Last updated: March 17, 2008

This Code of Conduct is separate from the site's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Please view the Terms of Use here. Privacy information can be found here.

The Code of Conduct outlines the rules that you need to follow to ensure that the Windows Mobile® Connection offers a great experience for everyone. 

What not to do:

• Don't use the site to do anything illegal. Microsoft is not responsible for anything you say on the service/Web site or for anything that happens because of what you say; you alone are responsible.
• Don't harass, abuse, or spam other users.
• Don't scream, yell, threaten, or stalk other users.
• Don't distribute, post, publish, upload, disseminate, or discuss defamatory, infringing, obscene, sexual, or other unlawful materials such as child pornography or illegal drugs including images, audio, video, or text.
• Don't upload, distribute, post links to, or otherwise provide access to unauthorized or "cooked" Windows Mobile ROMs or other system software.
• Don't post links to Web sites that violate the Code of Conduct.
• Don't give out information that personally identifies you (such as your real name, address, phone number, credit card number, etc.) on the site. This includes your user name and other profile items. This information could be used by others for illegal or harmful purposes. Also, don't give out the personal information of other users.
• Don't create a user name or signature that other users may be offended by; this includes comments that look, sound like, stand for, hint at, abbreviate, or insinuate any of the following: profane words/phrases, sexually explicit language, sexual innuendo, hate speech (including but not limited to racial, ethnic, or religious slurs), illegal drugs/controlled substances, or illegal activities.
• Don't create a user name or signature that references controversial religious topics, notorious people, organizations, or sensitive current or historical events that may also be considered inappropriate.
• Don't modify or hack site code.
• Don't intentionally take actions to help inflate your status or permissions, either by yourself or with the help of others.
• Don't post links to materials that could harm other users' computers or would allow others to inappropriately access software or Web sites.
• Don't impersonate or harass Microsoft employees, Moderators, Administrators, or other staff members.
• Don't use the site for personal communications or other such purposes.
• Don't use the forum for any commercial purpose. You may create an account only for yourself as an individual. You may not create an account for your corporation or other business entity.
• Don't distribute, post, publish, upload, disseminate, or discuss content or files that could be considered confidential, proprietary, "leaked," or otherwise, either by Microsoft or any other company; such material will be removed without notice.

Any of the actions above may be considered a violation of the Code of Conduct. If you violate the Code of Conduct or the Terms of Use that you agreed to, action may be taken against your account. Some offenses warrant an immediate account cancellation, including but not limited to hacking, severe racial remarks, continued creation of profane user names, and posting viruses or URLs to viruses. In addition, trying to avoid a temporary ban by creating a string of new accounts may result in a permanent ban on the new user account and a possible escalation of punishment to the original account and all related accounts. If you create an inappropriate user name, you may be required to change it. If you use an inappropriate signature, we may delete it and you may be temporarily locked out of your account. If we are notified that you have posted inappropriate content of any kind, it will be removed. Depending on the severity of the offense, you may even have your account terminated. Microsoft is not obligated to send you a warning before these actions occur. Microsoft is not obligated to monitor every post, but we have the right to remove any post or take action against any user.

Microsoft reserves the right to remove at any time, without notice, any user-created content from the site. Microsoft reserves the right to immediately terminate or suspend a user for violations. Microsoft can contact any Internet service provider (ISP) and provide the ISP with information on illegal activities.

It's easy to avoid getting in trouble! Just follow the rules.
 
What you can do: 

• Take a break if a post or user makes you angry. If you act out it could be considered harassment.
• File complaints on problem users by using the Contact form here.

General Web site precautions:

Some areas of the site may post Web site links. Please be advised that Microsoft is not responsible for the content on the Web sites associated with the links you may view.

Some content and links on the Internet may contain adult content.

Be sure to reread this document occasionally because Microsoft will update it periodically.