Q: What is the Microsoft? Windows? 95 operating system Registration Wizard?
A: The Windows 95 Registration Wizard is simply an electronic version of the
paper-based registration card that will ship in the Windows 95 product box.
Q: Must I use the Registration Wizard?
A: No. You may use the paper registration card if you prefer. And just like
paper-based registration, online registration is completely optional.
Q: How does the Registration Wizard work?
A: The Registration Wizard helps you step by step through the process of
registering your copy of Windows 95. The wizard helps you provide the same
information that you would fill out using the paper registration form. For
example, the wizard starts by asking your name, company name, address and
phone number. It then gives you the option of sending information about your
computer system's configuration (such as the processor type, amount of
memory and hard-disk space) and your hardware peripherals (such as your
network card, CD-ROM drive and sound card). The wizard also asks if you'd
like to send information about the applications on your system.
The wizard makes it easy for you to provide information about your system
configuration, because it automatically queries the system registry of your
computer and displays a list of your computer's configuration information.
You can see all of the information, and you can choose to send or not send
it.
Similarly, the wizard makes it easy for you to provide information about the
applications you use, because it checks your local hard disk for the names
of commonly used programs and lists on the display the names of the ones you
have (a maximum of 12 are listed). You review the list, then choose to send
or not send the information.
Q: What is the difference between registering online and filling out the
paper registration form?
A: Online registration can be more accurate and convenient. It eliminates
the need to write answers on a card and mail it. The wizard also checks your
local computer and fills in some answers for you to review, so that you
don't have to guess or look up system-configuration and application
information. The wizard also conveniently sends the information to Microsoft
Corp. via MSN The Microsoft Network, eliminating the need for the
information to be manually entered into a database once it reaches
Microsoft.
Q: Can I choose to send some, but not all, of the information requested by
the wizard?
A: Yes. For example, you do not have to send the system-configuration
information. It is completely optional. In fact, unless you explicitly
choose to send the information, the wizard does not send it.
The same is true for the information about the applications on your system.
You must choose to send the information, or the wizard does not send it.
Q: How is the information sent to Microsoft?
A: The information you choose to send to Microsoft is transmitted via MSN.
Q: Do you have to subscribe to The Microsoft Network to use the Registration
Wizard?
A: No. You do not have to be an MSN subscriber to register online, and using
the Registration Wizard to register your copy of Windows 95 does not make
you an MSN subscriber. Signing up for The Microsoft Network is a separate
process.
Q: Why does Microsoft need the system-configuration and application
information?
A: The information helps Microsoft build better products and provides you
with better product support. Information about users' systems such as memory
and hard-disk space, and the presence of a CD-ROM drive helps Microsoft
understand customers' configurations and therefore design products that meet
the majority of users' needs. Knowing your exact system configuration and
the applications you run makes it easier for product-support specialists to
provide fast, accurate telephone responses to your questions.
Like paper-based registration, online registration enables Microsoft to send
you information about Microsoft programs that are tailored for your needs
and interests. Just as with paper-based registration, the online
registration information stays at Microsoft and is never provided to other
parties. Occasionally, information may be sent to you about non-Microsoft
products or programs when appropriate, but you can check a box in the wizard
if you wish never to receive such materials.
Q: Why should I register at all?
A: Registration is optional. However, registering your software brings you a
number of benefits. These benefits often include qualifying for special
Microsoft product offers and upgrades to new versions of the software at
special prices or at no charge, in addition to improved product support.
Q: Can I see exactly what information is being sent to Microsoft when I
register online?
A: Yes. The wizard is carefully designed to allow you to easily see and
review all the information before it is sent. For example, the dialog boxes
about system configuration and applications do not support scroll bars. This
eliminates any possibility that information scrolled out of view could be
transferred without your knowledge.
Q: If I choose to cancel out of online registration, will I have another
opportunity to register?
A: Yes. The Online Registration button is displayed on the Welcome dialog
box for Windows 95 until the registration process is completed. Once
registration is successfully completed, this button disappears.
Q: Does the Registration Wizard track serial numbers or registration
information about the user's registration of other products?
A: Not at all. It also does not query computers on a local or wide area
network.
Q: Is this Microsoft's way of tracking down illegal copies of products?
A: No. The Registration Wizard is not designed to be an enforcement tool of
any kind and does not capture any information that would be useful in
tracking illegal software. For instance, the information that is collected
does not include serial numbers or other registration information about
products installed on the hard disk. Thus, the Registration Wizard is not
useful for fighting software piracy.
Q: Do other companies offer online registration facilities?
A: Dozens of companies in the computer software and hardware industries
offer online registration facilities like the Windows 95 Registration
Wizard. These companies include IBM, Compaq Computer Corp., PROCOMM,
CompuServe Inc. and America Online Inc., to name a few.
Q: Do any other Microsoft products use this technology?
A: Windows 95 is the first Microsoft product to offer online registration as
an option for the convenience of customers. We anticipate using this
technology in future products. In fact, we plan for online registration to
be offered in other Microsoft products soon.
Q: How does the information sent to Microsoft during online registration
differ from that sent in by paper-based registration?
A: The information basically is the same, and it is used in the same manner
by Microsoft. Online registration simply uses the system to check the
configuration and installed applications and offers you that information,
which makes it easier for you to respond precisely to the registration
questions.
Q: Can I be sure that additional information will not be sent accidentally
to Microsoft from my hard drive or memory?
A: The Registration Wizard sends no information without your explicit
permission. Information cannot be sent accidentally from your hard drive or
memory. The Registration Wizard uses a memory buffer that is first cleared
of all information (initialized to contain all 0s). Your registration
information is copied into the buffer one string at a time copying only the
exact information you see on the display. There is no way for the
Registration Wizard to upload information that you did not see on the
display.
If you want to view the exact information gathered during your online
registration, you can view the REGINFO.TXT file found in the C:\WINDOWS
directory of your local computer.
Q: Can I remove the wizard from my computer if I want to?
A: Yes. Your network administrator also can remove the Registration Wizard
during batch setup of Windows 95-based computers.
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