Select a language to translate this page!
Powered by Microsoft® Translator
Microsoft takes our commitment to the environment seriously. We’re continually working to reduce the impact of both our operations and our products on our planet. In 2008, we set a company goal to reduce our carbon emissions per unit of revenue by at least 30% by 2012. Steps we’ll take to achieve this include improving energy efficiency in our buildings and operations, reducing air travel and increasing our use of renewable energies like solar and hydropower. However, we believe we can have the greatest impact by helping our 1 billion customers become more energy efficient.
Energy efficiency was a guiding principle in the design of Windows 7. With Windows 7, we’ve made it easy for you to reduce your power use, save money and conserve battery life. Take a look at this guide and optimize your PC today.
For IT Pros, it’s easier than ever to manage power use in their business. For example, they can now deploy power management policies to automatically power off displays or put machines to sleep after a period of inactivity. Other power management features of Windows 7 include Idle Power Management, Active Power Management, new diagnostics and improved remote management.
We’ve also taken measures to reduce waste in our product packaging. If you go into a store and pick up a copy of Windows 7, the package you’re holding is 37% lighter than a Windows Vista package. This and other improvements, including different types of material and more environmentally-friendly ink, saw the Windows 7 package’s econometrics score jump by more than 50% over its Windows Vista counterpart.
Round 3 of the Windows Recession Sweepstakes is now open! Until 8:00am tomorrow (July 21), leave a comment and let us know if you’d like to hear more from us at the Windows Experience Blog about environmental issues and how you can use technology to do your part to help out the planet.
Remember to follow me, Brandon, Ben and the Windows Blog on Twitter to find out more and hear about future rounds of the sweepstakes. If you’re interested in Green IT issues, also don’t forget to follow Microsoft_Green to stay up to speed on Microsoft’s work.
Because the contest has been so popular, we’ve extended it until August 31. There will still only be ten contests total (this is the third). Full Terms & Conditions of the sweepstakes are here.
Good luck!
Of course we ALL would like to hear more about how to use technology to help out our planet Earth! Captain Planet would thank you also! =)
Yes I'd love to hear more, while I have concern for the environment I also love anything that lets me lower overall engery costs. That way not only does the planet win but so does my budget.
@rakul_nitescar
While I'm not generally into the whole "green" thing, I would be interested in hearing about ways to reduce energy usage, and how emerging technologies would make that an easier goal to reach!
@CaneDrew
The good thing to come out of the BP disaster is that people have become more aware of environmental issues. I think the blog should try to get more people to shut down their computers when they're away, or at the very least set them to stand-by. How about a short tutorial on how to set the computer to shut down / stand-by automatically after 15 minutes of inactivity?
@noroom2
I'm curious to hear you ideas! I always love seeing new stories on the news about people using technology or just coming up with fantastic new ideas to help the environment with our modern skills :)
Twitter: @keklar
yes, its always good to hear the issues which could help understand that we can and show make an effort to help the planet earth.
well, with technology growing so fast, which i love, we can do all sort of stuff today. i think i could use energy saving gadgets, and always keep it up-to-date as new technology is aiming to use less energy, be more reliable. just like buy a car which more economical and with less CO2 emissions, these are just some of the way we can help our planet with technology...
thanks
vander_09@hotmail.co.uk
Yes, absolutely, Technology companies looking to do something other than filling up landfills is very important.
I'm not as interested in this topic, but I'll read anything you guys post. This site is great. :)
@MasterDevwi
Reducing energy usage - yes
Going "green" - no
Not that I don't care for the environment, but I don't like to mix my tech news with environmental stuff. I rather hear the environmental stuff on my environmental RSS subscriptions (leave tech with tech).
@luischinea
Most definitely would like to know about tech-related environmental issues from the Windows Experience Blog.
As for doing our bit to help the planet, I think reducing energy consumption and packaging like you've done is a great way to start. I saw the article on this very blog (back when I hadn't yet hit the "Join" link in the top right corner) in June or July of last year regarding how you've cut down on packaging and made the Windows 7 retail box look simple yet attractive at the same time.
I also love the fact that you guys have included the ability to generate an "energy report" (in a matter of speaking) using the powercfg /energy option. I do it a lot on Windows 7 and I can see how the power I'm using is certainly more when I leave apps running on my PC. That does make me want to shut it down or hibernate the machine when I'm not using it.
