Arbitration and Dispute Resolution

When a customer has a dispute about Microsoft software, devices, or services, Microsoft wants to resolve it quickly and fairly. We’ve added informal dispute resolution and binding arbitration clauses to many of our agreements and warranties for customers who live in the United States. Those agreements encourage Microsoft to resolve disputes informally within 60 days. If we can’t, either of us may commence arbitration with the American Arbitration Association. An impartial arbitrator near where you live (or in King County (Seattle area) Washington, if you prefer) will consider both sides and resolve the dispute promptly. Or you can bring an action in small claims court, either in the county where you live or in King County, Washington if you meet the court’s normal requirements.

Our arbitration agreements offer speedy and fair individual dispute resolution, but do not permit class action lawsuits or class-wide arbitration for customers who live in the United States. Class action lawsuits usually last for years. Our agreements strongly encourage Microsoft to resolve disputes informally before they get to arbitration, and our arbitration provisions are among the most generous in the country. For instance, we promptly reimburse filing fees, and, where we offer less to resolve a dispute informally than an arbitrator ultimately awards, we will pay the greater of the award or $1,000 for most software, devices, or services plus the customer’s reasonable attorney’s fees.

If you live in the United States and have a dispute, choose the software, device, or service in the box below. The linked page will help you find your agreement or limited warranty, confirm it contains an arbitration clause, and point you to forms that may be used to start the dispute resolution process or commence arbitration.

Send us a Notice of Dispute only if you’ve tried to get help from a customer service representative first and are unsatisfied with the resolution.

Notice of Dispute

Demand for Arbitration

Choose your software, device, or service

Bing Ads Program

If your business has its principal place of business in the United States, to resolve a dispute about the Bing Ads Program, first see your Bing Ads Terms and Conditions.

If yours contain an arbitration clause, you may notify Microsoft of a dispute or commence arbitration by following the Terms and Conditions and using the forms located in the Downloads & Links tab.

Notice of Dispute form Demand for Arbitration form

Kinect for Windows

If you live in the United States, to resolve a dispute about the Kinect Sensor for Windows, first see your Limited Warranty.

If yours contains an arbitration clause, you may notify Microsoft of a dispute or commence arbitration by following the Limited Warranty and using the forms located in the Downloads & Links tab.

Notice of Dispute form Demand for Arbitration form

Microsoft HealthVault

If you live in the United States, to resolve a dispute about Microsoft HealthVault, first see your Microsoft HealthVault Service Agreement.

If yours contains an arbitration clause, you may notify Microsoft of a dispute or commence arbitration by following the Microsoft HealthVault Service Agreement and using the forms located in the Downloads & Links tab.

Notice of Dispute form Demand for Arbitration form

Microsoft Office 2013

If you live in the United States, to resolve a dispute about Microsoft Office 2013, first see your Microsoft Software License Agreement. You can find it through the Downloads & Links tab depending upon how you acquired Microsoft Office 2013.

Microsoft Office 2013 acquired from a store as packaged software or from Microsoft directly

The main arbitration and dispute resolution terms are in your Microsoft Software License Agreement, Section B of Additional Terms. More Terms Governing Arbitration Procedures, Fees and Incentives are located in the Downloads & Links.

Microsoft Office 2013 preinstalled on your computer or tablet from the computer or tablet manufacturer or software installer

All arbitration and dispute resolution terms are in your Microsoft Software License Agreement, Section B of Additional Terms. To notify your computer manufacturer or installer or Microsoft of a dispute please follow the Microsoft Software License Agreement, Additional Terms Sections B.2 or B.10. No form is needed. To commence arbitration use the form located in the Downloads & Links tab.

Microsoft Software License Agreements

Microsoft Office 2013 acquired from a store as packaged software or from Microsoft directly

More Terms Governing Arbitration Procedures, Fees and Incentives Notice of Dispute form Demand for Arbitration form

Microsoft Office 2013 preinstalled on your computer or tablet from the computer or tablet manufacturer or software installer

Demand for Arbitration form

Microsoft OneNote
(acquired through Windows Store)

If you live in the United States, to resolve a dispute about Microsoft OneNote acquired through the Windows Store, first see your Microsoft Software License Terms.

The main arbitration and dispute resolution terms are in your Microsoft Software License Terms, Section b of Additional Terms. More Terms Governing Arbitration Procedures, Fees and Incentives are located in the Downloads & Links tab.

More Terms Governing Arbitration Procedures, Fees and Incentives Notice of Dispute form Demand for Arbitration form

Microsoft pubCenter

If your business has its principal place of business in the United States, to resolve a dispute about Microsoft pubCenter, first see your Microsoft pubCenter Publisher Terms and Conditions.

If yours contains an arbitration clause, you may notify Microsoft of a dispute or commence arbitration by following the Microsoft pubCenter Publisher Terms and Conditions and using the forms located in the Downloads & Links tab.

