Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor privacy statement

Last updated: May 2009

At Microsoft, we're working hard to protect your privacy. This privacy statement explains the data collection and use practices of the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor. It does not apply to other online or offline Microsoft sites, products, or services.

The Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor will help you determine if your current PC is ready for an upgrade to Windows 7. You can download the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor, run an analysis of your current PC and use the detailed report it provides to help ensure that your PC is ready to install and run Windows 7.

When you use the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor, it will collect certain information about your potential upgrade experience, such as the capabilities of your computer hardware, the devices connected to your computer, and the applications installed on your computer. Occasionally, application publisher information may contain personally identifiable information such as the publisher’s name or publisher’s e-mail address; however, none of the information collected is used to identify or contact you.

This information is sent to Microsoft and used to create a report for you, detailing how well Windows 7 will run on your computer. In addition, this information is used to help us improve the number of devices and applications supported by Windows 7, to analyze trends, and to improve Windows 7 performance.

Information that is collected by or sent to Microsoft may be stored and processed in the United States or any other country or region in which Microsoft or its affiliates, subsidiaries, or agents maintain facilities. Microsoft may disclose personal information if required to do so by law or in the good faith belief that such action is necessary to: (a) conform to the edicts of the law or comply with legal process served on Microsoft or the site; (b) protect and defend the rights or property of Microsoft and its family of websites; or, (c) act in urgent circumstances to protect the personal safety of Microsoft employees, users of Microsoft software or services, or members of the public.

Microsoft occasionally hires other companies to provide limited services on its behalf, such as providing customer support, processing transactions, or performing statistical analysis of reports. Microsoft will provide those companies only the information they need to deliver the service. They are required to maintain the confidentiality of this information and are prohibited from using it for any other purpose.

You may choose to download, install, and run the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor as you wish. The Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor application may contain links to websites and services. We encourage you to review the privacy statements of those sites and services that you choose to visit, so that you can understand how they may collect, use, and share your personal information. Microsoft is not responsible for the privacy statements or practices of sites and services controlled by other companies or organizations.

Microsoft is committed to protecting the security of your information. We use a variety of security technologies and procedures to help protect your information from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. For example, we store the information you provide on computer systems with limited access, which are located in controlled facilities.

Find more information on the Microsoft commitment to privacy.