use the word program I found out that it is only a trial. After paying $ 800.00 for a new computer I would think that they could at least install a basic word operating system. You have to purchase a seperate disk. How greedy is Microsoft! They could at least fix there defective products (Vista).

Very angry and frustrated!

Other than IE7 not opening 30% of the web pages i go to and vista not running over 90% of my programs, even those claiming to run ONLY ON VISTA and the fact that MS charges $59 for support and i cannot find anyplace to complain I would like to make MS A DEAL THEY SWAP OLD XP FOR THIS NEW VISTA. THEY SHOULD BE SUED FOR A FEW BILLION DOLLARS OF NOT TOO OLD SOFTWARE THAT WONT WORK ON VISTA. I SHOULD HAVE BOUGHT THE MAC.

IT WOULD COST ME APPROXIMATELY $900 TO REPLACE THE SOFTWARE THAT WILL NOT WORK ON THIS VISTA, IF I COULD EVEN FIND IT.

Microsoft downloads updates, and shows a box periodically that ONLY offers to restart your computer NOW or, restart later. It is blindingly bizzarre that no programmer at Microsoft has figured out that there should be an option: this update will be implemented when YOU restart your computer..! OTHER software companies have figured this out. Shame on Microsoft--they have become more and more Jack-Booted as time goes by.

Loss of email. Loss of documents in progress. Discrimination; bullying against disabled person operating computer as only means of communication. MANY hours of documents lost, because Microsoft FAILED to allow me to restart my computer after THEY downloaded Service pack3 for XP. EVERYtime Microsoft downloads something, THEY reset my settings so it allows THEM to mangle my computer to THEIR configurations, yet again. THEY make changes on their schedule, NOT MINE. BAD! BAD! BAD! BAD! BAD!

I have an HP Pavilion dv6000. My complaint is about MS Vista! Why do [they] insist on putting an inferior product on [HP] computer systems! MS XP was pretty good...in fact way better than Vista. Vista doesn't work with nothing! All my software is useless, explorer shuts down many times even while searching documents saved.

HP usually have good products, but if [they] insist on providing (or promoting) operating systems that is nothing but [problems], you made a step back instead of foward. Everything works on XP. Vista is just putting people in the realm of an experimental situation. Microsoft has always put things out before it is ready.

Message: I made a mistake - On my home PC, the other day, Microsoft asked if I wanted the Anti-virus update; and I said yes. [Mistake] I have another anti-virus program that I like; but now I am getting the MS Anti-virus pop-ups, plus it will not let me see my Task Manager, and the default homepage web screen is the MS Anti-virus page. How do I get rid of the MS Virus Alert? This is the message I sent to MS three times. Their response is that I should look at their product. I do not want their product. I have another.

I can not see my computer information as it was before. I want to be able to see my computer as it was. Restore back to it's original configuration. That is all I am asking for.

I just wanted to tell you how much I hated Vista Home Premium, and struggled with it for over 2 years. I could not take it anymore, so I upgraded back to Windows XP. Now it runs better, less problems, easier for me to use, as I am a self taught PC person who has learned a lot, but Vista was bad as far as I'm concerned, and I know many others agree. Too many bells and whistles that are not needed.

Too bad they ship all the new ones out with Vista! One other complaint is that Dell cartridges take 1-2 weeks to come in the mail, while Staples HP's take 1 day! They say they sell Dell in Staples now, but NOT THE ONE I NEED--THE ALL-IN-ONE 922! I wish I had bought anything but Dell! A very frustrated and mad, former Vista user...

Not much economic, but having to pay for the Windows XP program, and a technician to install it (who had all kinds of problems doing it.) Monetary lay out to go back to XP, about $300-350.

I bought microsoft Vista installed on a Dell computer last November (Insperion 531s

Installed Vista spi and called Microsoft for help. Microsoft help made my problems worse, computer does not work. When I asked that they send me a copy of XP to replace their dog pile ststem Vista they said they will not since Dell loaded it on the computer and to call dell. Dell said they would not do anything except for a charge and would not replace Vista. No help from Dell or Microsoft to replace apoor poor system called Windows Vista. They sold me something that does not work and will not replace it nor can either one of them help fix what I have.


Damn you, for making the current (2007) version of Word incompatible with earlier versions! I spent a lot of time (about a year) preparing a document in Microsoft Word 2007, and yesterday sent it to a bunch of addressees. Today I find that it cannot be read by earlier versions of word, without some sort of special fix!!!

Now I have to modify it so that it can be read by earlier versions of Word, and re-send it - because it's unfair to assume that all of my addressees have the most recent version of Word. It will take me the better part of a day.

It appears that Microsoft's new VISTA Program is not performing up to snuff. I notice that Microsoft is now advertising there new Microsoft 2008. And some computer companies have begau making new computers with Windows XP instead of the all fantastic Vista. I have a laptop that beeps at odd intervals. When it came time for HP to send me the packing material , so that I could send them the laptop for repair. They somehow managed to an address, that I no longer live at. This after I have repeated times changed my address with them.

