Microsoft Goes for the Green

On Friday, Microsoft announced a new program to help put more second-hand computers pre-loaded with Windows in the hands of consumers. Building on the success of its 'Community Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher' program, which helps deliver used PCs with authorized copies of Windows to charities, educational institutions, and nonprofits, the software giant announced a similar program for commercial businesses that resell computers.

Prior to this announcement most PCs that entered the 'used' market were shipped without an operating system, because Microsoft required the units to have both their Certificate of Authenticity (COA) and original recovery discs to reinstall Windows (things that tend to get misplaced or lost). (Source: CRNTech)

The only recourse was to contact the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) for the missing items. According to Microsoft representative Hani Shakeel this was not a realistic arrangement. "Refurbishers process thousands of machines each day with different makes and models," Shakeel said. "The process [of obtaining COAs and recover discs from the OEM] doesn't scale."

Now, vendors who resell machines will only be required to provide a certificate of authenticity (COA) -- usually a sticker found on the back of your PC -- to receive a special copy of Windows specifically for this market.

Microsoft didn't put a specific price tag on what they are calling "Windows XP for Refurbished PCs," but did say it would cost less than manufacturers are currently paying to put the operating system on new units. (Source: Cnet)

Refurbished machines account for approximately 10 per cent of the worldwide PC market. Each year 28 million computers are wiped clean of their data and repaired for resale. With the new MAR program, the Redmond-based company hopes to get even more PCs out of storage and landfills and back into circulation.

A neat trick the software maker fails to point out is that the new program enables Microsoft to be paid twice for putting Windows on the same machine. (Source: Cnet)

Double your money and save the environment...now that's what you call "going green."