And when it comes to playing our part in using tech to help the planet, I guess a simple way is to think about whether we really need all that power hungry hardware and graphics cards and such, and atleast consider some green thoughts before deciding on a system configuration.
@grajasekar on twitter.
Good luck everyone.
I'd prefer to have green efforts/issues a separate blog where I could read up if I so desired, but not necessarily have it piped in via the same channel as this.
@theprawn
The only people who would not like to receive information about how to help the planet would be BP executives, of which I am not, so count me in for more info.
I would like to see more or hear more about Microsoft Hohm other than what's mentioned www.microsoft.com/.../hohm.aspx being able to see examples of it and other green Microsoft technology in action.
I'm all about saving "green"
@CO_GG
I'm afraid I really subscribe to this blog's RSS feed to hear about the OS itself rather than the environment. Though some of the bits in this post are interesting and I wouldn't mind hearing more from time to time I guess. Just don't overdo it or you'll end up making the blog background color black trying to save electricity on users' computers. ;)
@mzzt
Yes, more stuff on being greener would be good.
@MarP1980
I would love to hear more as well, from both a software perspective (as noted) but also from a perspective of hardware manufacturers also being interested in using more green-friendly processes and materials. I know that is not always within Microsoft's hands, but have you all begun taking steps to discuss such facets with manufacturers?
@Cosmosis
@Darth_Icarus (because I'm not good at following directions)
Sure, would love to hear more energy savings tips from a tech perspective.
@dewh70
Yes I want some quality articles which can educate me to help make world a better place to live in.
@Shishant
Sure I'd want to know. I make it a point to unplug all my gaming systems and TVs when I'm not playing them.
@thundR51
I'd love to hear more about environmental issues and ways to be green with technology.
Twitter: Rickcon
I would be interested in hearing about ways to reduce energy usage and how one could utilize emerging technologies to do so.
@_KYA
Nope, don't care one bit about going green. You can keep those posts out of the blog.
Thanks.
Of course we need to hear more about saving energy.
@m_rosenberg
I think everyone would say we need to take better care of the planet especially after the BP disaster in the Gulf. Going "green" is an easy way to help save the planet - it takes very little effort & can actually save you money.
Twitter: @ilRadd
Yes! Especially the issue of maintaining a high-powered rig (or any powerful tech, really) without negligent use of irresponsible amounts of energy.
Glad you linked to the guide. As a power professional, I'd be very interested to hear what consumers can do to lower power consumption. @aaronmash
If it is tech related sure! @peaceful
It's interesting how companies can do simple things like power management policies and significantly reduce their energy usage.
@duditz
After spending some time with Microsoft's Hohm service, I'd be interested to learn more about ways to reduce my family's energy consumption.
@ekaschyk
lets hear more!
Yes, I'd like to hear more about environmental issues and how technology can be used for these purposes here. I'm @alee67 on Twitter.
Please focus on technology :-)
@georgeqi
I do like hearing about how technology can benefit the environment, its neat to see the advancements that better mother Earth!
@jordanfritzsche
I would like to learn more. In particular, I'd like to know if Windows 7 power management is smart enough to recognize that a background process (like an antivirus scan or third-party backup) is running and to not put the computer to sleep until after the process completes? @DeveloperInfra
I think it is great that you are taking practical measures to make changes in your operations that will help reduce the negative effects on the Earth. Thank you for continually striving for improvment in your products and practices.
@AdamWisden
I've seen some others mention a separate blog for this type of stuff and I would concur.
@JayKimble
As someone who leaves on his desktop PC and laptop on over night, I'd like to know more about energy efficiency and usage in regards to computer technology.
@Asrialys
Yes - Green is good. @rimtorch
I an interested in any way I can help the planet for now and the future. @markm0828
I'd like to hear more about green tech, although it may be more to do with reducing my power bill than saving the environment.
I'd like to hear the latter part on how you can use technology to do our part to save the planet. Thanks!
@apham79
Yes I would like to hear more. But I would like to keep it practical. Of course we would all save energy if we stopped using our electronics, but that isn't going to happen.
deiler at hotmail dot com
I would like to hear more about the computers consumption compared with other electronics.
