Join a connection and a program
There are two ways to participate: by browsing what's available, and by joining programs.
Browsing is simple – just look for what's available to you on the Connection Directory, or follow links feedback and discussions from many of the pages on the site. You'll always be able to see and do more when you are registered and signed in with your Windows Live ID. After you have registered, some of these connections are available to be added to Your Dashboard, and you can do so if you'd like to track them and return to them easily.
To apply to participate in a program, click Apply or Join Now on the Connection Directory page. If you are not already a registered with Microsoft Connect, you will be asked to register at that time. Depending how the program is run, you might be automatically approved or later a connection administrator can approve your participation. Final approval of your participation might depend on answers given in a pre-approval survey. You can also be invited to participate in a program by receiving an e-mail that contains an Invitation ID. You must enter the Invitation ID on the Homepage or Connection Directory page. If you are accepted into a program by the connection administrator, you may receive an e-mail notifying you of your acceptance into the program. After you are accepted into a program, you can access the program on Your Dashboard.
Download software
Software, whitepapers, and other information are available in connections. Browse the Connection Directory choices and link to the connections to see what you have access to download. If you are already tracking a connection on Your Dashboard, you will sometimes see the new downloads highlighted for you in the Activity area.
Report a bug / make suggestions
Feedback is used to improve the software or services that are being evaluated in a connection or program. In Microsoft Connect, feedback issues can include bugs and suggestions. A bug is something that does not work the way you think it is supposed to, and a suggestion is something that you think could be made better by doing it a different way. Not all connections allow you to submit feedback, but if yours does, a Feedback option appears on the left-side navigation menu.
You can submit issues that are bugs or suggestions. You can search for an issue by using keywords or a variety of criteria in an advanced search. Keywords are words that might exist in the description of the feedback issue. You can help ensure the validity of an existing bug. If many people are reporting the same issue, the importance of the issue will be increased. Voting for feedback that you think is important also increases the value of that item, so get out the vote!
You can search for an issue by using keywords or a variety of criteria in an advanced search. Keywords are words that might exist in the description of the feedback issue. Note: Some connections or programs require that you search for existing related feedback before you submit new feedback.
Get solutions from others
If you have discovered a solution to an issue, you can share the solution as a workaround on the feedback item. The community will post the workarounds they've discovered, and you can browse those, too!
Vote for what's important to you
You can rate the importance of an issue. The more important an issue is, the easier it is for Microsoft and the community to see that it matters.
Discuss a topic
Your community is an important resource to help you illuminate ideas around a technology. Ask and answer questions and make your assessments known using the discussions area – when it is part of a connection, you’ll see a link in the left-side navigation list. Some connections do not host discussions (but you might be able to suggest one be added).
Take a survey
Surveys are a great way to ensure your voice is heard. Some surveys are offered to you for your input, others are mandatory before you can be considered for program membership. All surveys will help us gather valuable input that will help us improve software and our interaction with you.
Hosted by Microsoft
Many Microsoft teams are already using Connect, and new teams are coming online every week. These teams use Connect to get a community together to help build the next version, and they work hard to monitor your feedback and discussions. In addition, teams provide feedback to you about status on issues, news, and of course, insight about the next release.
Sign in and register
You can access some areas of Connect without signing in with a Windows Live ID or registering with us. When you view these areas, we'll remind you there’s more to see. Registering with Connect enables even more participation. You need a Windows Live ID, then you can sign in to Connect and register!
To see answers to common questions using Microsoft Connect, go to Help.