Can Bill Gates and/or Microsoft disable programs?

If your computer came with Windows XP and you installed an Office program of your own, do you think Mr. Microsoft has a way of getting into your computer and disabling it? I have had some computers (desktops) that I have installed operating programs on and they work for about six months, then they start messing up and then the windows screen locks up. I'm beginning to think that it's possible.

Can Bill Gates and/or Microsoft disable programs?theatre tickets

Is there a way, yes, will he no. There is no reason for Microsoft to do anything to your computer so why would they? Even if you have an illegal copy of windows they just tell you it is counterfeit and refuse updates, they don't go after you unless you are selling or distributing it.

Also to do so is illegal.

Can Bill Gates and/or Microsoft disable programs?opera house opera theater

yeah but not like that, even microsoft aren't stupid enough to start intentionally crippling computers just to avoid competition - if anything they'll just stick to the tried and trusted technique they're well known for of buying out their competitors or running them out of business by bundling a free alternative with windows instead.

while (any) version of windows doesn't tend to be terribly stable anyways and will probably start to get bloated after about 18 months or so, this time period decreases VERY rapidly if the user(s) of the machine aren't very competent and the machine is connected to the internet.

i fix alot of computers, and 96% of them barely run because of spyware/adware/viruses and so on - basically things caused by the user not being very up on using the internet safely.

while microsoft have all kinds of hidden tricks programmed into windows for detecting pirated *microsoft* software (and hey we all know they're not the most ethical company around) i don't believe there's in-built code for disabling the programs of other companies.
microsoft have got in to any pc they want to they have done this for a long time and yes they can disable software and the software they disable is cracked software only
I'm sure there is a way, but the possibility that it will be YOU they'll mess with is very slim... I'd say there none at all.

I have OpenOffice installed on my system and have no problems whatsoever. In fact, it works better than MS Office. I'm still willing to try Office 2007 though, it's still free in Beta, and I heard a lot of good stuff about it. :)
Yeah they can but they won't do that...
Yes, Microsoft will and can if they desire shut down or disable your entire system if your platform fails the WGA, (Windows Genuine Advantage) tool test.

You must have a valid registration key. Owise they will not have any reason to mess with your hardware, software or platform.

If your platform is valid then you are having other software problems related to "office programs".

Minddoctor, France
I think that they may be able to though updates. Thats why you have a good firewall like zone alarm to prevent hackers. I never had this every happen to me though.
Well they COULD but why bother. You have to think of this into consideration though, the longer you have a computer the more errors it will encounter. As you install more programs, browse the internet, remove programs, it causes your registry to change, files to change, and settings to be changed on your computer that you may or not notice. And its no use hacking the everyday persons computer there is probably not much for them to lose.

Also you have to think about that people made these programs and that people are not perfect. The computer cannot be perfect cause people made it. So therefore it would not be unusual for it to do things it doesn't normally do sometimes. Perhaps there was a slight calculation that the person programming missed, after so many uses of that calculation it might lead to a error. Plus not everything is compatible with everything.

Kinda think of the computer as a human body it has several parts that rely on other parts. Have you ever had a sharp pain in your body for a couple of seconds and then never have it again. Sometimes you may take asprin for your headache. but does that mean it will never comeback. Sometimes you might fix stuff on your computer sometimes you may mess it more by thinking your fixing a simple problem. Computers are very high maintence if to keep everything running without error is your goal.
No, and I think that's a really silly question. Bill Gates isn't Mr. Microsoft, he was just smart enough to invent it. Microsoft can't get into your computer any more than I can.

Clean up your computer, get rid of junk files, run ad and spyware and clean the hard disk once in a while and your problems might go away. Lots of people have successfully downloaded, installed and operate openoffice free suites instead of buying Microsoft Office, and they work fine. If you don't clean up your computer oftener than 6 months, I'm surprised any software works.
Yes and no. Recently, Microsoft has step up its effort to stop piracy of their software. You may have heard of their Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) validation process. As of now, WGA validation is mandatory for both Windows operating systems (e.g. Windows XP) and Microsoft Office. Before, if a computer failed the validation process, a nagging message would appear informing the user that their copy of Windows OS and/ or Microsoft Office is not genuine but it will not disable the software. But this policy may change soon. In Windows Vista and Microsoft Office 2007, failure to activate your software within 30 day of installation, will cause the software to go in to the limited mode. In Vista, there will be many administrator tasks which can not be performed in the limited mode. In addition, in limited mode, Microsoft Office 2007 can only read documents; it can not create or edit any document and file.

Many computer experts believe Microsoft is moving in the direction of creating a so called "kill switch," which as the name suggests will disable the software if that software was found to be not genuine. Microsoft already has that "kill switch" capability they just haven't used it. The second part of the validation process is WGA Notifier. This program is responsible for displaying the "this version not genuine" message. But, there it also serves another function. WGA Notifier periodically communicates with Microsoft's servers to update itself. The program can easily be used to turn off any Microsoft software remotely. In the beginning, WGA Notifier would connect to Microsoft's servers daily. However, when some experts discovered this, there was a public outrage and Microsoft changed the program to only connect with its server every 90 days. The software is in place but will Microsoft use it?