I'd love to hear more, our kids will inherit this planet when we are gone so we need to preserve it as much as possible. Ult1040@gmail.com
More about recycling computers and cell phones @Bill_Curtis_42 at twitter
I'm up for topics on keeping systems cooler and performing better. If going green helps in those aspects then I'd say go for it!
I want to hear more about how I can use tech to help the planet!
Yes I would love to read more on your blog about environmental issues and ways to reduce waste. @Mr_Je11yman
I'd like to hear your take on the modern "paperless" office. It seems we missed the target pretty badly there. What can we do to get back where we were trying to go?
@melgrubb
Sure, I'd like to hear more about energy efficiency. How about something about Windows 7 home automation apps? @mrdrmuffin
yes it would be awesome to know how to reduce power consumption to both save battery power and electricity. my dell battery is on its last cells, and only lasts 20 minutes at best,
@APAzero7
Glad to see Microsoft reducing waste. The new features in Win7 have helped me not only reduce electricity but with Active Power Mgmt the battery-life in my notebook is even better! I'd love to hear what other steps and tweaks I could do to adjust my power usage.
@georgebabey
I think that saving energy is not as interesting as some other things that I would like to see on this site. A separate blog for "green" issues would be good.
I've done a few things to improve energy efficiency such as replace all my incandescent ligh bulbs with CFL's and upgrading the air contitioning unit in my home office to a Energy Star compliant model. But, if there is more that technology can help me do, let's hear it.
email: @w3zj.com
I would like to hear more of these enviromental issues. As an IT admin for a non profit here in the San Diego area, we are always looking for ways to be more eco friendly.
Yeah of course. I know the Company I work for is making strides as well towards the green.
Yes information on environmental green efforts would be appreciated.
Crap forgot my twitter.... so yes @my_leisure
Green is Good.
More about build-in power management, and how to tweak the settings, would be good.
As a graduate student who is concerned about the environment yet constantly using technology/electricity/power for research, I would love to hear more about Green IT issues and how I can better treat the planet!! @NYCityMuse
Since I care about both technology & the planet I'm open to hearing ways to use one to help the other.
@Tia_Stef
Absolutely!
I realize that I am in a small minority on this, but I feel that nuclear power can be some of the cleanest, most efficient energy that there is. For example, here in Chicago, we get a yearly letter from the energy company lying out the statistics for energy use. 32% of supplied electricity was done through coal-fired power, which resulted in 703.19 lbs of carbon dioxide emissions. 62% of supplied electricity was through nuclear power, which resulted in .006 lbs of high-level nuclear waste.
@candlesayshi
oops, forgot my twitter, not trying to enter twice: @realmiket
I would love to hear any ideas to help reduce energy costs. May I suggest you stop shipping actual physical discs for Windows and Office and provide download access for any future upgrades / purchases? Or at the very least provide a simple thin recycled container that you see a lot of physical CDs in. The large plastic box is quite unnecessary and a lot of other large software vendors have already moved in this direction (Autodesk for example).
@Chadwick17
I'm not a treehugger by any means, but reduction in waste (be it energy or otherwise) is always a good topic for discussion. I'd love to see some info along those lines.
@riceboyler
Lowering my power bill yes
Yes I would like to hear more about current and emerging technologies can be used to reduce energy usage.
I especially want to hear how software can be used to reduce energy usage and extend the life of my system.
@mottmike
I would definitely like to hear more about environmental issues and how technology can be used to improve the environment.
We only have one Earth, we need to do our best to keep it in good condition!
@Det_Conan_Kudo
I am all about cost savings. Green is nice.. but cheaper always wins in my mind. So how green is cheaper would be an excellent article.
@barryschuler
People are too overly concerned about "going green" so to speak. Our carbon footprint is not as large as people make it out to be. Its just a way to generate revenue, cooked up by the wealthy behind closed doors. I leave my computer on 24/7, however I have my monitors turn off and such and try to not use energy (like leaving all the lights on in the house when they arent in use) when I can
@shiarua
Sure, but only if it's somehow related to Windows.
Environmental impact of microsoft products
secretplace36@hotmail.com
Yes, definitely, I would very much like to hear more about how I can use technology to help make a better environment. Because if we have all these environmental issues, what else will save us from total destruction? :P Only technology of course! Please fill me in!