It has been a long and arduous process. Only to find out that they have returned to building computers with the XP OS. How ironic, Vista sucks and I cannot use XP. My feeling is, that either HP and or Microsoft should do something to improve or recompence those many of us that have been sold a bill of goods.

The game console will freeze up during play, and it seems to scratch the cd's after some play time.

Games are scratched on the back making them unplayable.


I purchased a new computer from Best Buy on 05-02-07 it came preloaded with windows vista. The program was impossible to use,after many weeks of dealing with support groups in India I was directed to E-machine corp. who sent out a new CD to reload Vista home premium. I again experiencd problems and continued to work with windows support- to no awail.The suport group said it was e-machines problem since they loaded the program on the computer,e-machine said it was a bad program made by Microsoft and that they should offer a fix.

Again I talked to microsoft suport in India and they said that there is a fix for their vista program and that I should just send them 80$ for the fix. I do not belive that I should send them more money to fix their problem since I just bought a new computer with their software loade.My bigest complaint is that when I go to E-mail it takes up to 3 minutes to load and the same for the internet connection, I have road runner and that is high speed connection. I requested for windows XP to replace what I have but Microsoft refuses. At this point I want my money back or the old wersion of XP so that I can use the computer.

My frustration with this has gone on way too long. Microsoft has baracated themselves so that it is impossible to talk to any one with authority.When I do get on the internet my complaint seems to be part of very many others with the same issues.


It has been 8 months of frustration, at this point I just want my money back662.10$ and they can have this computer.

I recently purchased a new computer, and unfortunately, it had Windows Vista installed on it. I have difficulty telling about all of the problems I have had with Vista. (When I boot up, it takes me to a page to create a new user, when I never requested it!) It only allows me to use their Internet browser (I much prefer Firefox), and on and on! Anyone else out there that's had problems--what did you do to rectify?

I cannot use the programs I prefer!

On November 27, 2007, I downloaded Windows Vista Home Bisic program at a cost of $99.95 which was paid for on my Debit Card. I had previously run the the Microsoft Vista test program on my Dell computer, which has Microsoft XP. The test indicated that Windows Vista would work on my sysrem. This has not been the case. Initially, Windows Vista blocked all of my programs, files and data saying ACCESS DENIED or Protected Mode:on or A required privilage is not held by the client (whatever that means) Through numerous hours long calls to Microsoft Support, I have gained access to a very few programs from my Windows XP; with very little hope that I will ever have unfettered access to all of my programs, files and data.

I want Microsoft to give me back my programs, files, and data.

Windows Vista is nothing but a piece of junk. I always get a "not responding" when trying to do anything. For the cost I should not have any trouble with new equipment. Since the day I brought this computer home with the Vista operating system I've had nothing but trouble. Spent 12 hours yesterday doing a restore and re-downloading my programs, thus losing a lot of my pictures and documents. I would like to down grade to XP-64 but would cost me money I don't have. I would just like to have software that really works. I never had this trouble with Windows Me or my XP on my laptop. Microsoft should do a recall so people can get this fixed at their cost.


I purchased an eMachine computer a few months ago that included the new Vista OS. Unbeknownst to me, the Vista OS is incompatible with my ISP and neither Microsoft or eMachines is willing to do anything to fix the problem. I first tried to work with Charter Communications (My ISP) and they tried everything to get it to work with their current Internet technologies. They finally conceded that they cannot help me until Microsoft sends out software to ISP's that will fix the incompatibility issues.

I then tried calling Microsoft to get some help. They couldn't make the Vista OS work either and then told me if I wanted more advanced Technical Support I would have to pay a $79.00 fee (up front). I said that was unsatisfactory and they promptly told me they couldn't help and to try eMachines. eMachines has an 800 number that is of no help at all and sends you to a different (toll) number to seek customer service. This number puts you on hold indefinitely!! I have a new computer that is only good for burning CDs and playing purchased games! I am using my 10 year old Power Macintosh 7300/180 to write this complaint as well as use e-mail and or internet! I knew I should have stayed with Macintosh!!


Nothing happened, but it could cost me plenty in order to get connected to the internet with a new computer and a supposedly new Operating System (Vista). What a pain!!!


I am making a complaint in general to Microsoft's absurd practice of forcing people to purchase their new vista software; When I purchased a Dell Leptop this June, I was told that I NO LONGER have the option to pay for a previous version of software and will be forced to accept the new version of software per Dell-Microsoft agreement. This is high way robbery! Why am I forced to buy something I do not want and do not know how to operate? Has not the supreme ask Microsoft to behave themselves, else they would be consider a monopoly yet again?

I do not understand why America allows this kind of business behavior to continue; Microsoft alone is FORCING AMERICA TO WATSE MANPOWER BY WASTING TIME TO RE_LEARN a behavior. If one calculates how many man-hours the learning curve for getting used the new and not-improved software, one will find it is a great waste of time. Can someone please tell America is not going take this business malpractice sitting down? Thanks.


My complaint is about the windows program. There were programs in my computer, that I'm now been retricted from using. For example, I have sonic stage music stored in my computer by Sony. Since I installed the windows vista premium, I can't use these programs. I must go on as a administrator and, the program always cuts off and, I'm been told that you will investigate the reason why this happens. I have a vast listing of times my computer turns off on its own.


