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Support.microsoft.com: One-stop for help and support

Over the last few days, I’ve answered these two questions multiple times:


Where do I go to get more info on Windows XP Service Pack 2?


Where can I find the latest update to Office 2003 ? (BTW, that would be Service Pack 2, aka SP2.)


If you’re looking for help on one of Microsoft’s many products that you purchased for your PC, start your search at http://support.microsoft.com/, your first stop on getting the help you need with your Microsoft products.


For example, if you have a question about your computer with Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition installed that you purchased through a retailer or directly from a computer manufacturer (OEM) in the US, you should first contact the computer manufacturer. In my personal experiences, the on-line prodcts support sites at Dell, HP and Gateway have been very helpful when diagnosiing issues I’ve had with computers at home. And Microsoft provides two support requests submitted online (by email or IM chat) or by phone at no charge (see the support page for detail).


Microsoft offers no-charge virus and security-related support online for home users, dedicated to help you obtain support for security-related issues such as viruses and security updates. Call 1-866-PCSAFETY (1-866-727-2338) for virus and other security-related support. It is available 24 hours a day for the U.S. and Canada. For phone numbers outside of the U.S. and Canada, just select your region.


More info…




  • Post support questions to newsgroups and collaborate with others who use our products, including Microsoft Most Valuable Professionals (MVPs).


  • TechNet provides detailed How-To information for IT professionals about Microsoft products.


  • MSDN provides detailed information for development professionals about Microsoft products.


  • Post support questions to newsgroups and collaborate with others who use our products, including Microsoft Most Valuable Professionals (MVPs).


  • Search the Knowledge Base to use keywords and search Microsoft’s Knowledge Base of articles for more information.

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    4 replies on “Support.microsoft.com: One-stop for help and support”

    One-Stop? You’re kidding of course – right?

    Microsoft’s "Help & Support" is spewed all over microsoft.com — as a Microsoft consultant I’ve done my best to collect your various support resources here:

    http://spaces.msn.com/bhandler/Blog/cns!1pt1v0Q4vD8jSvNS4lqdAuug!429.entry

    Thanks for your comment. And no, I’m not kidding.

    I look at Support as "one stop" for getting support on Microsoft products, not just the only one. That’s why I said that it’s a good first step.

    But you raise a good point, as illustrated in your MSN Spaces entry, on the number of places that you can get different types of information on Microsoft web sites. Having a catch-all page and index for information would be a good approach. As you noted, the "SUPPORT CENTER" (support.microsoft.com/*) is the place "for general troubleshooting."

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