$200 subscription for 10 installs of xp,vista,7 and office

[heat901]

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/subscriptions/default.aspx

$200 gets you 10 installs of every version version of xp, vista, 7, and office.

A friend sent me this debating on getting because I dont know if I need 10 of each version and of all those operating systems but it seems like quite the deal.

Sooooo tempted...






This thread has become so far off topic that I refuse to clean it up. Too many posts that have nothing to do with the deal at hand.
You may put up a new thread providing you keep the politics and the fact that many are discussing ways around this intended EULA from Microsoft. As soon as the topic goes south again, I will lock that one up too, permanently.


esquared
Anandtech Administrator

 

[mshan]

Is that $200 per year?



edit: read description carefully and it is $200 per year. Sounds like good deal for developer or power user, though.

 

[WilhelmII]

It is the new Technet subscription that strips out Enterprise versions. It is called Technet Standard. They still have Technet Pro with all of the software.

 

[heat901]

Is that $200 per year?



edit: read description carefully and it is $200 per year. Sounds like good deal for developer or power user, though.

to resubscribe is $164 but the keys dont expire....

 

[mshan]

Does that mean the copies you download during active subscription are essentially same as brand new OEM you would get at Newegg? (will be able to reinstall and activate again even if you don't renew?

Does it just mean you can't get new releases that come out after subscription is not renewed?

Also, can you download same program onto more than one computer? (e. g. Office 2010?)

 

[heat901]

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/subscriptions/downloads/dd464803.aspx

FAQs

"TechNet Subscriptions is a subscription program that provides premium technical resources to help IT Professionals efficiently evaluate, test and troubleshoot. TechNet Subscriptions helps you to evaluate Microsoft software by giving you access to full version Microsoft software with no time or feature limits1. Receive professional help with 24/7 Online Concierge Chat and access to Managed Forums.

TechNet Subscriptions provides you with ongoing access to Microsoft infrastructure products, technologies, and information so you can get the most out of your time and investment.."

 

[J3S73R]

I know with the old version you could download just about every single release you could think of including euro releases w/o IE built in etc.

 

[fatpat268]

This isn't anything new is it?

Technet has been around for a while, and it's always been $200 (maybe $300, not sure).
Technically you're violating the terms of use by using these copies for personal reasons, but microsoft doesn't enforce it. (I'm still using a copy of win7 from my academic technet... or whatever it's called)

 

[BenJeremy]

to resubscribe is $164 but the keys dont expire....

I have MSDN through work, and my keys reset, apparently, every year - that is, I get 10 new keys per product every year, and the old ones don't expire (i.e. keys I used last year are still working fine, and this year, my counter reset to 10 for fetching new keys).

Basically a "doggie treat" for good developers using Microsoft products, but invaluable for us to run virtual machines to test stuff.

 

[edplayer]

, and it's always been $200...

No

thats why it is in the hot deals forum. This is a new package of Technet with a price that hasn't been seen before (yeah there was a $99 deal about two years ago...)

 

[hans007]

I have MSDN through work, and my keys reset, apparently, every year - that is, I get 10 new keys per product every year, and the old ones don't expire (i.e. keys I used last year are still working fine, and this year, my counter reset to 10 for fetching new keys).

Basically a "doggie treat" for good developers using Microsoft products, but invaluable for us to run virtual machines to test stuff.

yeah you aren't supposed to use it for like every computer at your house, or all your friends etc, even though everyone seems to. hell people sell the extra keys on ebay which is why you see all those "key only" auctions.

technically using it for home is a eula violation. i wonder if msft really cares of not, but i think the people who resell the keys on ebay are obviously doing something illegal.

 

[RedChief]

There actually pretty loose on the subs. I upgraded a Win7 Home Premium Updgrad (retail box) to Windows 7 Ultimate using a license from MSDN.

 

[Evadman]

This was posted earlier. But basically, if you are installing it on production computers (which include your regular home computer) you are in violation. Technet is for testing of software products and configuration by IT professionals, not for home users.

 

[Meghan54]

If you're looking for the TechNet Plus, or now Professional, subscription for a discounted price, the code TNWNF takes 25% off the $349 price, dropping it to $261.75.

TechNet Pro gives you access to all MS software, desktop and enterprise, if you need that access.

The TechNet Standard, though, is a very good deal for what's essentially "desktop" software.

 

[dajeepster]

I'm a super power home user.. D:

 

[alaricljs]

Technically my XP installs at home are not production installs since they never seem to last more than ~9 months before being so crapped up I need to re-install. I haven't had Win7 long enough to find out if it's production worthy yet.

 

[jjmIII]

to resubscribe is $164 but the keys dont expire....

I understand an installed key doesn't expire, but...
If you don't use the keys within the year do they expire?

Basicly why wouldn't the average Anandtech'r go this route?
I pd $150 for 3 pre-order Win7 and thought that was sweet!

 

[etrin]

IF you dl 3 or 4 keys for something like office or win7 is there a time frame to when you have to install and activate them?

 

[heat901]

I understand an installed key doesn't expire, but...
If you don't use the keys within the year do they expire?

Basicly why wouldn't the average Anandtech'r go this route?
I pd $150 for 3 pre-order Win7 and thought that was sweet!

"average Anandtech'r" is there such a thing??

 

[Spike]

yeah you aren't supposed to use it for like every computer at your house, or all your friends etc, even though everyone seems to. hell people sell the extra keys on ebay which is why you see all those "key only" auctions.

technically using it for home is a eula violation. i wonder if msft really cares of not, but i think the people who resell the keys on ebay are obviously doing something illegal.

