Microsoft puts a little money where its mouth is

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Afraid Microsoft's anti-spyware will muck up your hard drive, erasing your digital photos, music collection and work files?

Don't worry, you've got a $5 rebate coming your way in this worst-case scenario--enough to buy five songs on iTunes. That is, if you read and take advantage of Microsoft's legal promise. According to the AntiSpyware Beta end-user license agreement (EULA), Microsoft will reimburse direct damages up to $5 for problems associated with the new downloadable tool that wards off spyware, adware and any other "potentially unwanted software."

"It also applies even if Microsoft knew or should have known about the possibility of the damages," states the agreement, in all capital letters. Most people's eyes glaze over when it comes time to read a software license agreement and simply click "yes" to authorize a new program to install. There are undoubtedly necessary tidbits of knowledge contained in the lines of legalese, such as whether one's privacy will be sacrificed in the name of annoying advertising. Still, most people skip to the end.

News source: C|Net News.com

What's new

A new selection command “Select Group” – select similar files. E.g. pic001.jpg, pic002.jpg….
A new command “Command Prompt” in the "Tools" menu. It opens a command prompt for the current folder.
Multi-Rename Dialog – replace command can replace all occurrences of a string
A new Multi-Rename Mode. “Insert” insert a string on a specified position in the file name.
An option to disable the calculation of the folder sizes.
A new set of quick move commands. (In “Edit” popup menu)
“Move to tabs” – shows a popup menu to move the selected files to one the folders open by ExplorerXP
“Move to subfolder” – shows a popup menu to move the selected files to a subfolder of the current folder.
“Move to groups” – shows a popup menu to move the selected files to a folder from the groups.
“Move to Parent” - shows a popup menu to move the selected files to the parent folder.

(1 reply) #1 idoia on 25 Feb 2005 - 15:36

Where / How do I apply for my € 5 EUROS?

Last edited by 38004 on 25 Feb 2005 - 15:44

#1.1 take_the_veil on 25 Feb 2005 - 15:55

Read the EULA

(3 replies) #2 Hills420 on 25 Feb 2005 - 16:09

Only $5? Big deal.

#2.1 Jason on 25 Feb 2005 - 21:32

How much do the other antispyware companies give you ?

#2.2 Jason on 25 Feb 2005 - 21:38

duplicate

#2.3 Jugalator on 26 Feb 2005 - 12:26

"How much do the other antispyware companies give you ?"

Nothing? Still, it's of course no big deal. Too much trouble for a totally insignificant amount of money.

#3 quanta on 25 Feb 2005 - 16:22

Just want to point out that this is the default amount of legal liability for most software packages. It's the same legal boilerplate you'll see in EULAs in Windows, Office, etc. Actually, it's a refund worth the "total value of the software or five US dollars, whichever is greater".

And since AntiSpyware is free...

(7 replies) #4 SlakeT on 25 Feb 2005 - 16:26

Nice comment

QUOTE

enough to buy five songs on iTunes

Isn't it obvious the intent of this writer? Another shinning example of C|net's crap writers.

#4.1 mx3 on 25 Feb 2005 - 17:46

Yeah, when I read that I said "huh?" I mean that was completely random.

#4.2 fubarshibby on 25 Feb 2005 - 18:35

It wasn't random at all.. The writer said that if your documents and/or music gets erased, now you'll have enough money to buy five songs on iTunes, so that you can start off replacing your music collection.

#4.3 threedaysdwn on 25 Feb 2005 - 21:17

Yeah but where did they come up with the music thing anyway?

They're trying to start a scare with made-up rumors about AntiSpyware deleting your stuff, which of course is absurd.

#4.4 Coolme on 25 Feb 2005 - 21:54

Chill.. they were just using it as an example to demonstrate a possible scenario.

#4.5 Mhi on 25 Feb 2005 - 23:40

calm down they are just saying thats all 5 dollars is worth on the internet.

#4.6 shao on 28 Feb 2005 - 08:51

five dollars wouldn't buy you **** over here in the UK, certainly not 5 songs on iTunes! damn you APPL£!!

#4.7 shao on 28 Feb 2005 - 08:54

(1 reply) #5 MrMunka on 25 Feb 2005 - 16:41

You know, I've not had one problem with this program, and I've been using it sence it came out. I'm accually quite impressed with it and will continue using it. Never once has it said anything about my music, pictures or anything of that sort, I'm curious, how many people here have had this problem?

#5.1 EduardValencia on 25 Feb 2005 - 16:58

agree,i'll keep using it despite all anti-microsoft propaganda

(3 replies) #6 SapUMBC on 25 Feb 2005 - 16:42

Yes, because if one of MS' programs ends up deleting hundreds of priceless family photos or important documents (because yes, most average people will not back these things up, ever), then $5 is really worth going after. Too litte to be worth the hassle.

