• Prizes
  • My Account
  • Ways to Earn
  • Community
  • About


    GETTING STARTED
     
  1. How do I obtain an account?
  2. How do I sign in?
  3. Do I have to sign in every time?
    4. TICKETS / PRIZES
     
  4. What are tickets?
  5. What do I do with my tickets?
  6. How do I get prizes?
  7. Why did my ticket balance reset?
  8. Can I redeem tickets for more than 1 item at a time?
  9. Why do prize items change?
  10. What happens if I get a processing error?
  11. Can I return/exchange my prize?
  12. How many prizes can I earn?
  13. When will my selected charity or school receive the donation?
  14. Who is JustGive & how are they involved in the process?
  15. Who is GuideStar & what does their database consist of?
    16. ORDER SHIPPING / TRACKING
     
  16. Where can you ship to?
  17. Am I responsible for shipping and handling charges?
  18. What if my prize arrives damaged?
  19. What if my prize stops working?
  20. Can I track my order?
    21. GAME PLAYING
     
  21. How do I play a game?
    22. PORTS, FIREWALLS, INTERNET
     
  22. I am on Dial-up and cannot access the site or any games, what do I do?
  23. Is your site compatible with pop-up blockers?
  24. An error occurs when trying to load a game, what do I do?
    25. OTHER
     
  25. What does Tell a Friend do?
  26. What are you doing about inappropriate play of the Live Search Club games?
  27. Is it permissible to use bots, macros or other automated programs to play the games in Live Search Club?
  28. Why am I receiving an error message stating that I have maxed out the number of puzzles for a game?
  29. Where can I find Live Search Club Terms and Conditions?
  30. How do I set Live Search as my default search engine?
  31. Looking for Search and Give?
  32. I can’t find an answer to my question, can I contact Customer Support?
  1. How do I obtain an account?
    Back to Top

    Follow these simple steps to get started:

    1. Click on Join Now or Sign In.
    2. Enter a “Nickname” (account name/alias) for your Live Search Club account – your “Nickname” will be displayed whenever you are signed in to the Live Search Club and may also be posted on the site (You can determine availability by clicking the Check Availability button.)
    3. Select an “Avatar” – the “Avatar” is a picture/symbol and will also be displayed when you are signed into the Live Search Club.
    4. Click Next Step.
    5. Read the Live Search Club Terms and Conditions and select “I Accept” if you agree to the terms and conditions.
    6. Click the Submit button to complete your account set-up.

    You are now set-up and can begin playing games and earning tickets to redeem free prizes!

    *Note: In order to earn tickets via Live Search Club you must have a Windows Live ID account and a Live Search Club Nickname. If you do not have a Windows Live ID account, go to the Windows Live ID sign-in page by clicking here.

  2. How do I sign in?
    Back to Top

    Assuming you already have an account established, log into your Windows Live ID account and access the Live Search Club site.

    -Or-

    Access the Live Search Club site and click on one of the sign in links.

    If you haven’t yet set up an account, see How do I obtain an account?

  3. Do I have to sign in every time?
    Back to Top

    Yes, in order to save your tickets you need to be signed in. However, the Auto Sign-in feature for Windows Live ID allows you to log-in to Live Search Club once, and stay signed in for future sessions, until you have the feature disabled or click on Sign-Out.

    Here’s how you can set up automatic sign in:

    When you log into your Windows Live ID account, be sure to select the check boxes for both “Remember me on this computer” and “Remember my password”.

  4. What are tickets?
    Back to Top

    Tickets are like points that are earned, accumulated, and redeemed for prizes. Tickets can be earned simply by playing games. If you are signed in, tickets will be deposited in your account when you finish playing a game. If you are not signed in, tickets will accumulate as you complete a game. Then you have the option of signing in to receive your tickets. However, if you don’t sign in prior to leaving the browser session, you will lose the tickets you have earned in that session.

  5. What do I do with my tickets?
    Back to Top

    Redeem them for a prize via the Prizes link on the top menu bar. When signed in you are able to redeem tickets earned for prizes. There are a number of products for you to choose from with varying ticket values. If you have enough tickets for the given prize then you can redeem your tickets for the prize at that time. The prize selected will either be available for download, or will be mailed to the US address (No P.O. Boxes) entered when redeemed. No shipping charges apply!

