Microsoft tests Windows Store refunds system

Microsoft runs a Windows Store refund test right now for select participants of the Windows 10 and Xbox Insider programs.

The system is known as self-serve refund currently, and what it allows testers to do basically is to claim refunds for digital products bought through the Windows Store.

The refund system matches that of the digital platform Steam for the most part. Eligible items bought on the Store may be refunded provided that certain criteria are met.

Microsoft grants refunds on purchases that are less than two weeks old, and the items need to have less than 2 hours of usage. Additionally, items need to have been downloaded and launched at least once, and the request can only be made a day after the initial purchase.

Another difference to Steam's system is that DLC and season pass purchases are not eligible for the self-serve refunds system, and that some apps for Windows 10 may not work with the system either.

Last but not least, Microsoft reserves the right to block Windows 10 users who abuse the system (similar to how Valve handles this).

Windows and Xbox customers may request refunds in the following way (note that this is subject to change, considering that the feature is being tested right now):

1. Open the Microsoft Store page, and sign in to the account that the purchase was made with using the sign-in link at the top right.
2. Select Order History on the page that opens. You can load the order history directly using this link: https://account.microsoft.com/billing/orders
3. Find the app or game that you purchased, and select the "request a refund" option.

Information on direct integration in the Store apps on Windows 10 are not available right now.It would make sense to integrate the refund system directly in the app, and not only on the Microsoft Store website as purchases and refunds are separated right now from one another.

The move makes perfect sense for Microsoft, especially since the company's Windows Store is competing with Steam and other digital software stores on Windows.  While Microsoft's self-serve refunds system has more limitations in place than Valve's refund system on Steam

It remains to be seen how this is going to be implemented once it hits the stable channels of Windows and Xbox. Could be rolled out with a new Store version, or as part of the second feature update of 2017 which will be out near the end of the year. 

Now You: What's your take on digital refunds?