So I bought Windows 7, installed it, now I don't want it

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Returning opened Microsoft products can be challenging, as many stores do not accept returns for opened software. However, Microsoft may offer refunds under certain conditions. The process typically involves checking their refund policy, which suggests that refunds might be available if the software is defective or fails to work properly. Consumer laws in some states may support refunds for opened software, but this varies by location. A notable case, Baker v. Microsoft, indicated that if Microsoft agrees to refund the purchase price and shipping costs, retailers may be absolved of responsibility for returns. Users experiencing compatibility issues with Windows on a Mac, particularly with Boot Camp, may consider alternative solutions like virtualization software. Microsoft provides a 45-day trial period for some products, allowing users to return the software if necessary, provided they adhere to the specific requirements outlined in the refund policy.
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Am I screwed? I made an inquiry at the store where I bought it figuring they would not take it back since it was opened; I was right. They said that Microsoft would take it back for me and refund my money. I thought "yeah...sure they will."

Anyone have any luck taking back open MS products? I don't even know where I would start. I am going to poke around their site now.

And for anyone who is curious as to why I am returning it: It is not that I don't like it. I installed on my Mac and I am running into some compatibility issues with Boot Camp. It has been rumored that support for Win7 with Boot Camp is coming out by the year's end...but I am impatient.


Edit: http://www.microsoft.com/mscorp/productrefund/refund.mspx" looks kind of promising.
 
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Well, it is a Macintosh so it is not that easy. It is not a simple upgrade or download. You need a 'full install from disc.' But I like the link anyway rootX. I am going to take a closer look at it now. Can any student take advantage? Or does your actual school have to take part in it?
 
Saladsamurai said:
Well, it is a Macintosh so it is not that easy. It is not a simple upgrade or download. You need a 'full install from disc.' But I like the link anyway rootX. I am going to take a closer look at it now. Can any student take advantage? Or does your actual school have to take part in it?

Schools have to take part in it and then students get most of the MS softwares for free. Second one is dreamspark:
https://www.dreamspark.com/default.aspx
 
rootX said:
Schools have to take part in it and then students get most of the MS softwares for free. Second one is dreamspark:
https://www.dreamspark.com/default.aspx

Yeah. Just read the rules. I don't think my school os part of it as it looks like we have our own software subsidization program. :( Ours isn't so bad though. But I don't think we are given perpetual licenses.
 
Saladsamurai said:
Am I screwed? I made an inquiry at the store where I bought it figuring they would not take it back since it was opened; I was right. They said that Microsoft would take it back for me and refund my money. I thought "yeah...sure they will."

Anyone have any luck taking back open MS products? I don't even know where I would start. I am going to poke around their site now.

And for anyone who is curious as to why I am returning it: It is not that I don't like it. I installed on my Mac and I am running into some compatibility issues with Boot Camp. It has been rumored that support for Win7 with Boot Camp is coming out by the year's end...but I am impatient.


Edit: http://www.microsoft.com/mscorp/productrefund/refund.mspx" looks kind of promising.
i have windows 7 don't really know the difference between it and xp, besides the fact you can shake your windows and minimize them...
 
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Saladsamurai said:
I made an inquiry at the store where I bought it figuring they would not take it back since it was opened; I was right. They said that Microsoft would take it back for me and refund my money. I thought "yeah...sure they will."
Microsoft will probably take it back, refunding you purchase price and the shipping costs as well, depending on where you live.

In most states in the USA, consumer laws regarding refunds don't make exceptions for opened software. These opened software policies are done at the behest of the software makers, and technically violate the consumer laws of many states in the USA. Technically, the store where you bought it from is responsible for the refund, but in court case settled a few years ago in California, 'Baker v Microsoft', the settlement stated that if the software companies would refund the money the purchase price and the cost to return the software (shipping costs), then the stores would be off the hook. In this particular case the issue was a disagreement over the EULA, but the cited consumer laws aren't specific to EULA's, and it's my understanding that it's a general policy.

In the case of 'defective' software being returned, I don't know what the time period is, but typically it's 30 days. In some cases with complex software it may be longer than that, but usually such complex software involves written contracts.

The full text of this settlement is available via an archive.org way back machine link:

http://web.archive.org/web/20070801015845/http://www.techfirm.com/Baker-Final.pdf
 
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I know I'm being unhelpful with this but:

Saladsamurai said:
I installed on my Mac...

That's your problem right there.


As others have stated, your best bet is MS. May as well try, the worst they can say is no.
 
xxChrisxx said:
I know I'm being unhelpful with this but:



That's your problem right there.


As others have stated, your best bet is MS. May as well try, the worst they can say is no.

Why I oughta' ...

Yeah. It seems like I have a 45 day trial period. Then I can send it to MS if necessary. I might try some virtualization software like VM Ware. Students get it for cheap :)

And I like PC as much as Mac. That's why I own both. Just trying to consolidate here.
 
  • #10
Saladsamurai said:
Why I oughta' ...

Yeah. It seems like I have a 45 day trial period. Then I can send it to MS if necessary. I might try some virtualization software like VM Ware. Students get it for cheap :)

And I like PC as much as Mac. That's why I own both. Just trying to consolidate here.

If you want to run Windows on top of your Mac OS, after booting to your Mac, I recommend Virtual Box. See http://www.virtualbox.org/ and http://blogs.sun.com/fatbloke/entry/windows_7_on_virtualbox. It's free, it's easy, and it works.

is supposedly a walk-through, but I didn't watch :-p.
 
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  • #11
Linux *KOFF KOFF*
+ I would consider dual booting if you like them both.
If you have to use virtualization, i would use virtual box.
 
  • #12
Saladsamurai said:
Am I screwed? I made an inquiry at the store where I bought it figuring they would not take it back since it was opened; I was right. They said that Microsoft would take it back for me and refund my money. I thought "yeah...sure they will."

Anyone have any luck taking back open MS products? I don't even know where I would start. I am going to poke around their site now.

And for anyone who is curious as to why I am returning it: It is not that I don't like it. I installed on my Mac and I am running into some compatibility issues with Boot Camp. It has been rumored that support for Win7 with Boot Camp is coming out by the year's end...but I am impatient.


Edit: http://www.microsoft.com/mscorp/productrefund/refund.mspx" looks kind of promising.

Check out Windows 7 terms and conditions, they only refund if the OS fails to work or it has resulted in data loss directly caused by the software.

I don't think you will get a refund.

Linux is more compatible with MAC..there's a guide on how to do it with Ubuntu and Ubuntu's for free.
 
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  • #13
Saladsamurai said:
Am I screwed?

...


Edit: http://www.microsoft.com/mscorp/productrefund/refund.mspx" looks kind of promising.

No, you're not screwed, as they do offer a 45-day refund. Just cross your t's and dot your i's on all requirements of their policy!
 
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