Printing MS EULA a no-no

By James Gaskin, NetworkWorld.com, 11/22/04

When I installed Windows XP on the PC I'm building, it immediately wanted to upgrade itself to SP2. I gave it permission, figuring I could isolate this machine and erase the disks (the SATA disks I'm testing from Accordance) if anything goes wrong.

Before installation, Microsoft parades the EULA (End User License Agreement) to the upgrade on the screen. Aha! I say, thinking of the fun we've had talking to Microsoft about these agreements. I'll print it and look at it in depth.

Oops, can't do it. Microsoft doesn't offer any way to print the EULA, even though other companies do all the time. In fact, I'm sure I've seen Microsoft offer a printing function as well, but perhaps I'm dreaming.

I hope the SP2 EULA isn't a nightmare, because there was no way for me to print the thing and examine it before agreeing to install the software. And MS1 and MS2, spokespeole from Microsoft afraid to give their real names in print, don't want to talk to me anymore.

Fingers crossed I continue to use SP2, and hope the new security keeps me safe from Microsoft lawyers as well as viruses and worms.

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Comments

you can't do a cut and paste on the thing? what about doing an Edit/Select all or Save (Page) As? You gotta ask MS about this---the idea that it prevents you from printing a licensing agreement is....dirty business.

Posted by: toni kistner on November 23, 2004 08:44 AM