Tag: Your Questions

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Your questions: “How do I make Internet Explorer my default web browser?”

As I work in the Windows division, a letter made its way to my office: a customer mail sent to one of our senior leaders that asked…

“How do I set up Internet Explorer to be my default web browser?”

Simple question you may say, but unfortunately in this case, the customer noted that they were unable to find the information on our web sites or using online help.  So, after first apologizing for the difficulty the customer had in locating the information, I then provided the following steps on how to configure your PC to use Internet Explorer your default web browser. 

The following Microsoft Knowledge Base Article answers the question: How to Make Internet Explorer the Default Web Browser (kb 284456, as located through Live Search).

For Internet Explorer 3.x, 4.x, 5.x…

  1. Open Control Panel and double-click Internet Options.
  2. Click the Programs tab.
  3. Click to select the Internet Explorer should check to see whether it is the default browser check box.
  4. Click OK.
  5. Start Internet Explorer and when you are prompted to make it the default browser, click Yes.

imageFor IE 6 and IE7, you may also use the following steps…

  1. Launch “Internet Explorer”.
  2. If a message is displayed asking if you want Internet Explorer to be your default browser, click “Yes”. That’s all you need to do.
    If a message does not appear, go to the next step.
  3. Click the “Tools” button, and then click “Internet Options”.
  4. Click the “Programs” tab, and then click “Make default”.
  5. Click “OK”, and then close Internet Explorer.  Internet Explorer is now the default web browser.

For future, immediate self help, you can often find answers using the Live Search site at http://search.live.com/, http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/cu_inventory, or visit the main Microsoft Support page at http://support.microsoft.com/.  In the US, customers may also use one of the free customer support features such as real-time chat at http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/cu_sc_more_master#tab1.

Microsoft is absolutely focused on delivering the best customer experience.  We’ll always have more work to do, but we’re confident about delivering the best set of experiences for our customers and partners now and in the future.  It’s so important for us to hear from customers using our products, so please send us feedback on what we’re doing well and areas for improvement.

Tags: Microsoft, customer support, feedback, customer service, IE7, Internet Explorer.

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Your questions: “Are computer manufacturers charging for “downgrades” to Windows XP?”

Mary asked yesterday morning…



“I read today that computer manufacturers will start charging customers who want to “downgrade” to Windows XP.  Is this true?”


While I can’t comment (and don’t specifically know) how each of our OEMs are handling downgrades to Windows XP from Vista Business and Ultimate (as I posted previously here), I haven’t seen any OEMs charging for downgrades to Windows XP from qualifying systems.  Mary provided a link to Darren Murph’s post on Engadget today: in it, Murph asserts that Dell will “invoke fees for “downgrading” to Windows XP”…



“Just as promised, it has now bumped up the prices for folks wanting to stick with Windows XP Professional. As of now, the only way to get XP pre-installed is by selecting an option that also throws Vista in the box… getting XP Pro along with Vista Business will cost you $99 more than Vista Home alone, while having Vista Ultimate ride shotgun adds another $50.”


In the past, I think that the additional cost for customers to move their build-to-order system from Vista Home Basic to Vista Business was the same as it is now at Dell in the US — $99… with no premium to order the PC Vista Business ‘Bonus’ with Windows XP loaded. This is clear on Dell’s build-to-order page, as I found this morning…


Dell's BTO OS selection


According to Dell’s “Windows Vista vs. XP” page, Dell customers who buy “a new PC have an opportunity from Dell to buy a Dell PC with Windows XP Professional pre-installed and receive a Windows Vista installation disc.”


So, for now, it appears that ordering a system with Vista Business alone at Dell is the same price as asking to have it delivered with Windows XP installed along with a license for Vista Business. 

Dell's link to transition informationBut… Dell calls out on their site that this special is available for free from June 19 through July 7, the timeframe when customers can “purchase a Dell PC with Windows Vista Business Bonus for the same price as Windows Vista Business or Windows Vista Ultimate Bonus for the same price as or Windows Vista Ultimate*.”


“This option is available through the purchase of Genuine Windows Vista Business BONUS or Genuine Windows Vista Ultimate BONUS. With either of the BONUS options, customers will be taking part in the Microsoft Windows Vista Downgrade Rights Service.”


The “*” indicates that “Pricing subject to change.” 

