subscription management

Microsoft’s Windows 11 Insider builds are now experimenting with a full‑screen “Second Chance Out‑of‑Box Experience” (SCOOBE) page that can surface a Microsoft 365 billing alert — a blocking renewal prompt shown when a subscription “needs attention” such as when a renewal payment failed — and...

Microsoft’s latest Windows 11 Insider builds are shipping a new, full-screen renewal prompt aimed at lapsed Microsoft 365 subscriptions — an eye-catching SCOOBE (Second‑Chance Out‑of‑Box Experience) screen that insiders and early reports describe as a full‑screen nag to renew rather than a...

Paul Thurrott is rethinking Thurrott.com from the ground up: a retooled Windows 11 Field Guide tied to Windows release cadence, a new travel-focused podcast, consolidated and free weekly newsletters, and a planned overhaul of the site’s membership and UI systems — changes that aim to simplify...

Navigating the labyrinthine world of software subscriptions, few modern consumers have escaped the struggle of trying to cancel a service. As digital services increasingly shift to the subscription economy—from streaming entertainment to productivity suites and AI copilots—the cancellation...

Opening the Outlook inbox and seeing an ever-growing, four-digit email count is an experience familiar to many office workers, students, and anyone whose daily routine involves modern communication. While unread email badges and persistent notifications can cause anxiety, even read...

Microsoft 365’s recent Copilot integration is causing quite a stir among longtime users. The once-stable productivity suite, renowned for its focus on reliability and familiar user experience, has been rocked by Microsoft’s aggressive campaign to embed generative AI directly into its core...

A recent analysis has uncovered a significant design flaw within Microsoft Entra ID, formerly known as Azure Active Directory, that could potentially allow unauthorized users to gain elevated privileges within an organization's Azure environment. This vulnerability centers around the default...

The modern digital landscape has steadily nudged consumers toward a future where ownership is no longer the default. For years, purchasing a boxed copy of Microsoft Office or slipping a game disc into your console signaled a straightforward relationship with software and entertainment—you paid...

Microsoft’s ever-evolving cloud strategy is taking another significant leap with a slate of changes to its Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) partner contracts, designed to streamline deal-making, improve customer lifecycle management, and sharpen the competitive edge of the global partner ecosystem...

Changing your country or region on Microsoft services is a significant step that can impact your user experience across Windows, Microsoft Store, and Xbox One. Understanding the steps involved, the potential pitfalls, and the implications for your digital life is crucial. Microsoft provides...

In an effort to simplify the intricate process of subscription management, Microsoft is rolling out a new partner tool designed to streamline billing schedule changes. This update comes in response to partner feedback and positions solution providers to better navigate the upcoming pricing...

If you've recently noticed a sleek but somewhat intrusive "Copilot" button across your favorite Microsoft Office applications, you’re not alone. Microsoft has been pushing its Copilot AI assistant, and while it offers nifty functionalities like generating meeting notes directly in Microsoft Word...

Are you feeling a little coerced into using Microsoft's AI-powered Copilot in your Microsoft 365 subscription? You're not alone. The announcement of Copilot's integration into Microsoft 365 Family and Personal plans may have seemed exciting—until some users saw their subscription costs balloon...

Picture this: It’s a chilly Tuesday in January, and as you’re sipping on a warm cup of tea, you notice a tweet from someone familiar—yes, financial guru Martin Lewis himself. But hold on; this isn’t just your everyday money-saving tip. It’s a warning, specifically aimed at users of Microsoft...

Microsoft is quietly leveling up its game when it comes to user notifications within Windows 10. In a subtle yet useful change, the Settings app in Windows 10 now has the capability to notify users when their Microsoft 365 subscription has expired—or is about to. This small tweak could have...

Thinking about ditching Microsoft Copilot? Whether you’re feeling subscription fatigue, exploring other generative AI options like ChatGPT Plus or Google Gemini, or just trying to cut down on expenses, canceling a Copilot subscription can feel more complicated than it needs to be. Fear not—this...

Let’s face it—nothing screams tech frustration like booting up your Microsoft Office 365 apps for work or school, only to be met with a disheartening “Product Deactivated” warning. For those affected by this bug over recent months, your productivity train probably ran off the tracks more often...