Your tech support call could be free

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I am embarrassed that I didn't know this until a recent (and very passionate) internal email discussion on customer support brought it up, but if I didn't know...maybe you didn't either?

  • If you installed Windows XP on your computer (it didn't come with the computer when you purchased it), your first 2 support requests submitted online or by a phone call are free. And if you bought Windows XP and are having trouble installing it, phone support for installation is unlimited.
    Get Windows XP help
  • Having troubles with Windows Update? Unlimited free support by email, with a response time of 1 business day.
    Get Windows Update help

I've never called or emailed Microsoft for help with my home computer because I thought there was always a cost. (Well, plus because I felt I should be able to figure out any problem myself -- I work there after all!) So I've probably spent many hours troubleshooting issues that the support experts could have handled much more quickly. I'll bet that the support option was mentioned in the product documentation or on the box as well, and I'm guilty of not reading it. I should probably retitle this, "The Hubris of Working at Microsoft".