Microsoft offering free TechNet Plus subscription

[MM PC Solutions]

As many of you would know, TechNet Plus is a Microsoft service which offers full, legitimate versions of software to IT professionals (or whoever wants to pay for it). The subscription usually saps your wallet for $349 US, if you only want downloads, or $599 if you'd like disc versions too. However, as you can see, this is pretty pricey... the good news is, if you live in the US, the UK or Canada, our friendly Redmond-based software company has you covered.

you will need the following information: First name, last lame, street address, city/town, state, postal code, email, and contact phone number. You'll obviously need a valid address if you wish to get CD/DVD media, but otherwise you can use any for the direct software downloads.


Free Technet US
Free Technet UK
Free Technet Canada

Once that's all done, you'll need to do a few more things before you have a wealth of freebies within your grasps:

1. Sign In: Visit the TechNet Subscriptions Benefits Portal (you may be prompted to re-sign in using your Windows Live ID).
2. Register: You will be required to enter your first name, last name, e-mail address (exactly as they appear in your "Ship to" information) and Benefit Access Number: XXXXXXXXXX and accept the license terms.
3. Access Benefits: Once you have completed the registration, you will be able to access your online benefits, including Subscriber Downloads from the TechNet Subscriptions Management page. Each time you visit you will sign in using your Windows Live ID.

Update
I am now hearing that this is part of a pilot program that is set to expire on September 30, 2009, which means it's more of a three month deal, but hey, free is free! Currently, the expiration date reads "1/1/1900" but Microsoft is working on fixing that.

Source: arstechnica

Well, I signed up for it & have received my first email from Microsoft with regards to this.

Hopefully this will be useful for others.

[rtorres15]

Quick questions on this, Why do they provide you with Keys?? Is it full versions of the softwares or what? Whats the purpose of them? Or is it on a time period limit??

[MrUnknown]

full versions for TESTING purposes. You can't use them to setup production systems or use them for your personal machines that you use every day. For testing this is great because they offer volume license keys, retail keys, etc. so you are able to test many different environments.

But if you are trying to learn Server 2008 with Vista, XP and 7 clients, you can set them all up in some VMs (or real machines) and fiddle to your heart's content. This is what I use it for.

Just don't download and install Server 2008 and decide to offer hosting for your clients on it.

[vontreigo]

I keep getting "Error Processing Request" while completing the order.


boo... I say BOO!

[MM PC Solutions]

Originally Posted by vontreigo

I keep getting "Error Processing Request" while completing the order.


boo... I say BOO!

The servers are taking a hammering at the moment, anyone who reads tech sites will be signing up for this.

[ProTech Support]

Error for me too, will try later in the day.

[Jory]

http://www.technibble.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6889

We've been talking about this since last night. If you check my posts one of them has directions for generating a bunch of keys and saving them out. So far I've downloaded Vista 64 SP2, XP Home Retail, XP Pro Retail, XP 64 Retail, and Vista 32 SP2 is downloading now. I'd suggest hitting up the Vista ISO's first since they're likely to work with OEM keys.

[jaydude23]

It seems the links are no longer active. At least they are not working for me. Just my luck. Anyone have any alternate links for this?

[rusty.nells]

Originally Posted by jaydude23

It seems the links are no longer active. At least they are not working for me. Just my luck. Anyone have any alternate links for this?

This has been posted EVERYWHERE, the sites are probably getting hammered. Keep trying.

Downloadsquad.com has three links posted for US, Canada and UK.

[angry_geek]

Why do we have 2 threads going about this? Maybe we can consolidate?