Why am I being forced to Subscribe to Office 365?

Hi Rohn007

It is 99% scam alright but this spam was executed by either Microsoft or Lenovo. I say this because I figured out how they scammed me to unknowingly subscribe to Office 365.

I just bought 3 Lenovo Laptops for myself and my two boys. My younger son's laptop arrived first and I set it up about 3 weeks ago. It came with Office 365 already installed; I didn't think too much about that because they usually ship new computers with limited time use of MS Office until you purchase a license. 

It was about a week or two after I setup my son's new Lenovo that I received the first email to renew my Office 365 subscription. I wondered "what subscription? I never subscribed to Office 365"! That was when I posted my first complaint.

Rohn007's response almost convinced me that I was scammed until my laptop arrived and I began to set it up. I realized that during setup of my son's computer I was forced to subscribe to office 365 without knowing it. The picture of my screen during set up explains how the fraud was designed:

As you can see on this screen, the ONLY CHOICE you can click is the "Got it"; and once you click it you are subscribed to Office 365 without knowing it. THIS IS FRAUD! If you and I (ordinary people trick others as Microsoft or Lenovo has done here; we'll be prosecuted and locked up!

After unknowingly subscribing, the first time you open any of the office apps, you get this:

Once you click on Accept, then you are agreeing to subscribe to office 365! I think this is very fraudulent! If a class action law suite arises from this, I definitely will join.

I was so angry with the tricks Microsoft or Lenovo played on me here that I don't want any part of Office 365. So I ordered 2019 MS Office plus through Enterprise (I'm a school teacher, so it was sold to me at a discounted price of $109). After a lot of issues such as "ISS 7 or greater is needed...", a server was installed on my computer and each time I need to, say, just type a letter I have to go through somebody's server to do so; and if the internet is down, then forget about typing the letter altogether.

Since Microsoft wants and has monopoly over word processing software, then Microsoft should understand that word processing software is basic to everyone these days and should be made affordable and available to ordinary citizens. It seems to me as if Microsoft is treating office as a high end expensive Professional software, such as AutoCad, which people and even some corporations can't afford to buy but rent.

Even though WordPerfect is not popular, I plan to take a look at it to see I can find an alternative to Microsoft.

You are not being forced to switch to 365, yet. But you are most likely being spammed by MS to "upgrade" to the 365 cash cow.

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Would you be willing to share the email with us so we can look at it.

I must agree with the community on this one. Although the SaaS model has now infected the world ( along with Covid ) the fact that we now must "rent" home use software goes a long way to opening the door to a viable competitor. ( crickets ) 

Beyond the SaaS obstacle, the bigger issue to me is the obstacles in using it. Each and every time I open up my Microsoft laptop, it tells me I'm expired and need to re-validate. This isn't in any way a security issue but rather is a huge gap in the way this deploys- regardless, its a pain and reminds me that my work is rented.

Curious as to any responses out here.

Got to love MS "marketing" and automation. They make all of the decisions for you, without telling you the consequences. Thanks for sharing this experience.

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What you describe is a "glorious" example of PT Barnum marketing in the computer age by a modern "robber baron" (hint, I'm thinking of MS!)

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One thing has me puzzled. Office 365 subscriptions require a credit card number to complete the activation. How in this automated <scam?> process did they get yours? Actually, on further thought, I SUSPECT your subscription is being run through Lenovo rather than MS directly. Lenvo would probably already have your credit card associated with the computer purchase.  MS has recently started "sharing" 365 sales with vendors so that the vendors get a slice of the subscription renewals.  If that is the case, you will have to talk to Lenovo to cancel the subscription.

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Log in to the MyAccount page to get an idea if MS or Lenovo has your account

Consumer- MyAccount home page https://account.microsoft.com/ ****

Screen Captures of the MyAccount Site - 365 Installation Instructions

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/msoffice/forum/msoffice_install-mso_win10-mso_365hp/screen-captures-of-the-consumer-myaccount-site-365/3ee4b321-d732-4120-8ca8-0d908513108c?tm=1590699578913

This is a collection of screen captures of the MyAccount site to give you an idea of what to expect and where to look for certain things.

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In theory you can cancel the 365 subscription(s) within 30 days for a full refund. Getting that to work appears to be a bit of a trick these days, often requiring a phone call to MS Support to complete it.  Have you done that?

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Refund - Contact Support – Cancel Order

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4027815

Check out answers to some common questions:

·      Track your order from MS Store

·      Cancel or turn off recurring billing for a Microsoft subscription (and get refunds)

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You are lucky to get Office Pro Plus through the school. At the price you cited, it does not sound like the HUP, Home Use Program, so you may be "OK" when you no longer work for the company.  The HUP is tied to your employment, when you leave the employer, you lose the right to use any licensees you bought through the HUP

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Your experience is a good example of why it is a bad idea to use "Microsoft Accounts" in Windows.  That is email accounts to sign in to Windows.  Especially when installing Windows and/or Office and/or setting up a new computer.

<snip https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1485796/trivia >

Barnum's American Museum was so popular that the crowds inside would linger much too long, thereby cutting into profits. To make way for additional paying customers, he posted signs indicating "This Way to the Egress." Unaware that "Egress" was another word for "Exit," people followed the signs to what they assumed was a fascinating exhibit, and they ended up going outside.

</snip>

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Wow, it was surprisingly hard to find a good citation for that quote.  Along the way I found another PT Barnism that I particularly like (so does a certain chief executive of a large country"

<snip https://quoteinvestigator.com/category/p-t-barnum/ >

No One in This World Has Ever Lost Money by Underestimating the Intelligence of the Great Masses of the Plain People

</snip>

a simpler variation of that quote is

<snip>

No one ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American public.

</snip>

You are not being forced to switch to 365, yet. But you are most likely being spammed by MS to "upgrade" to the 365 cash cow.

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Would you be willing to share the email with us so we can look at it.

7/27/2020 Mail - Michael Dentey - Outlook

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Microsoft 365

Renew your Microsoft 365 subscription today

Microsoft 365 <******@email.microsoft365.com>

Fri 7/24/2020 2:37 PM

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It’s not too late | View in browser

Renew Microsoft 365 today

In case you missed it, your Office 365 Personal subscription has a new name:

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Your Microsoft 365 Personal subscription will expire on August 07, 2020. After

this date, you will no longer be able to edit files with your desktop apps—you’ll

only be able to view and print.

Renew today to continue enjoying full access to always up-to-date Office apps,

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7/27/2020 Mail - Michael Dentey - Outlook

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