Notice of Dispute form Demand for Arbitration form

Microsoft Services Agreement
(Bing, Outlook.com (formerly Hotmail), OneDrive (formerly SkyDrive), Office.com, Microsoft Office 365, Microsoft account, Microsoft Family Safety, Windows Photo Gallery, Windows Movie Maker, Windows Live Mail, Windows Live Writer, MSN )

If you live in the United States, to resolve a dispute about one of these services or other services that link to the Microsoft Services Agreement, first see your Microsoft Services Agreement.

If yours contains an arbitration clause, you may notify Microsoft of a dispute or commence arbitration by following the Microsoft Services Agreement and using the forms located in the Downloads & Links tab.

Notice of Dispute form Demand for Arbitration form

Microsoft Store

If you live in the United States, to resolve a dispute about the Microsoft Online Store or a product or service offered through it, first see your Terms of Use and Sale and for More Terms Governing Arbitration Procedures, Fees and Incentives visit here.

If yours contains an arbitration clause, you may notify Microsoft of a dispute by following the Terms of Use and Sale and using More Terms Governing Arbitration Procedures, Fees and Incentives located in the Downloads & Links tab.

More Terms Governing Arbitration Procedures, Fees and Incentives Notice of Dispute form Demand for Arbitration form

Nokia Phones & Tablets

If you live in the United States, to resolve a dispute about a Nokia Phone or Tablet, first see your Nokia Manufacturer’s Limited Warranty.

If yours contains an arbitration clause, you may notify Nokia of a dispute or commence arbitration by following the Limited Warranty and using the forms located in the Downloads & Links tab.

Notice of Dispute form Demand for Arbitration form

Skype

If you live in the United States, to resolve a dispute with Skype or third parties including your mobile phone carrier or Skype’s corporate affiliates, first see Skype’s USA Consumer Terms of Use.

The main arbitration and dispute resolution terms are in Skype’s USA Consumer Terms of Use paragraph 21. Then see More Terms Governing Arbitration Procedures, Fees and Incentives located in the Downloads & Links tab.

More Terms Governing Arbitration Procedures, Fees and Incentives Notice of Dispute form Demand for Arbitration form

Surface

If you live in the United States, to resolve a dispute about Surface or a Surface accessory, first see your Limited Warranty.

If yours contains an arbitration clause, you may notify Microsoft of a dispute or commence arbitration by following the Limited Warranty and using the forms located in the Downloads & Links tab.

Notice of Dispute form Demand for Arbitration form

Windows 8 or Windows 8.1

If you live in the United States, to resolve a dispute about Windows 8 or Windows 8.1, first see your Microsoft Software License Agreement. Then see the forms below depending upon how you acquired Windows 8 or Windows 8.1.

Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 acquired from a store as packaged software or from Microsoft directly

The main arbitration and dispute resolution terms are in your Microsoft Software License Agreement, Section 2 of Additional Terms. More Terms Governing Arbitration Procedures, Fees and Incentives are located in the Downloads & Links tab.

Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 preinstalled on your computer from the computer manufacturer

All arbitration and dispute resolution terms are in your Microsoft Software License Agreement, Section 2 of Additional Terms. To notify your computer manufacturer or installer or Microsoft of a dispute please follow the Microsoft Software License Agreement, Additional Terms Sections 2.b or 2.j. no form is needed. To commence arbitration use the form located in the Downloads & Links tab.

Microsoft Software License Agreements

Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 acquired from a store as packaged software or from Microsoft directly

More Terms Governing Arbitration Procedures, Fees and Incentives Notice of Dispute form Demand for Arbitration form

Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 preinstalled on your computer from the computer manufacturer

Demand for Arbitration form

Windows 8.1 Preview

If you live in the United States, to resolve a dispute about Windows 8.1 Preview or Windows RT 8.1 Preview, first see your Microsoft Pre-Release Software License Terms for Windows 8.1 Preview, Windows 8.1 Pro Preview, Windows 8.1 Pro Preview with Media Center and Windows RT 8.1 Preview.

The main arbitration and dispute resolution terms are in your Microsoft Pre-Release Software License Terms, Section 2 of Additional Terms. The More Terms Governing Arbitration Procedures, Fees and Incentives located in the Downloads & Links tab.

More Terms Governing Arbitration Procedures, Fees and Incentives Notice of Dispute form Demand for Arbitration form

Windows Store

If you live in the United States, to resolve a dispute about a Microsoft application or service acquired through the Windows Store, see your Windows Microsoft Software License Agreement and any separate terms that came with your application or service, or you may use the forms located in the Downloads & Links tab.

Notice of Dispute form Demand for Arbitration form

Windows Phone 8 or Windows Phone 8.1

If you live in the United States, to resolve a dispute about a Windows Phone 8 or Windows Phone 8.1, first see your Windows Phone Terms of Use and the Microsoft Services Agreement, both of which govern the Windows Phone 8 or Windows Phone 8.1, along with the Windows Phone Software License Terms provided by your phone’s manufacturer. The most recent version of the Windows Phone Terms of Use with the Microsoft Services Agreement at the end is here:

Windows Phone Terms of Use & Microsoft Services Agreement

If yours contain an arbitration clause and you live in the United States, you may notify Microsoft of a dispute or commence arbitration by following the Terms of Use and Microsoft Services Agreement and using these forms located in the Downloads & Links tab.

