Microsoft 'services'.

This morning I have had an email from Microsoft, as I expect many have, about changes to their conditions when using their 'services'. I don't, as far as I am aware, use Microsoft 'services' but I don't know this as the Services are not listed, they are just under the general umbrella of services. The new conditions come into force at the end of August and if I continue to use them (unknowingly) I have agreed to them. This seems to me to be a bit of a fudge legally.. I would appreciate any information that anyone may have

This morning I have had an email from Microsoft, as I expect many have, about changes to their conditions when using their 'services'. I don't, as far as I am aware, use Microsoft 'services' but I don't know this as the Services are not listed, they are just under the general umbrella of services. The new conditions come into force at the end of August and if I continue to use them (unknowingly) I have agreed to them. This seems to me to be a bit of a fudge legally.. I would appreciate any information that anyone may have

Do you use Microsoft software like their operating system Windows or Office as perhaps they could be classed as a service ?

Do you use Microsoft software like their operating system Windows or Office as perhaps they could be classed as a service ?

This is why I am unclear. Windows is my operating system but when I post a photo on here or on Flickr does that count as a 'service' provided by Microsoft? I have never 'joined' Microsoft i.e. I do not have an account, which provides cloud storage and several other facilities which I have no use for. I am careful with the amount of 'stuff' which I post on-line i.e. don't use Facebook or Twitter and have joined Instagram but don't post on there - just to keep up with what grandchildren are posting. I have also purchased Office but it was an outright purchase and surely cannot be categorised as a 'service'?

This is why I am unclear. Windows is my operating system but when I post a photo on here or on Flickr does that count as a 'service' provided by Microsoft? I have never 'joined' Microsoft i.e. I do not have an account, which provides cloud storage and several other facilities which I have no use for. I am careful with the amount of 'stuff' which I post on-line i.e. don't use Facebook or Twitter and have joined Instagram but don't post on there - just to keep up with what grandchildren are posting. I have also purchased Office but it was an outright purchase and surely cannot be categorised as a 'service'?

Would assume "Services" to mean an account and using their tech guys for trouble shooting etc. Windows does not fall into the category of service.

Would assume "Services" to mean an account and using their tech guys for trouble shooting etc. Windows does not fall into the category of service.

I've been looking at the updates to Services, whatever they are. I've no idea what they're on about. This page is highlighted as a brief explanation of the changes but I'm still no wiser. I'm not even sure I have a Microsoft account. I use Word, Excel and Outlook, so do these apply? And if I don't sign in to my possibly non-existent MS account, will I be locked out? If anyone can make head or tail of all this I'd be most obliged to hear from you. https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/servicesagreement/upcoming-updates.aspx

I've been looking at the updates to Services, whatever they are. I've no idea what they're on about. This page is highlighted as a brief explanation of the changes but I'm still no wiser. I'm not even sure I have a Microsoft account. I use Word, Excel and Outlook, so do these apply? And if I don't sign in to my possibly non-existent MS account, will I be locked out? If anyone can make head or tail of all this I'd be most obliged to hear from you.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/servicesagreement/upcoming-updates.aspx

As so much is potentially synced to the cloud when you start using accounts such as @ Hotmail.co.uk or @outlook.com etc (or even gmail/googlemail.com). And as the OS's all talk back to the suppliers to advise you of updates etc. And the applications IE/Edge/Chrome all check for updates, locations, browsing habits etc. all these 'services' are likely included. The Business model of choice now seems to be lots of people paying subscriptions for services that the suppliers can change at any time as they see fit. So mostly in your case perhaps its just security / feature updates in the OS or browsers you might use. Realistically you can either accept their basic legal conditions, or might as well just throw the PC away.

As so much is potentially synced to the cloud when you start using accounts such as @ Hotmail.co.uk or @outlook.com etc (or even gmail/googlemail.com).
And as the OS's all talk back to the suppliers to advise you of updates etc. And the applications IE/Edge/Chrome all check for updates, locations, browsing habits etc. all these 'services' are likely included.

The Business model of choice now seems to be lots of people paying subscriptions for services that the suppliers can change at any time as they see fit.


So mostly in your case perhaps its just security / feature updates in the OS or browsers you might use.
Realistically you can either accept their basic legal conditions, or might as well just throw the PC away.

Non the wiser Stuart. I've just found a password and pin number for a Microsoft account but can't remember setting it up and I've never logged into it. Perhaps I should, just to see what I signed up to, whenever.

Non the wiser Stuart. I've just found a password and pin number for a Microsoft account but can't remember setting it up and I've never logged into it. Perhaps I should, just to see what I signed up to, whenever.

