Supporting Windows Powered Server Appliances

As you are no doubt aware, OEMs are responsible for providing support to the customers who purchase their products, including support for issues that result from running Microsoft software. In most cases, OEMs can resolve such issues themselves using their own resources. Occasionally, however, an OEM must seek assistance from Microsoft to research an issue and develop a solution.

This section explains how to obtain support from Microsoft. Getting Support explains how to contact Microsoft for support and what to expect as a result of that request.

While most issues can be resolved using configuration or procedure changes, occasionally Microsoft must make changes to the software itself. In these cases, Microsoft will issue a quick-fix engineering (QFE) release that you can use to patch the software you install on the computers you manufacture. In addition, you can also receive permission to distribute a QFE release to your customers so they can update their systems. See Working with QFEs for more details.