Please show me in the EULA where that is said. Heck, the documentation on the technet site offers support for at home installs and even mentions that specifically. Plus they have Windows Home Server as one of the pieces of software you get a key to (only 1 as opposed to 10) so that tells me home use is just fine.

I just hope I can renew my pro sub at the standard price rate, I don't need the enterprise installs.

 

[Juddog]

Wow this sounds pretty good, and to think I just spent $175 buying Windows 7 Ultimate... ARGH.

I need something like this for my home server where I plan on setting up several VM's.

 

[JBT]

I've had two tech net subs. All my keys from each sub still work from my first sub starting in 2007.
For the people on the fence. Its a great deal.

You download the software, then click request key. You may request 10 keys per specific version of an OS. EG I have 10 keys of Windows 7 Ultimate and 10 of Pro, and so on. ( No I haven't claimed that many but I could.) Also once you have claimed all the keys you need they have a feature to export your entire keylist to XML.
DO this before your sub expires! Once your sub expires you may no longer request keys butyour software is "good forever". You may install with any of the keys you requested before the sub expires. Also save the .iso's... You can no longer dled software . So save those .iso's for redistribution.


Honestly with the addition of the "standard package" I am even more convinced MS knows what tech people are doing with these. (EG home use) I've read the terms all it says is for use in a non production environment. I really don't think they consider your home a production environment. In fact as a tech user I am constantly changing things and testing these OS's on VM's etc... I even use them to get more experience with the server side of it for use with MCTIP exams. Just earned my MCITP:SA last week! with the help of technet w00t

 

[Evadman]

Please show me in the EULA where that is said.

Here you go:

Software is licensed for evaluation purposes only-not for use in production environments.One user may install and use copies of the evaluation software listed in the COMPONENTS.TXT file, even if you obtained a server license. You may use the evaluation software only to evaluate it. You may not use it in a live operating, in a staging environment or with data that has not been sufficiently backed up. If the evaluation software comes with its own license agreement, this agreement will control. If that other license agreement gives you additional rights that do not conflict with express limitations in this agreement, you also have those rights

Source:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/subscriptions/cc294422.aspx

In Juddog's example, you are putting it on your personal desktop; the definition a production environment. You are not testing windows 7 on a desktop to see if you should buy windows 7 for your desktop, you bought the technet subscription instead of the retail version.

 

[Spike]

Here you go:

Software is licensed for evaluation purposes only-not for use in production environments.One user may install and use copies of the evaluation software listed in the COMPONENTS.TXT file, even if you obtained a server license. You may use the evaluation software only to evaluate it. You may not use it in a live operating, in a staging environment or with data that has not been sufficiently backed up. If the evaluation software comes with its own license agreement, this agreement will control. If that other license agreement gives you additional rights that do not conflict with express limitations in this agreement, you also have those rights

Source:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/subscriptions/cc294422.aspx

In Juddog's example, you are putting it on your personal desktop; the definition a production environment. You are not testing windows 7 on a desktop to see if you should buy windows 7 for your desktop, you bought the technet subscription instead of the retail version.

Definition
pro·duc·tion[ prə dúkshən ]

pro·duc·tionsplural

1. making of something: the making or creation of something

2. something produced: something that has been made or created

3. producing of goods: the process of manufacturing a product for sale

4. company's product: the goods or services produced by a company

5. supervision of recording or filming: the organization and supervision of the making of a movie, broadcast, or recording, or the staging of a play

6. movie or recording: a movie, play, broadcast, or recording that has been produced for the public

7. presentation of something: the showing or presenting of something such as evidence or proof

What am I producing? My interpretation was that a home PC is not a production PC as it is not generating revenue or a product, at least mine are not. Also it says "production enviroment", what is that? My home is certainly not a production enviroment. I'm not trying to justify anything as I am a happy technet subscriber and will continue to be one I'm just curious how you define production.

FYI here is a direct quote for another forum, take it with a grain of salt

"So, after debating this issue with several on this forum and discussing the technet licensing agreement over and over again, I finally picked up the phone and called MS directly to get the official response on this.

They said, the use of TechNet software for a single individual across multiple machines in a home environment for testing purposes was not a violation of the license agreement and would not be considered a problem in the event that you were ever audited by Microsoft. He said as long as you aren't running, supporting, operating a business with the TechNet software, you are within your legal rights to use and evaluate the software however you see fit and for as long as necessary.

So, for anybody that has been concerned about this or considering the purchase of a Technet subscription to get Windows 7 Ultimate (or other software) installed for a cheaper price than standard licensing as long as you aren't sharing with your friends and using the software in a business...you are good to go.

Just wanted to share...since my understanding has always been different on this program.

If somebody else feels the need to call for clarification, the number I dialed was 1-800-344-2121."

http://www.sevenforums.com/general-discussion/20444-technet-ok-use-home-computers.html

I still probably strech the rules since I have multiple users of my subscription software (family) but since I do support all those machines and they are not used for business purposes I'm probably ok.

 

[abaez]

Oh please. You'll say anything to support your view of how to use it. You gave keys out to your family? And you think this is ok? Seriously? It's for evaluation purposes, as stated in the documentation.

I've used technet before myself to get keys for my own use. I know it's not the way technet is supposed to be used, and if MS found out I would have no recourse but to admit that I was in the wrong. You may never get caught, but don't try to convince us that the way your using technet is the way MS intended, because it's not.