    -Or-

    Keep accumulating tickets for bigger prizes.

    -Or-

    Donate your tickets to your favorite charity or school. Click here for more information on how you can use your tickets to help your community.

  6. How do I get prizes?
    Back to Top

    In order to redeem tickets for a prize, you must complete a series of steps:

    1. Ensure you are signed in.
    2. Click the “Prizes” link from the top menu bar and the Prize page will be displayed listing the various prizes to choose from. Choose a prize for redemption. If you have enough tickets accumulated in your account for the prize click Details. Review the prize details, if you still wish to redeem this prize click Redeem.
    3. You will begin the “Prize Redemption” process.
    4. On the “Shipping Details” page, enter the following:
      1. First and Last Name
      2. Shipping Address. The shipping address must be a physical address in the U.S. and not a P.O. Box. (This is not required of downloadable prizes)
      3. A valid e-mail address for the confirmation e-mail.
    5. After the “Shipping Details” have been entered, click Next Step.
    6. The confirmation page will be shown, displaying the information entered on the previous screen. Check it for accuracy and edit accordingly.
    7. If you wish to proceed with your order, click Confirm Order.
    8. A status screen will be displayed while your order is being processed.
    9. Upon successful completion of the order, your account balance will be reduced by the total number of tickets redeemed and an order confirmation screen will be shown displaying your confirmation number.
    10. Your order will be processed in a timely manner. It will be shipped to the address entered and an e-mail confirmation will be sent to the e-mail address provided.

    If your prize is available for download, you will get a second email that looks similar to this:

    To download your prize, please refer to the following instructions:

    1. Log in to Windows Live Messenger (otherwise the package cannot be added to your Windows Live Messenger account).

    2. Click on or copy and paste the link below in Internet Explorer for the download to begin:

    Once the download has been completed, the product will automatically be saved in your Windows Live Messenger library and will be ready for use.

    Have fun and keep playing Live Search Club games!

  7. Why did my ticket balance reset?
    Back to Top

    A few players have had their score reset. The Live Search Club screens game play against criteria meant to identify likely use of bots, macros, or other automated programs to play the games. Those types of activity violate the Live Search Club terms and conditions. When a user account triggers any of these criteria, the Live Search Club cancels any prize orders and discontinues ticket accruals for the account.

  8. Can I redeem tickets for more than 1 item at a time?
    Back to Top

    This feature is not supported at this time.

    A user is only able to redeem one type of prize at a time. If you want to redeem another prize you need to go through the process again.

  9. Why do prize items change?
    Back to Top

    When we run out of stock of a given item we may replace the item with another product or if an item proves to be not very popular then we reserve the right to replace it with another product.

  10. What happens if I get a processing error?
    Back to Top

    Try to process it again by following the steps outlined in How do I get a Prize?

  11. Can I return/exchange my prize?
    Back to Top

    No, all redemptions are final after you confirm your order.

  12. How many prizes can I earn?
    Back to Top

    Each household address is limited to redeeming tickets for up to three of the same software items and three of the same hardware items. Non-software and non-hardware prizes are not limited on a per household basis. Software prizes may include Windows Vista Operating Systems and game software. Hardware prizes may include keyboards, web cameras or headsets. In the non-hardware and non-software category, prizes may include song and ringtone downloads, frequent flyer miles, clothing and wearable accessories.

  13. When will my selected charity or school receive the donation?
    Back to Top

    Microsoft will make an annual donation to the charity or school you have selected using JustGive as our payment processor. Microsoft and JustGive will send each organization a check once a year in June for the funds earned from May 1st to April 30th of the prior 12 months. The amount of Microsoft's donation will be the total contributed by the entire community of people contributing to that organization, including yourself. The minimum check disbursement amount is $10. If the organization has earned less than $10 in twelve months across all contributors, the funds will be allocated to the American Red Cross.

  14. Who is JustGive & how are they involved in the process?
    Back to Top

    JustGive is a nonprofit organization founded in 1999. Microsoft has teamed up with JustGive to process the donations Microsoft makes through our program and help ensure the charities you select are eligible non-profit organizations. If you have any questions regarding the donation payment process, you may contact JustGive at info@justgive.org or 866-JUSTGIVE (587-8448).