I purchased Windows Vista Home Premium. This has caused me to waste some 100 hours of time to date, attempting to do simple tasks which should be supported. For example, I can create and save a file, but this becomes invisible to Vista meaning that I can perform no work on it.


When we were purchasing our next computer, we requested that the operating system be XP Pro. No said Dell, you will get Vista and like it! Well, we got it, but we do not like it. We have called with question after question. Request after request. This does not work - that is not compatible. For example, our spankin' brand new Sony DVD recorder is not compatible with Vista. Dell says it is a software problem - call Sony. Sony is aware of the problem but has not yet developed drivers for Vista.

Also having problems are H/P printers, Quicken, Olympus cameras (Camedia software),Roxio,
Sonic DVD software Symantec Anti-virus, Adobe update mgr, even some Dell installed programs that CAME ON THE COMPUTER will not run with Vista! Go figure! Dell's answer to this is :Buy more Dell stuff! Buy XP Pro and install it yourself (we could) - for $299 (We won't). At least now they are allowing XP to be put on the computers. When we first contacted Dell in late March, they said no, it would violate the warrenty. We are totally disgusted!


We are at the point of wanted to take a sledge hammer to this thing. My husband often writes performance appraisals at home for work - but Vista is not compatible with form Flow software. I use the computer for charity work with ebay - but can't print as Vista refuses to recognize our HP printer. We are stymied as to how to turn this piece of cow pie into a planter!


My husband and I purchased Windows Vista...At first it worked fine...After about 2 months...One day we went to do some work on the coumputer and I have a page that pops up saying that my Windows Vista has expired...Well I call Circuit City Online smf this is where the circle begins...They tell me it is not their problem to call Microsoft or Digital Locker and I did and both told me Circuit City would be the ones to help me...I call Circuit City back and they tell me that they have no record of my husband ordering....

In turn my husband simply and nicely says well I have the bank statement that shows I purchased the software with you and the date and whatnot...They became very rude with him and hung up on him...We have never received anything in the mail as far as software or telling us our product key or anything along those lines...Here I sit with a no answers nor help.

My husband loaded Windows Vista onto my HP laptop. Immediately we had problems with the mouse cursor jumping all over without the touchpad being used - it would scroll pages automatically, open programs, shut them off, exit a word doc I was working on, etc, etc. I called tech support, they said this is a user friendly option built in and they can't turn it off, I will have to deal with it. Two days later, my laptop completly froze and shut down and would not ressond to anything. I called tech support again and over the course of about 5 days, was on the phone nightly with different techs for hours at a time. I could never get the same person and so each tech would ask me to do the same things over and over to verify it's been done before. They verified numerous times that my harddrive had been completly erased. It will not even respond to the backup Windows XP disks that came with the laptop.

I was able to return the Vista software to Microsoft's Return Dept and should have my refund in 2 wks. I have since had to buy another laptop since my first one is useless. I have been inquiring with the tech support manager I'm dealing with about who is responsible for my laptop now that Vista rewrote and erased my computer. They insist it's HP's problem under warranty, but HP sayd my warranty is void now that I loaded software not obtained from their website. Financially, I am out the $800 for the original laptop and the $600 for the new one and no one at Microsoft will help me.



I purchased a new computer with Windows Vista Installed. Since I purchased the computer The Federal Government has banned the purchase or upgrade of Windows Vista. When trying to contact Microsoft for support as (90 days per an article on Microsoft Web site)they told me that the agreament they have with computer manufactures is that that the manufacturer will fix the problems. I told them the manufacturer could not get the problem fixed and the told me for $49.95 I could talk to a service tech. Microsoft released a product that was not compatible with other software with lots of bugs.


I am unsure of how much software I am going to have to replace to use my new computer.



Downplaying compatibility issues of the new Vista Operating systems to the general public. I spent the better part of the day installing, removing, performing system restorations and then reinstalling the new Vista operating system to get it to operate on my relatively new, HP dv9000t laptop computer. After all was said and done, I had to remove about several significant programs. More importantly, Vista left me without the ability to sync my Palm Treo 700w Smartphone because the Active Sync does not work with the new Vista program.


Microsoft wanted us, the average consumer to rush out and buy this incompatible operating system without any significant insight or concern about compatibility issues. I spent most of yesterday morning on the phone to Microsoft tech support who could not aide me in my problem. I installed Vista upgrade and it was not compatible with a Data Security Suite had purchased from HP.

My laptop would not function because Vista had fallen into an infinite loop with error messages Microsoft Explorer could not start shutting down my desktop only to restart a second later with the message stating Microsoft Explorer attempting to restart again, over and over. After tech support told me they would call me in 36 hrs with help because they did not have a solution at the moment, I on my own did a complete system restoration, now using the full version of Vista instead of the upgrade and managed to fix the problem. Now, all I had to deal with were all the incompatibility issues such as my brand new Palm Treo not being able to sync with Outlook. Add me to the list Microsoft sucks. I'm going to buy me a new 24 inch iMac!


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