I was having lots and lots of having trouble receiving my email, I have windows mail since I have a Vista. Frankly I wish they would leave it alone as long as it works but that is another story. Any way Microsoft asked me when the last time I had optimized my computer, well that is one I had not heard of at all. So for $299.00 for 1 year we would have it checked once a month, why do I have a feeling we got snookered?? Anyway, can someone tell me about this Optimize, what it really is, do I need the year, can I do it myself, etc. Thanks so much for any help you can give me.

Thanks

maggie

My only comment is... GASP!!! $300 for nothing? That is insane. And who from Microsoft made this offer? I didn't know they had anything to do with working on people's computers.

If you were having trouble receiving your email, that would most likely be a problem with your ISP, not your computer. I'm having the same issue right now and my ISP is working on it.

maggie57..

I wouldn't buy anything like that...I use "Advanced system care 4,and its free!!!

Its a great program that optimises my system for me...

You can get it Here

And here is an article from Microsoft telling you how to "optimize" your computer yourself.

Microsoft at Home Optimize

I agree with all of you about the $300.00 being for nothing except now I am getting my email, you mean I could of done it myself?? If so please let me know and I will cancel that and save myself at least $200.00 because for a one time they wanted $99.00. (ick)

maggie help help help

I will use Advanced systems as you say and hope they give me my money back.

maggie

Opps I double dipped, have not done that in ages I am sorry, I know better.

maggie you should also just virus scan the PC. Make sure that this "offer" didn't drop a gremlin in your computer

Or do it yourself with the Microsoft article. And like I asked, who actually DID this optimize thing?

Hi bisbet, I am going to have it taken off, what does a gremlin do and what is it? I have heard of it, but never asked. Thanks

maggie

I looked everywhere and I couldn't find any Optimization service sold by Microsoft. There was one for businesses, but I found nothing for personal use.

Who sold you this? blsbet is talking about a virus if this thing was a scam. Than's why I keep asking you who did this?

maggie, when "Microsoft" offered you this deal, did the offer not allow you to otherwise log onto the internet, or access any other websites? I had a similar problem very recently, and it was a virus -- although luckily I did not hand over my credit card details, or any personal info. If so, please run MalwareBytes if you have it, as well as your anti-virus.

Exactly...

I did a search for "optimize your PC" and no fewer than 8 of the search results on the first page alone were flagged by Web of Trust and McAfee Site Adviser as unsafe.

HI Drac

Microsoft uses Omini Tech for theirs. I have gotten it all cancelled except for the #99.00. So they are refunding $200.00 and I now have the one suggested downloaded and on my desktop to use and it is nice to use something free.

maggie

maggie, according to the searches I did, Microsoft does not use Omni Tech. Omni Tech is a company which does claim to USE Microsoft Certified Technicians, but Microsoft itself does not use Omni Tech from what I could find.

If you gave them your credit card number for payment you should call your credit card company and have the number changed. It sounds like you fell for a phishing email.

Plus make sure you run your antivirus and Malwarebytes and CCleaner and anything else you are using. From what I read at the Omni Tech website, you also gave them remote access to your computer.

Again, Microsoft does not use this company and you should follow Jenny's suggestion too.

Run and gotten rid of, so I will be fine and new card ordered and the other one downloaded and it is great.

Thanks all for your help.

Maggie

Drac

Thanks so much for that info very informative..

I hadn't a clue about those "scammers" that say their from microsoft either...

Plus they have access to your computer

They do advertise themselves as using Microsoft Certified Technicians, so perhaps that's where someone could become confused. Just another reason to check, double check and the triple check some more.

Omni Tech is an actual company, but I read some very unflattering things about their services on some complaint websites. And Web of Trust users had some pretty bad things to say too.

You might want to make sure that Remote Access to you PC is turned off

Good idea, blsbet.

Rule of thumb - never - ever - let anyone scan your PC, Optimize your PC, access your PC over the Internet, never run those "My PC runs fast now" commercials, or any other program that makes those claims.

Microsoft makes available some tools that are pretty good like their Security Essential Suite - but that is IT! I can't tell you how many PC's I get to rebuild after someone downloaded one of those "FREE" scan programs that rendered their PC almost unusable with all the spyware that was in the payload.

The optimizations that you can do are the ones you do yourself like Draclvr mentioned.

Watch what you download, don't get fooled by those "In order to view this site - download this ......" JUST GET AWAY from those sites, don't open suspicious emails, and don't reply if you want to unsubscribe!! - when you do this - you have just validated that you exist!

A good clean running PC is greatly dependent on the user. You won't need those programs and you'll be better off.

I am sorry if I sound like I'm ranting, but, as computer professional, I hate when users are tricked into spending $$ on this "stuff".

Words to live by, sureshot!

In my Service file I have Remote Access connection manager and remote access auto connection. Which one of the shoule be turned off to prevent anyone from gaining access to my computer?

Neither of those services provides access to your computer. The options are located in the System Applet (from Control Panel). Select the Remote tab and disable Remote Assistance as well as Remote Desktop.

Remote Desktop requires that the other person knows your logon credentials, and Remote Assistance requires that you grant permission, neither is that much of a risk generally. I use remote desktop every day.

Just don't grant remote assistance to someone you don't trust.