How did Microsoft know it was me?

[goobee]

I went to "http://windows.microsoft.com" and it showed me as logged in under my full name. I don't remember signing up and this is the first time I actually went there to look at Office features. The only thing I can think of is it may have pulled my information from when I do my Windows updates.

Am I getting paranoid?

Using Windows 7 Home Premium x64

 

[MontyAC]

Do you have a hotmail, outlook email account?

 

[goobee]

Yes, I'm not logged in at the moment though.

 

[Dahak]

I probably would not worry, you might still be signed in somewhere else, like xbox, phone,tablet,laptop,

 

[SimMike2]

Cookies.

 

[Savatar]

Are you using Windows 8 with a "Live" account? The computer accounts integrate with Microsoft services now by default (when you set up your computer). There is an option to use a 'local only' account, but you'll be sacrificing some of the features of Windows 8.

 

[HeXen]

prism. "All your data are belong to us"

 

[Ketchup]

Are you using Windows 8 with a "Live" account? The computer accounts integrate with Microsoft services now by default (when you set up your computer). There is an option to use a 'local only' account, but you'll be sacrificing some of the features of Windows 8.

This is what I was thinking as well. Hotmail account would probably do this as well unless you purposely hit sign out when you left the site.

And if I do feel the need to set up a user account in Windows, you can be sure I will give up these "features" for some privacy.

 

[goobee]

Are you using Windows 8 with a "Live" account? The computer accounts integrate with Microsoft services now by default (when you set up your computer). There is an option to use a 'local only' account, but you'll be sacrificing some of the features of Windows 8.

Win7 and live not installed.

 

[smakme7757]

Microsoft now gathers information on all people using their operating systems and create Microsoft accounts in their name so they can save their customers time.

With all the data Microsoft gathers through keyboard patterns, mouse pattern and mouse click usage as well as other human related information Microsoft can detect with 99.99% accuracy who is visiting their websites. They will then log that person to gives them a well rounded Microsoft experience.

 

[corkyg]

Assume your Win7 is activated, and if so, it is registered in your name.

 

[goobee]

@smakme - Well that's awfully nice of MS. They must want to be another Google.

@corky - Yep, it's mine.

 

[Rhonda the Sly]

Right now I'm signed into Outlook.com but not Office.com, so they're considered separate. I would imagine you signed into Office.com at some point and just never signed out or were automatically signed in by your browser.

And I don't think Windows 7 activation requires a real name, just a unique key.

Also, I don't think smakme was being serious. You know what they say about sarcasm and the internet. :/

 

[goobee]

I don't think so, I've never been interested in MS products. My job is converting everyone over to Office 2010 and I was looking to get some idea of what to expect since we are upgrading from Office 2007. I used a link from Google which led me to the Windows site and I noticed my name and being signed in.

 

[will889]

Like another poster said cookies.

 

[goobee]

Like another poster said cookies.

In my case I doubt it. I have not visited before as indicated in the OP.

 

[assimilation]

never experienced something like that ,expect when i forget to logout from mine mail,but i dont think its something to be worry about tough

 

[redyouch]

Cookies.

This.