You can explore the community and search for solutions without joining. If you want to post or receive email notifications, you'll need to sign up.
Sign in with a Microsoft account: If you already have an Outlook.com account, a Hotmail account, a Messenger account, or an Xbox Live account, you already have a Microsoft account. Just sign in with your account name and password.
If you do not already have a Microsoft account, click Sign up now. You will be taken to the Create an account page.
Sign in with an Office 365 account: If you have an Office 365 account provided by your work or school, you may select this option. Just sign in with your account name and password.
Search first. There's a good chance that someone has already written about the topic you have in mind.
Absolutely. There are a number of ways to narrow your search:
Go to any category list page and select a topic or sub-topic in the dropdowns, and then click Apply. You'll be searching with those filters. If you don't find what you need, you can remove the filters in the search results window to widen your search.
You can also select a content type: Questions, Discussions, or Forum Articles.
If you find the same question you wanted to ask in the forum, but it hasn't been answered yet, click the I have the same question button. That way you'll be notified via email when your question has been answered.
Note: You can click I have the same question even if the question is answered, to get updates on that thread.
back to topThere are a lot of posts replying to my question. How do I know which is the best?Posts that contain an answer to the question will be marked as an answer by the original poster or a moderator and will be denoted by A: or Answer: depending on the language.
You can also look for posts with a high number of Did this resolve your issue? votes, even if they haven't been marked as answers yet.
back to topIf you've searched the community and you can't find a question or topic that is the same or similar to yours, it's time to post your own.
Click the Participate menu and then click Ask a Question or Start a Discussion.
Note: You must be signed in to post a question or a discussion.
back to topWhat is the difference between a question post and a discussion post?Question posts are used to get an answer or solution to a specific question or issue.
Discussion posts are used to share opinions, discuss tips and tricks, and chat about Microsoft technologies.
Both types of posts have the same formatting and similar options. The most noticeable exception is that no answer-marking is needed or available on discussion posts.
back to topHow can I edit a question or discussion I've posted?Yes, if no one has replied to it.
If other users have replied to your post, you can't delete the post unless the other users delete all their replies first.
back to topNo one replied to my question or discussion. Should I post it again?No. Posting the same question or discussion multiple times creates distraction. Just wait, someone will reply, and you'll be notified when it happens.
back to topCan I get notified when someone responds to a question or discussion?Yes. Click the ellipsis and then click Subscribe. If you didn't provide an email address at sign-in, you'll have the opportunity to provide one when you click Subscribe.
back to topHow do I stop getting notified when someone responds to a question or discussion?Go to the original post. Click the ellipsis and then click Unsubscribe.
back to topI had a question and somebody else posted the answer. How do I mark it as Answered?If you posted the original question, you can mark the question as answered yourself. Just click Yes to Did this resolve your issue? on the response.
If you didn't post the original question, you can still mark Yes to Did this resolve your issue? to upvote the post.
back to topI had a question and marked a response as "Answered," but then I found out it was wrong. What should I do?Go to the response. Click the ellipsis and then click Unmark as answer.
back to topI had a question and I posted the right answer. Can I mark it as Answered?No one can mark their own post as an answer. Only the person who posted the original question (if it is someone else) or a moderator can mark as post as Answered.
back to topI found a great discussion, how do mark it?You can follow the discussion and let others know it’s worthwhile by clicking I recommend this discussion button.
If you like a specific reply in a discussion, click Upvote.
back to topNote: You must be signed in to post a reply.
back to topWhat does "Reply with quote" mean?When you check this box, your reply will be posted with the content of the post you are replying to
back to topHow can I edit a response I've posted?Yes. Please read our Code of Conduct for using the community.
back to topHow do I report abuse?If someone has posted content that is abusive, offensive, threatening, or otherwise violates the Microsoft Community Code of Conduct, you can report it.
A Microsoft representative will review your report and decide how to proceed.
Note: You must be signed in to report abuse.
back to topI answer a lot of threads. Are there any tools to help me find the topics I’m interested in?Yes. Use the advanced thread list filters to find threads that were posted within a defined timeframe. These filters appear in addition to other forum filters. You can use sorting options as well.
back to topI was notified that I have a private message, what does that mean?Only a Microsoft moderator can start a private message. If you receive a private message, it means that the moderator needs to address your question or issue in private or requires information that may be more personal (such as an email address or account details). Only you and Microsoft moderators can see the contents of the private message - other community members cannot see it.
