Technet not allowing for access to new license keys for pre Win 8 OS's??

[tankman1989]

I was just informed of this - that you couldn't get any new keys for pre Windows 8 machines. The only ones that you could get/use were the ones that you have already claimed! I couldn't believe this as one of the main reasons for having Technet is to have access to older OS's so you can test them or learn them etc. What's the deal with stopping access to them and allowing to get new key's?

Does anyone know more about this like exactly what changes they made and what their plan is? Are they allowing access to their old OS's with other plans like MSDN or something? What other plans does MS offer besides technet and MSDN?

It was sure nice to be notified that the service that I paid for was going to be drastically changed and greatly reduce the options I have. I wouldn't think that they would be allowed to do this when one has an open contract/account with them until the year needs to be renewed or a new member joins.

Just another reason to not like MS. It feels like Apple more and more they way they are trying to heard people towards Win 8.

 

[FoolishTech]

informed by who? M$? Do you actually have a sub and does it not allow you to claim new licenses?

I'm curious because I let my sub lapse a few years back and was thinking about renewing it (under a different ID of course to get even more keys) but held back recently because of them reducing the number of product keys available quite drastically - then had a change of heart recently and considered it again - but now this... that is the ENTIRE point to Technet and MSDN.

Of course, what I really need is an MSDN sub, but can't afford that. Does the same apply to MSDN subs?

 

[tankman1989]

informed by who? M$? Do you actually have a sub and does it not allow you to claim new licenses?

I'm curious because I let my sub lapse a few years back and was thinking about renewing it (under a different ID of course to get even more keys) but held back recently because of them reducing the number of product keys available quite drastically - then had a change of heart recently and considered it again - but now this... that is the ENTIRE point to Technet and MSDN.

Of course, what I really need is an MSDN sub, but can't afford that. Does the same apply to MSDN subs?

Informed by a local shop owner. I tried to get new Win 7 keys and it was a no-go so that is why I posted to see if anyone else had heard anything and if this was true.

I can say that the keys that you do have will work. I installed XP today on a VM for testing and the key worked fine and updated/activated.

I started to wonder if I had not understood the point of TN or MSDN as well so I don't know what the deal is with this. They might be allowing access through MSDN since it is more expensive and might be their way of trying to squeeze a little more out of techs and customers. It doesn't make a lot of sense to me to have "technet" and only have the current OS available.

 

[cyabro]

Is this what you mean?

What changes did Microsoft implement to TechNet Subscriptions in July 2012?

On July 16, Microsoft made changes to TechNet Subscriptions to better reflect the intent of the program – aiding IT professionals in evaluating current Microsoft software—and to help protect the integrity of the subscription from unsupported use. As part of this change, we:

Reduced the length and complexity of the User Agreement.
Made Microsoft software use and other subscription benefits available only during the 12 month subscription period.
Updated the list of products available for evaluation by:
Removing redundant or multiple instances of products. For instance: The full Office suite will be available for download, but not standalone Office products such as Outlook, Publisher, etc.
Removing products that are not intended for use in an IT professional managed business environment. For instance: Windows XP Home Edition.
Removing products that are no longer covered by extended support through the Microsoft Support Lifecycle.
For products where no additional keys are available, we continue to make the downloads available for those customers who received keys previously. Additionally, many products allow you to install and use the product for 30 days without activation.
Standardized the 24hr product key claim limit across all programs and benefit levels at ten (10).

 

[tankman1989]

Is this what you mean?

I don't think this is it. I have gotten new keys since that date for OS's such as Win 7. I just did a little more digging and found that I could get a key for "Windows 7 Professional and Professional K with Service Pack 1" but wasn't allowed to get one for a different Win 7 which is the only check I made before testing. So from what I've found I've been able to get a new Win 7 key and install XP with an existing key.

I don't know what the shop owner was talking about and he specifically said that no new keys would be issued for anything other than Win 8, which I will say is not true as I was just able to do it and I was able to install an older OS (xp) with an existing key. IDK if there is a policy change for new subscriptions or if there will be any changes once my sub runs out/renews. This is why I asked here b/c I know I didn't get any recent update from MS regarding Technet and didn't find anything online about it. I figured that the tech knew what he was talking about as he was adamant about this and wouldn't budge when said that I thought this sounded strange. I guess I'll find out in a couple months when my renewal hits.

 

[pc-quebec]

I don't know what the shop owner was talking about and he specifically said that no new keys would be issued for anything other than Win 8, .

it's partially true, you can't have new key for home OS like Windows 7 home premium, XP home..... MS will give only key for OS use in IT environement, so Pro and Enterprise.

 

[tankman1989]

it's partially true, you can't have new key for home OS like Windows 7 home premium, XP home..... MS will give only key for OS use in IT environement, so Pro and Enterprise.

I have no problem with this. I wonder why that is though. Do they give reasoning for it? Is this a recent implementation of policy?

 

[pc-quebec]

The problem is that none It peoples use it on their house PCs to save on Windows and Office. Not to bad to pay $ 249 for few Windows and Offices. On many forums they sugest to get a TN instead of purchase 2 or more Windows. They lower also the Enterprise activation count. I now use only my TN Software on VM so I can move them from servers to servers without reactivate them. I wonder if the solution will not be there, to make TN work only on VM. It will not please the cheaters for sure.

 

[cyabro]

I have no problem with this. I wonder why that is though. Do they give reasoning for it? Is this a recent implementation of policy?

Not recent if you read my quote from Microsoft, July last year the changes were made, including removing the non-IT business related products.

 

[ericpol911]

My understanding is if you have a technet account they will not issue you any more keys than the 2 you already have. Also if you let your sub expire they can deactivate the keys. If you already have keys from an older sub those should still be good and won't be deactivated.