Microsoft have confirmed that their partner for providing downloadable copies of Windows 7, Digital River, encountered problems on launch day with many users receiving the error ‘We are unable to create or save new files in the folder in which this application was downloaded’.




Other users, including myself, were unable to even get the downloader to download.



This problem was rectified before the end of the day and I certainly was able to download my copy in the early evening.




However, in a very surprising move, Microsoft have decided even this small delay was bad PR and have refunded customers the entire cost of their downloaded copy of Windows 7.

In the email to customers they said…

Dear Customer,

Thank you for taking advantage of the Windows 7 Student Offer! We appreciate you as a customer and want you to enjoy Windows 7. We understand you may have experienced an issue with your download immediately following the launch of Windows 7. Because of this, we will be refunding the entire amount of your order. You will see the refund on your credit card statement within 30 days. The software is yours to keep, along with the Backup DVD and/or the Extended Download Service you may have opted to purchase.

We are truly sorry for the delay in receiving your Windows 7 download; please let us know if you have additional questions regarding the download.

Digital River was responsible for the downloads of the £30 ($30) editions of the operating system to students. It is not known how many people have received the refund and if it applied to everyone who reported problems.

This is an excellent move on the part of Microsoft and certainly came as something of a surprise to myself. They are obviously keen to avoid any negative publicity immediately following the launch of their new flagship product.