Yes, forum articles accept comments so that you can share your thoughts on the article.
Yes. Click the ellipsis and then click Subscribe. If you didn't provide an email address at sign-in, you'll have the opportunity to provide one when you click Subscribe.
How do I recommend a forum article that really helped me?You can follow the article and let others know it’s worthwhile by clicking Upvote.
Note: You must be signed in to participate.
Click your screen name anywhere it appears in the community (for example, in one of your posts or questions, or at the top of any page) to get to your profile page.
back to topWhat's on my profile?Profile pageThe personal profile information that you choose to share will appear to all users on the Profile tab.
The totals displayed on your Statistics section represent the actual number of actions you performed since you joined the community.
Note: Totals do not reflect any posts that were deleted by you or by a moderator.
Activity sectionAll the threads and forum articles that you participated in, voted for, or are subscribed to appear on your Activity section.
From the Edit profile view, you can:
Click the Edit profile button on your profile page. Change your publicly facing profile information, subscribe to email notifications. When you've finished editing your profile, click Save.
back to topHow do I delete my profile?You can delete your profile from this community, but keep in mind that it will also be deleted on all communities that use this profile. The communities that use this profile are Microsoft Community and Microsoft Training, Certification, and Program Support Community.
When you delete your profile, all of your posts, awards, votes, and subscriptions will be permanently disassociated from your profile. The profile name will become “A.User” and the profile details and signature line will be removed.
Note: Once a profile has been deleted, it cannot be restored.
No. You can use a picture that you own (for example, a picture of your cat or dog) or a picture in the public domain, like license-free clip-art or photographs.
Please read our Code of Conduct to make sure your profile picture is appropriate.
back to topHow do I get badges and weekly awards on my profile page?They will appear automatically as they are earned. To learn about the badges you can earn, see Building your reputation, below.
back to topCan I see other people's profiles?Yes. There are two ways to view another community member's profile.
You can start earning badges with your very first answer and continue building your reputation every time you ask a question, post a reply, or vote for something helpful. All of your badges appear on your profile and help others understand your level of community involvement.
AccomplishmentsThese badges are awarded to community members who have demonstrated a long-term commitment to helping build a community of high-quality content in a safe and healthy environment.
This is an ongoing, dynamic process. Badges earned for accomplishments can be lost if your community activity no longer meets the badge criteria.
MCC: Content Creator badgeEach time one of your question and answer posts is marked as Helped by this reply or Answer, you get a vote toward your Content Creator badge. When you have a high enough percentage of posts marked, you'll get your badge.
Benefits of being a Content Creator:
When you mark a question and answer post as Solved my issue, or, recommend or upvote a forum article or discussion post, you have started on the path to a Content Curator badge. If enough of the posts and articles (in any combination) that you have voted for end up as answers or as the most upvoted or recommended post and articles in that category, you'll get your badge.
Benefits of being a Content Curator:
Every time you report legitimate abuse in the community, you get a vote toward your Guardian badge. When you have reported enough confirmed cases of abuse and accurately pointed out the type of abuse, you'll get your badge. Reporting content that is not actual abuse will not get you votes and will slow your progress toward earning this badge.
Benefits of being a Guardian:
Publishers are Forum Article Authors who have published numerous articles, many of which the community has identified as especially helpful.
back to top The Conversationalist badgeConversationalists are community members who have consistently started and participated in discussion threads. Many of the discussion threads they’ve started are highly recommended by other members of the community.
back to topAwardsEvery week we recognize the contributions of our community members with badges awarded for the best content or noteworthy participation in each category. These award badges are yours to keep and cannot be lost.
The First Answer badgeThe first time one of your question and answer posts is marked as an Answer, a First Answer badge will appear in your profile.
back to top The Quickest Answer badgeThis badge is awarded to the person who posts to a question and answer thread in the shortest amount time after a user asks a question and which is marked Answer either by the person who asked the question or by a moderator in the past week.