Contact your phone manufacturer for your Windows Phone 8 or Windows Phone 8.1 Software License Terms.

Notice of Dispute form Demand for Arbitration form

Windows Phone Store/Marketplace

If you live in the United States, to resolve a dispute about Windows Phone Store/Marketplace or applications, content, or services acquired through it, first see your Terms of Use.

If yours contain an arbitration clause, you may notify Microsoft of a dispute or commence arbitration by following the Terms of Use and using the forms located in the Downloads & Links tab.

Notice of Dispute form Demand for Arbitration form

Xbox 360 Entertainment for All Plan

If you live in the United States, to resolve a dispute about your Xbox 360 Entertainment for All Plan, first see your Terms and Conditions.

If yours contains an arbitration clause, you may notify Microsoft of a dispute or commence arbitration by following the Terms and Conditions and using the forms located in the Downloads & Links tab.

Notice of Dispute form Demand for Arbitration form

Xbox Live Service
(including SmartGlass, Games for Windows-Live, Xbox Music & Xbox Video)

If you live in the United States, to resolve a dispute about Xbox Live service (including Xbox Music and Xbox Video—formerly Zune Music & Video), first see your Xbox Live Terms of Use.

The main arbitration and dispute resolution terms are in Section 7 of your Terms of Use, including the terms and forms located in the Downloads & Links tab.

Notice of Dispute form Demand for Arbitration form

Xbox One

If you live in the United States, to resolve a dispute about your Xbox One console or accessory, first see your Limited Warranty.

If yours contains an arbitration clause, you may notify Microsoft of a dispute or commence arbitration by following the Limited Warranty and using the forms located in the Downloads & Links tab.

Notice of Dispute form Demand for Arbitration form

Other Microsoft Software, Devices, or Services

Other Microsoft software, devices, or services may have license agreements or warranties with arbitration clauses for United States residents. Check your license agreement or warranty, if it has an arbitration clause and you are unsatisfied with the resolution a customer service representative has offered, you may notify Microsoft about your dispute, and commence arbitration if you and Microsoft can’t agree on a resolution within 60 days. See the forms located in the Downloads & Links tab.

Notice of Dispute form Demand for Arbitration form

Xbox Console Bundle/Xbox LIVE Promotional Offer

If you live in the United States, to resolve a dispute about your Xbox console bundle/Xbox LIVE promotional offer, which includes an Xbox 360 S 4G console, Kinect, and a two-year Xbox LIVE subscription, first see your Terms and Conditions for The Xbox Console Bundle/Xbox LIVE Promotional Offer.

If yours contains an arbitration clause, you may notify Microsoft of a dispute or commence arbitration by following the Terms and Conditions and using the forms located in the Downloads & Links tab.

Notice of Dispute form Demand for Arbitration form

Kinect Bundled with Xbox 360 E

If you live in the United States, to resolve a dispute about the Kinect Sensor bundled with Xbox 360 E, first see your Limited Warranty.

If yours contains an arbitration clause, you may notify Microsoft of a dispute or commence arbitration by following the Limited Warranty located in the Downloads & Links tab.

Notice of Dispute form Demand for Arbitration form

Kinect for Xbox One

If you live in the United States, to resolve a dispute about the Kinect Sensor for Xbox One, first see your Limited Warranty.

If yours contains an arbitration clause, you may notify Microsoft of a dispute or commence arbitration by using the forms located Limited Warranty in the Downloads & Links tab.

Notice of Dispute form Demand for Arbitration form

Microsoft Band or Microsoft Health and Microsoft Band App

If you live in the United States, to resolve a dispute about your Microsoft Band or accessory, first see your Limited Warranty. To resolve a dispute about Microsoft Health and Microsoft Band App, first see your Microsoft Software License Terms. To resolve a dispute about Windows Phone Preview for Microsoft Band, first see your Terms and Conditions for Windows Phone Preview for Microsoft Band users.

If yours contain an arbitration clause, you may notify Microsoft of a dispute or commence arbitration by following the Limited Warranty or Software License Terms and using the forms located in the Downloads & Links tab.

Notice of Dispute form Demand for Arbitration form

Xbox 360 E

If you live in the United States, to resolve a dispute about your Xbox 360 E console or accessory, first see your Limited Warranty.

If yours contains an arbitration clause, you may notify Microsoft of a dispute or commence arbitration by following the Limited Warranty and using the forms located in the Downloads & Links tab.

Notice of Dispute form Demand for Arbitration form

Refunds

Or you may take advantage of our refund policy for certain Microsoft hardware or software acquired from a retailer within the last 45 days.



Last updated: November 20, 2014