@eric1018
I'd absolutely love to hear more. This is sort of a no-brainer, really... even if I can't do much immediately, knowing what will work can help planning a roadmap.
Yes, it would be nice to see some Microsoft Research project work in this arena. There was a demo of independent wireless sensors a while ago at one of the MS Research events, never really saw any follow up.
@kurt711
Dudes heck yeah! Go planet earth. Captain Planet!
I'm unemployed and my energy bill is too high!
@nihilmatters
Software engineering yes, social engineering no. I work for a company who have joined the "people won't like us if we don't flaunt green." Many customers comment about how they don't enjoy the subtle message of, "if you don't buy from us, you're a planet hater."
Love my Windows, can't wait for the Win 7 phone and listen to my Zune every day. Please do what you individually and corporately need to do to be good earth stewards, but don't broadcast it for public kudos; the adage about tooting your own horn applies. @pecanpralines
As this is primarily a blog about Windows, it should concentrate on Windows. However, as environmental and green issues are important, perhaps a 'Green Tip' could be included at the bottom of occasional posts with a link to a dedicated 'Green' blog.
Besides saving the planet, being green also has the convenient side effect of helping save money on my energy bill. So of course I'd like to hear more about green topics on the blog! One tip I use often is plugging my equipment that doesn't necessarily need "sleep" mode into a surge protector, and then using the switch to turn them all off completely when I'm not using them. @pistonhjr
I'm a little interested, but really want to know more about using the technology to get our jobs done. Now if it comes in with some real cost/savings analysis I may pay attention, but in general, I want more focus on technology over "green" issues. For example, it's great to know that MS has redesigned packaging to be smaller and a little better, but I wouldn't want a whole blog post about that. Mention it in passing, but that's about it.
Now tips on how we can do this with our servers, that might be useful. But it really has to contain some form of cost analysis. If I spend 4 weeks to gain maybe $200/year, that's not a great ROI. However, if I can spend one week to get that and it continues over several years, that may be worthwhile.
I might be interested in something that discusses the tradeoffs in various power schemes. (I'd also love to see the "prompt me" option come back for the power button.)
Would like to know more about Windows-compatible energy saving hardware. @DirtJeans
Sure. I'm already aware of and make use of existing power saving capabilities of my computers and have read article after article for ideas for my house, car, etc. However if there's anything new or off the wall, then that would be great to hear about.
theotherbuzzy (at) live.com
I'm pretty big on being and staying green, so I'd love to see more posts like this.
Jacob Gross
@jacobmgross
I'd love to know more about the environment and how we (as nerds) can integrate modern technology to help clean up some of the messes left by previous generations, and how we can improve power efficiency in simple ways.
I like that Windows 7 has customizable power-saving options that are easy to alter.
sure
@cyric
I'd like to know how Microsoft is planning to allow for applications such as Windows Media Center that need to be able to record or download on a schedule run while the computer is in hibernation. My TV comptuer has to stay on all the time to be able to record TV shows, and I'd like to change that.
alexchristensen@mac.com
Of course! The worlds resources will not last forever and we need to continue to explore new ways to exploit renewable resources, I'd love to hear more information!
Let me know of some ways I can recycle my old PC and electronics!
Absolutely, yes talk more about some how saving the environment. Its nice to know you've reduced the packaging, should of done this long time ago but its done now and its all that matters. To help out my part of the planet, my laptop has a power saver feature which wont use the battery that much thus not using alot of electricity, I can also dim out the laptop screen too... so yeah saving electricity is not only good for me but the planet as well. Another thing i could do is when this laptop dies out i will defiantly take it to the E-Waste and not like some people do which they throw it on the garbage which is not the proper was to dispose of a laptop.
@YellowKidd7
Email: Lemuel_bac@yahoo.com
Yes, new ideas for taking care of the environment are always welcome.
@mvdavid7
Really who wouldn't want to hear more about sustainability and lowering our carbon footprint as a species and as individuals. @acampy
In an effort to save money, I'd like to hear more about reducing energy use.
@bdewong
Of course there should be more "green" discussion; it saves us all money, energy, and our planet.
@imalbert