Probably you are a user of, are have previously used, something like Outlook.com or Hotmail, Office 365, Cortana, Bing Maps, Linked In, built in Anti Virus, Phone Companion, Windows Store (for apps even free ones) or Windows Updates. At some point a checkbox will have opted you in to something and those terms and conditions are changing and they are letting you know.

Probably you are a user of, are have previously used, something like Outlook.com or Hotmail, Office 365, Cortana, Bing Maps, Linked In, built in Anti Virus, Phone Companion, Windows Store (for apps even free ones) or Windows Updates. At some point a checkbox will have opted you in to something and those terms and conditions are changing and they are letting you know.

Thanks, Angie, for starting this topic, and to the responses. The email has been on my Outlook for a few days but i hadn't bothered to read it. I suppose i ought to read it properly now as i don't want to get cut off. Things used to be so much simpler. :(

Thanks, Angie, for starting this topic, and to the responses. The email has been on my Outlook for a few days but i hadn't bothered to read it. I suppose i ought to read it properly now as i don't want to get cut off. Things used to be so much simpler.

I don't use Outlook, Bing, Cortana, Hotmail and I bought Office as a separate piece of software. I have AVG anti-virus, hate anything which tries to 'link' all my bits of equipment together - they are separate and I wish them to stay that way. Windows updates I would rather not have and have frequently tried to stop Windows from updating when they want to. I use Firefox browser and use none (I don't think) of the Windows own software for anything - again as far as I am aware. I have always made a conscious effort NOT to have a Microsoft account - if I play a patience game I play as a guest, I don't wish to compare my ability with someone else's - totally meaningless to me and I don't wish to 'beat' others to 'top scores'. I do not want to be tracked - (sorry ePz!) but advertising is not where I want to be, nor do I want my life history to be available to all and sundry if they care to Google. I know what Chris will say - if you use the internet you leave a trail no matter what! But I can keep that to a minimum (I think). But I think Microsoft ought legally to spell out exactly what they mean - what the implications are for the users and what they get out of it. There are a lot of rabbits out there who have been completely blinded by the headlights!

I don't use Outlook, Bing, Cortana, Hotmail and I bought Office as a separate piece of software. I have AVG anti-virus, hate anything which tries to 'link' all my bits of equipment together - they are separate and I wish them to stay that way. Windows updates I would rather not have and have frequently tried to stop Windows from updating when they want to. I use Firefox browser and use none (I don't think) of the Windows own software for anything - again as far as I am aware. I have always made a conscious effort NOT to have a Microsoft account - if I play a patience game I play as a guest, I don't wish to compare my ability with someone else's - totally meaningless to me and I don't wish to 'beat' others to 'top scores'. I do not want to be tracked - (sorry ePz!) but advertising is not where I want to be, nor do I want my life history to be available to all and sundry if they care to Google. I know what Chris will say - if you use the internet you leave a trail no matter what! But I can keep that to a minimum (I think).

But I think Microsoft ought legally to spell out exactly what they mean - what the implications are for the users and what they get out of it. There are a lot of rabbits out there who have been completely blinded by the headlights!

[quote] but I don't know this as the Services are not listed[/quote] The services are listed in the very last paragraph....too numerous to copy/paste here but cover everything from Bing to Xbox.

Quote: but I don't know this as the Services are not listed


The services are listed in the very last paragraph....too numerous to copy/paste here but cover everything from Bing to Xbox.

My husband thinks it might be spam as he did a search online and couldn't see anything mentioned about any service changes in MS.

My husband thinks it might be spam as he did a search online and couldn't see anything mentioned about any service changes in MS.

Thanks for that Ross D - I don't think I use any of them. Look here SlowSong https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/servicesagreement/upcoming.aspx

Thanks for that Ross D - I don't think I use any of them.

Look here SlowSong
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/servicesagreement/upcoming.aspx

The latest release of windows 10 is slowly being released out to us end users. This will include new features that require us agree new terms [link=https://www.howtogeek.com/402569/everything-new-in-windows-10s-april-2019-update/]https://www.howtogeek.com/402569/everything-new-in-windows-10s-april-2019-update/[/link]

The latest release of windows 10 is slowly being released out to us end users.

This will include new features that require us agree new terms

https://www.howtogeek.com/402569/everything-new-in-windows-10s-april-2019-update/

Phew. Thanks peeps. Was just wondering whether I'd have to change all my passwords. :)

Phew. Thanks peeps. Was just wondering whether I'd have to change all my passwords.