MS Windows & MSO10 pushware

[decombs21]

I just finished helping an elderly friend get his new Dell Windows 7 computer going. I installed a new copy of MS Office 2010 Home Edition also.

I went home thinking all was well until my friend called asking me what to do about this popup and that popup window. I didn't know what to tell him until I drove clear across town the next day to find he had inadvertanly clicked one of the MS has preloaded trial offers for office. He also had Windows Upgrade Center come up on him and he didn't know what to do.

My first effort was to try and turn off the Upgrade feature but couldn't. I then told him about things not to touch - all he needed was Word anyhow to fininsh his latest book he's writing.

Frankly, this Pushware feature stinks. It's confusing to me and I've been using Windows since Win95. I am shocked by the new effort by Balmer and friends - would Bill have done this? - to push new software sales upon the unsuspecting and naive.

I want to upgrade my installation of Windows to Win7 next year when the first service pack is issued and am wondering if the OEM, full and upgrade versions of Win7 also have this pushware "feature" installed on them or is this something that MS colluded only with Dell, Gateway and others?

Or am I in for it? Sigh.

Dave

 

[RebateMonger]

You likely want to uninstall the MS Office Trial and then re-install his copy of MS Office. Uninstalling takes about a minute. Whenever installing a new copy of Office, it's a good idea to first uninstall any Trial copies.

I don't know what "Upgrade Feature" is. What is it wanting to upgrade?

MS Office Trial versions have been around for a long time on prebuilt PCs. My 2005 PCs have them. PC builders get credit if the PC buyer buys the full Office from the Trial. If you don't want it, as I noted, it only takes a minute to uninstall it.

MS Office Trial isn't included with generic OEM or Retail-box versions of Windows.

 

[decombs21]

RM,

Thanks for your input. Sadly your misunderstanding is my fault.

I did install a retail, store bought version of MS Office 2010. It came with preloaded samples of Access, Publisher and Outlook.

The first thing I noticed were the links in the startup for these and wondered, "Shazam, what version did I buy here. I thought it was the stripped down Home Edition."

It was. What happens is that if these links are clicked you're presented with the wonderful opporutnity to buy yet more MS Office programs. This is why I call this "pushware."

It is confusing to neophytes and experienced alike.

Like I said. My friend is elderly, really only 84 years young, and he is confused by all this. He just wants to finish his book for his publisher and finish in time for the Holiday season, not figure out what "pushware" is all about. And frankly, he doesn't like calling me 20 miles across town unless he has to.

Darn that Steve Balmer. I don't get paid for this, you know ... ()

 

[RebateMonger]

I haven't installed Office 2010. The various Office 2007 versions didn't have any optional Trial installs as far as I recall.

About all you can do is open up the MS Office Installer and remove the Trial versions. It doesn't take long.

Install or remove individual Office programs and components:
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/w...fice-programs-and-components-HA010354261.aspx

 

[JackMDS]

Next time when you get to your friend's house install on his computer TeamViewer.

It free and very easy to use. http://www.teamviewer.com/solutions/support.aspx

 

[Gunbuster]

I'm sorry that is not confusing. You're getting in a huff because MS gives a user the ability to easily pay for and install extra features should the need arise.

Why is your buddy opening things other than word? Are you two going to have a group cry when he clicks another icon in the start menu too?

 

[Chiefcrowe]

FYI - office 2007 did have trial versions, i've seen them on several pcs.

 

[decombs21]

I haven't installed Office 2010. The various Office 2007 versions didn't have any optional Trial installs as far as I recall.

About all you can do is open up the MS Office Installer and remove the Trial versions. It doesn't take long.

Install or remove individual Office programs and components:
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/w...fice-programs-and-components-HA010354261.aspx

Thanks, RM. I copied and saved the information from MS for the next time I go by my friend's house.

Ya'll keep your dukes up in AZ now ...

 

[tcsenter]

Hmmm....I swear that I remember seeing an MS hotfix or KB article (or perhaps it was a support FAQ on an OEM computer company's website) about OEM-pushed trial and/or upsell offers continuing to pop-up after installing a full non-trial version of MS Office. Can't remember where I saw it.