It’s not clear if Dell will charge for the service after July 7th.

We’ll see what happens on July 8th.


As a side note, Dell was also clear that XP support continues… 


“… customers who are currently operating XP, and wish to continue doing so, don’t have to take any action. Dell will continue to service PCs with Microsoft Windows XP.”


Tags: Microsoft, customer support, feedback, customer service, Windows XP, SP3, Windows Vista, Vista SP1.

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The facts about the future of Windows XP

As I’ve posted previously, there’s been a great deal of discussion on Windows XP support past June 30, and downgrades from Windows Vista.  Thanks to Michael and Mike in the Windows marketing group for pointing out that you can find out more at the facts about the future of Windows XP site.

The facts about the future

Provocative name. 😉

There you’ll find more info on Windows XP “downgrade rights” and answers to frequently asked questions, such as the often asked, “What’ll happen to Windows XP after June 30? I’m confused.”

In industry speak, this is called “end-of-sales.” On June 30, Microsoft will stop distributing Windows XP as a stand-alone product that you can buy shrink-wrapped in the store. We’ll also stop sending it to Dell, HP, Lenovo and all the other major PC manufacturers to sell on their PCs.

That said, Windows XP isn’t going to disappear overnight.

You may still see copies of the software—or computers pre-loaded with it—for months, as stores and PC makers work through their inventory. Also, smaller local PC makers—known in the industry as “system builders”—can continue to sell PCs with Windows XP until January 2009.

Finally, Microsoft recently announced that computers with limited hardware capabilities—devices sometimes called Netbooks or ultra-low cost PCs (ULCPC)—can carry Windows XP Home until June 2010. (Read about the ULCPC program on Microsoft Presspass.)

Also of interest: the latest facts on Windows Vista.

In order to see if your PC is ready for Vista, check out the link to the Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor, which can help determine if your Windows XP-based PC can run Windows Vista. We ran this on our PCs at home prior to upgrading to Windows Vista Home Premium with SP1 on most (including a circa 2004 3.0-GHz Intel Pentium 4 with 1GB of memory, and a 1.4GHz Intel Pentium M laptop… both which are running quite nicely).  We’re also running Windows XP SP3 on the kid’s main PC, and I have Windows XP Media Center 2005 still happily chugging away. 

Not noted here: the various releases I have installed on machines at work, including Windows Vista Enterprise SP1.

Tags: Microsoft, Vista, Windows, Windows XP.

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Your questions: Where’s the best place to look online for support on Microsoft products?

Once again, I received the following question on support…

“I just installed Service Pack 3 for [Windows] XP.  Where’s the best place to look online for support on Microsoft products?”

(thanks, Shawn and Paul)

For Technical Support on Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3), please visit the SP3 support site.  If you applied the SP3, you are entitled to free unlimited installation and compatibility support for Windows XP SP3, valid until April 14, 2009. (Visit the page for more info on service options and the policy).

For all other Windows XP issues, visit the Help and Support site at Help and Support site, and then choose your product.

imageAnd the best place to start for any technical support issue, try starting here on the Microsoft Support site to choose your product.  That will take you to the main page (at right), where you can select a product to see what assisted support options are available. 

Tags: Microsoft, customer support, feedback, customer service, Windows XP, SP3.

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Your questions: “My lap top speakers are not working… any ideas?”

LNB asks…

“My lap top speakers are not working. No sound comes out of them but when I plug in headphones, the sound works just fine. I haven’t dropped or spilled anything on my computer. I can’t remember when the last time I heard sound out of the speakers–approximately two weeks ago? (I usually use head phones.) Any ideas what it could be or how I fix it?”

My apologies for the difficulty you have had with your speakers.

First, take a look at http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/1e87a3e8-c0e8-49af-980f-9eb6686f42d21033.mspx#EI – it could be that the settings for your speakers in the Sound control panel is off. 

Next, many laptops feature a function (F) key combination that toggles speakers on and off – take a look if your laptop keyboard has an F-key linked to audio or speaker controls and try pressing alt-Fkey to turn the speakers on and off.

For future, immediate self help, you may wish to use the search feature at http://search.live.com/, http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/cu_inventory, or visit the main Microsoft Support page at http://support.microsoft.com/.  In the US, you may also use one of the free customer support features such as real-time chat at http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/cu_sc_more_master#tab1.