Microsoft Windows 95 Registration Wizard Questions and Answers July 1995 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. ######### Microsoft and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries. For More Information, Press Only: Claudia Husemann, Waggener Edstrom, (503) 245-0905