#6.1 StuRReaL on 25 Feb 2005 - 17:11

I agree with your point however, people must backup AND they did decide to risk the beta release so they should know the potential risks of a beta application

#6.2 SapUMBC on 25 Feb 2005 - 19:05

People must wear seatbelts, must not drink and drive, etc.

#6.3 mr_da3m0n on 25 Feb 2005 - 19:40

Somehow I think they mention 5 dollars so that people would not ask for more.

#7 goatsniffer on 25 Feb 2005 - 17:08

MS is just tierd of getting sued by retards who want compensation for their lost files when something on their computer goes wrong.

They aren't putting that there because that has been known to happen, but because if that does happen for some reason, they can't blame it on microsoft software.

(2 replies) #8 .:Neo.X.WinFreak:. on 25 Feb 2005 - 17:59

mmmh... better than nothing... the thingy is supposed to be free and if it damages ur system and data gets lost u get 5 dollars... actually nice one

im glad to see ms finally got that all those magazines including knoppix and stuff in their mags, saying knoppix is way more secure and so on. they got that they have to integrate software to be more protected... started from xp, sp2 over to this antispyware and the planned antivirus tool based on the antivirus experiences of two successful companies... i guess that ms is starting to care more about the security on ms systems... nice one

-fm

#8.1 SniperX on 26 Feb 2005 - 08:46

Sorry, wrong spot.

#8.2 chacho on 26 Feb 2005 - 20:08

Where the **** did Knoppix come from?

Stupid troll.

(1 reply) #9 amdme3200 on 25 Feb 2005 - 21:03

Hum its a beta come on have a back up of your files if it's means that much to people.

#9.1 shao on 28 Feb 2005 - 08:58

and you do get the option of creating restore points beforehand

#10 _//_TechTV on 25 Feb 2005 - 21:30

Hasn't this been in the Microsoft EULA's for a while now?

#11 rIaHc3 on 25 Feb 2005 - 21:56

Accually some .JPGs/.MPGs of mine got erased..........I dont know if its connected or not

#12 robpears on 25 Feb 2005 - 22:04

lol woot

#13 Samoa on 25 Feb 2005 - 22:50

I want my Five.

#14 amradiar on 25 Feb 2005 - 23:09

oh it deleted my adware and files infected with spyware?! wheres my5 bucks! oooh its american too almost $6 canadian!

#15 defcon7 on 26 Feb 2005 - 03:27

Oh please, has no one here ever installed beta software before? Besides the fact that it's called Antispyware BETA, MS's EULA for all beta programs involves the same caveat that they'll only cover $5 worth of damages. So stop all the whining. If you don't want to risk your system, don't install beta software.

#16 Treefrog on 26 Feb 2005 - 04:18

This is a nice little spin they've got going now. Since $5 is not really worth the paperwork to fill out and send in I predict they will use the (very small) number of people who do as a statistic to show how "reliable" their software is. Just wait for it. Either that or it will open up a crack in thier EULA to allow them to be sued for millions under the right circumstances since they are claiming to guarantee a monetary reimbursement (court could rule the $5 amount unfair and refuse to enforce that amount in the agreement).

(1 reply) #17 shichiroji4 on 26 Feb 2005 - 07:50

Considering M$ products have a history of wrecking havoc, it's a joke that they are offering $5. I can't see how anyone is silly enuff to risk their entire harddrive contents based on a $5 gurantee. It's real cheapskate and nothing but a lame gimick.

#17.1 SquareSoft0 on 26 Feb 2005 - 08:12

shichi, you're fired. Do I have to order the guards to take you away? Neowin's new troll is AJCrowley Esq; though he may not post as much, he has quality troll posts.

#18 timmmay on 26 Feb 2005 - 10:22

hahaha u gotta be kidding me?? $5!!!

(1 reply) #19 TGD on 26 Feb 2005 - 17:40

Has Antispyware ever deleted somebodies music collection?

#19.1 Cryptic_Night on 26 Feb 2005 - 21:29

My friends computer actually. I laughed.

#20 Porp on 26 Feb 2005 - 18:54

Nice. =)

I love the program!

#21 chacho on 26 Feb 2005 - 20:09

Maybe this shows their confidence in their program?

kidding

#22 xthedarkx on 27 Feb 2005 - 21:33

Hey its free. It works fine for me. If your daft enough not to have back ups while using BETA software then use the $5 to get a life. LOL Microsoft cant win with some people even when they do their best to get things right.

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