  15. Who is GuideStar & what does their database consist of?
    Back to Top

    GuideStar is a public charity located in Williamsburg, Virginia. Founded in 1994, GuideStar provides a database of over 1,000,000 U.S. non-profit organizations. Their database provides comprehensive information (such as mission statements, cost structure, annual donations, etc.) on charities that match your interests. GuideStar works to maintain an up to date list of 501(c) organizations. Microsoft has teamed up with GuideStar to provide you with a broad selection of nonprofits to choose from, whether it is your local library or a global cause.

  16. Where can you ship to?
    Back to Top

    The user can provide any physical address in the U.S. Delivery to a P.O. Box is not supported. This includes the 50 States and District of Columbia only.

  17. Am I responsible for shipping and handling charges?
    Back to Top

    No, shipping and handling is free.

  18. What if my prize arrives damaged?
    Back to Top

    If your prize arrives damaged, please contact Live Search Club Customer Support.

  19. What if my prize stops working?
    Back to Top

    You should contact the appropriate support for the manufacturer of the product.

  20. Can I track my order?
    Back to Top

    You cannot track airline mile redemptions.

    However, you are able to track physical prize redemptions. Upon submission of an order the user will receive a confirmation email. The order is then processed. After your order is processed and is found to be in compliance with our Terms and Conditions for fair game play, you will receive a second confirmation tracking email that will provide a tracking #, the carrier and other pertinent order information. You can then use this tracking # to track your order via the carrier’s tracking system online, only if the given carrier supports tracking. Upon review, all orders that are not in compliance with our Terms and Conditions will be cancelled.

    Please note that each household address is limited to redeeming tickets for up to three of the same software items and three of the same hardware items. For additional details see “How many prizes can I earn?” section. As stated in our Terms and Conditions, please allow for up to 12 weeks for delivery of any prize orders, unless your prize item is back ordered, in limited quantity or the site states otherwise.

  21. How do I play a game?
    Back to Top

    To learn how to play a game, select the Rules button on the main page of the selected game and a pop-up window will display detailed instructions on how to play the game.

    You don’t have to be signed in to play a game, but you must be signed in to earn tickets and redeem prizes.

  22. I am on Dial-up and cannot access the site or any games, what do I do?
    Back to Top

    If you are using an accelerator program to improve the speed of your connection, you may not be able to play on our site. You will need to disable this feature or set the program to use no acceleration if you cannot load a game.

  23. Is your site compatible with pop-up blockers?
    Back to Top

    Live Search Club Games require that you turn off pop-up blockers to play games. Some pop-up blockers have an option to allow pop-ups for a site. Please see the pop-up blocker help pages for details on how to allow MSN Games or to turn off the pop-up blocker.

    • ActiveX controls must be enabled in IE.

  24. An error occurs when trying to load a game, what do I do?
    Back to Top

    The error may be fixed by doing the following:

    Check version of Adobe® Flash® player. This issue may occur if the Adobe Flash Player installation on your system has been corrupted. Please uninstall and reinstall the Flash Player.

    Steps to uninstall the Adobe Flash Player
    http://www.adobe.com/cfusion/knowledgebase/index.cfm?id=tn_14157

    Reinstall Adobe Flash Player here:
    http://www.adobe.com/go/getflash

    Verify Flash Player is working
    http://www.adobe.com/shockwave/welcome/

    Empty your browser’s internet cache

    1. Close any Internet browser windows that are open.
    2. In Windows 2000, click "Start," point to "Settings," and click "Control Panel." In Windows XP and Windows Vista, just click "Start" and then "Control Panel." If the Control Panel window is empty, click "View All Control Panel" Options in the left section of the window to display all the icons.
    3. Double-click "Internet Options." In Windows XP and Windows Vista, you may need to click the "Network and Internet Connections" icon before clicking "Internet Options."
    4. In the “Temporary Internet files” section on the General tab, click "Delete Files." In Windows Vista or for systems with Internet Explorer 7.0 or higher installed, click "Delete" in the "Browsing History" section and then "Delete Files" in the "Temporary Internet files” section. Click "Yes" or "OK" to remove these files.