The Helpful Post of the Week badgeThis badge is awarded to the person whose question and answer post gets the most Helped by this reply votes in each week (minimum 5 votes). Every week this badge will be awarded to a poster in each category.
back to top The Most Important Answer of the Week badgeThis badge is awarded to the person whose question and answer post gets the most "I have the same question" votes in each week and is subsequently marked Answer. Every week this badge will be awarded to a poster in each category.
back to top The Most Answers for the Week badgeThis badge is awarded to the person who creates the greatest number of question and answer posts marked Answer in each week.
back to top The Most Recommended Discussion badgeThis badge is awarded to the person whose discussion thread gets the most “Recommended” votes in a given week. Every week this badge will be awarded in each category.
back to top The Completed Training badgeThis badge is awarded to community members who have voluntarily completed training courses and learning opportunities provided through the community. This badge can be earned more than once for completing training in different categories.
back to top The Launch Expert badgeThis badge is awarded to community members who have made significant contributions to the community during the launch of a Microsoft product or service. This badge can be earned more than once for contributions to multiple categories.
back to topRetired badgesWe appreciate the contributions of community members from integrated Microsoft communities. The following badges were achieved on previous Microsoft communities and are no longer active. Microsoft Mobile Community
Mobile Contributor
Mobile Advisor
Mobile Counsellor
Mobile Sage
Mobile Professor
Mobile Visionary
Mobile Guru
Mobile Sensei
Mobile Legend
Mobile Contributor of the Month
Office 365 for Business Community
Bronze, Silver, and Gold Answerer
Bronze, Silver, and Gold Curator
Bronze, Silver, and Gold Discussion Starter
Bronze, Silver, and Gold Helpful
Community Contributor
Volunteer Moderators are community leaders who share their experience by answering questions and keeping the community healthy and fun. Volunteer Moderators are members of the community, not Microsoft employees. People who make extraordinary contributions to the community may be asked to be Volunteer Moderators.
back to topMicrosoft AgentsMicrosoft Agents are experts who are engaged by Microsoft to answer your questions.
back to topModeratorsModerators are experts engaged by Microsoft to mark the best answers, manage abuse, and maintain community health.
back to topIndependent AdvisorsIndependent Advisors are freelancers in the community who use their proven skills and experience to answer technical questions in defined categories.
back to topMicrosoft EmployeesMicrosoft Employees participating in the community have a badge that says Microsoft. These community members may work in the community, or they may be general employees who choose to participate.
back to topForum OwnersForum Owners are Microsoft employees or Microsoft agents in charge of a particular category. Forum Owners are ultimately responsible for the health of the category.
back to topArticle AuthorsArticle Authors are community members who have demonstrated outstanding written and technical skills. Article Authors have the ability to create and manage their own forum articles in Microsoft Community.
back to topMVPsMost Valuable Professionals (MVPs) are technology experts who’ve demonstrated a commitment to helping others by sharing their passion, knowledge, and expertise with the community. Find out more about the Microsoft MVP program and the Xbox MVP program.
back to topWindows InsidersRegistered members of the Windows Insider Program are technology enthusiasts who have early access to releases in order to help improve the features and functionality of Windows. Learn what you can do as an Insider.
back to topXbox AmbassadorsXbox Ambassadors are loyal and passionate fans of Xbox gaming who are recognized for helping create a positive, inclusive, and enjoyable experience for all gamers in the community.
back to topTo take advantage of all Microsoft Community features, use a supported browser.
In general, Microsoft Community supports the current and previous major releases of each browser. This enables us to provide new features made possible by modern browser technologies.
back to topIs the community mobile-friendly?Yes, the community uses responsive web design to scale the webpage to the right size for your device. To expand a menu in the tablet or mobile device experience, simply tap on it. Some advanced features might not be available in the tablet or mobile device experience due to space constraints.
back to topThis Code of Conduct applies to all users of the Microsoft Community.
The Community includes forums, blogs and other community features.
Member QualificationsThe community is designed for individuals 13 years of age or older.
As a participant of these forums you agree that you will uphold this Code of Conduct, and are responsible for all activities and content you post/upload.
In addition to upholding this Code of Conduct, you are responsible for adhering to all applicable local and national laws.
This is your community. Help us to keep it safe, friendly, fun and helpful.
back to topPlease do:Microsoft reserves the right, at its sole discretion, and without any obligation to do so, to review and remove user-created services and content at will and without notice, and delete content and accounts. Microsoft reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to permanently ban participants or terminate access to the community.
back to topRights and Responsibilities