Microsoft Tech Net Subscribers Club

[Mussels]

Originally Posted by Arctucas

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-US/s.../jj215854.aspx

From what I am reading, once your subscription expires, if you do not renew your subscription, you may not use, and must destroy all copies of your Microsoft software obtained through Technet.

-.-


thats going to go really well for a lot of small businesses i know.

[qubit]

This is really bad news. I wasn't gonna buy a sub right now, but I wonder if I should, before they change it? I might yet want to have Windows 8 and Office 13 and the old terms allow me to have multiple copies, multiple versions, forever. With the new version, these will become temporary and the TechNet sub will become worthless.

There's a good article on this here.

In practice, this means much more restrictive terms, with every change being something that Microsoft has taken away. This greatly devalues the benefit of such a subscription, making it frankly not worth it to swathes of ordinary people. No doubt, this will sharply reduce the number of TechNet subscriptions taken out, which Microsoft hopes will be made up for by people purchasing individual full-price product licenses. The biggest change hits the length of use of the software: out goes the perpetual license use, which allowed the software to be used forever, even after the subscription had long lapsed. Instead, the software will now only available for use within the yearly subscription period, making it very temporary and therefore far less useful. We surmise that this will be enforced by making product activation fail for TechNet product keys once the subscription has lapsed and holding the hapless user to ransom, for payment.

[Luke]

I was going to get a TechNet subscription for but from the sounds of that it is not worth the money any more (It already costs too much in AU)

Am i reading it correctly that once the subscription expires the product keys can not longer be activated or do the products activated with this key deactivate as well after the subscription expire

[Mussels]

Originally Posted by Luke

I was going to get a TechNet subscription for but from the sounds of that it is not worth the money any more (It already costs too much in AU)

Am i reading it correctly that once the subscription expires the product keys can not longer be activated or do the products activated with this key deactivate as well after the subscription expire

i'm going to guess that they cant be reactivated, but they'll stay functioning.

[Frick]

Nooo. I kinda can understand them though but I don't like it. It always was my dream to have a technet sub but not it's just not worth it.

Good thing I have access to MSDN (or whatever they call it nowadays).

[DanishDevil]

What a fucking shame. A handful of assholes who sold all their keys and made a profit have caused MS to overreact and completely ruin TechNet for 99.999999% of people on forums like these. Good thing I had no intention of upgrading to Windows 8 anyway.

[qubit]

The one good bit of news about this is that it hasn't come into effect yet. Get a TechNet sub now and you can have it under the old termes and keep your software.

Also, the backlash might be so strong, that it wouldn't surprise me if Microsoft backpedal on it. Perhaps they put up that "preview" to judge people's reactions to it. Remember when they tried to change the licensing conditions before Vista came out so that the product key on retail copies could only ever be used on one piece of hardware? Buy another PC and you had to spend the money all over again! The outcry was so strong that they soon abandoned that crappy idea.

[Frick]

Originally Posted by qubit

The one good bit of news about this is that it hasn't come into effect yet. Get a TechNet sub now and you can have it under the old termes and keep your software.

WHen will it come in effect? Because I really totally want a sub but I have no idea how I'm supposed to afford one.

[qubit]

Originally Posted by Frick

WHen will it come in effect? Because I really totally want a sub but I have no idea how I'm supposed to afford one.

Microsoft don't say. It's all part of the Plan...

[DanishDevil]

Are you sure they won't force current subscribers to abide by those rules?

Tough to swallow the sub when all that's coming out is W8 and Office 2013? After a year, they'll make you abide by those rules anyway.

[Arctucas]

Having contacted TechNet for an unrelated matter, I took the opportunity to ask for some clarification regarding the new terms.

I was informed that the new terms only apply to new subscriptions or renewals made on or after July 16, the date the new terms were implemented.

In effect, if your subscription was active prior to July 16, and you have not renewed your subscription since July 16, you are covered under the old terms.

I asked about whether the license keys issued under a subscription prior to July 16 would be valid should I choose not to renew my subscription, and was informed that the keys would be good in perpetuity unless I renewed my subscription, and then they would be subject to the new terms; i.e. would only be valid for 12 months unless I again renewed my subscription.

In other words, if you did not renew or purchase a new subscription after July 16, do not renew your subscription or you will subject to having your keys expire. However, you will, of course, lose all your benefits such as downloading new software and keys, technical support, etc.

Also, I discovered that (for me anyway) each key has a limit of twenty activations.

[dank1983man420]

looks like we i'm letting my sub run out in Jan and starting a new one!

Thanks for the info!

[H82LUZ73]

Windows 8 is up right now for you guys that are going to use it.

File info and size.

File Name: en_windows_8_x64_dvd_915440.iso
Languages: English
SHA1: 1CE53AD5F60419CF04A715CF3233F247E48BEEC4
size is 3.3 Gigabytes. Seems smaller then Win7 And you only get Win8 Pro to download.

[WhiteLotus]

Hey guys, I am looking at getting Technet standard subscription for £133, is it really that worth it? I read that once your subscription expires the keys you have become inactive, is that true?

[TheMailMan78]

Originally Posted by WhiteLotus

Hey guys, I am looking at getting Technet standard subscription for £133, is it really that worth it? I read that once your subscription expires the keys you have become inactive, is that true?

Its not worth it anymore man from what I have read.

[WhiteLotus]

Originally Posted by TheMailMan78

Its not worth it anymore man from what I have read.

I want a new Window 7 key, and office 2013 when it is available, and give Windows 8 a spin. I really don't want to have to buy all the keys again once the year is out. I would like to format my drive more than once and use the keys more than the few times a year.

[Frick]

Originally Posted by WhiteLotus

Hey guys, I am looking at getting Technet standard subscription for £133, is it really that worth it? I read that once your subscription expires the keys you have become inactive, is that true?

look up a bit and arcturus has an answer.

But no not worth it anymore imo. For most people.

[erocker]

Originally Posted by WhiteLotus

Hey guys, I am looking at getting Technet standard subscription for £133, is it really that worth it?

If you're using more than one or two computers, yes.

I read that once your subscription expires the keys you have become inactive, is that true?

I've been subscribing for about 5 years and this has not been the case.

In your situation, the subscription is justified due to Windows 7, Office 13, and Windows 8 is going to cost you more than 133 quid.

[Frick]

Originally Posted by erocker

If you're using more than one or two computers, yes.



I've been subscribing for about 5 years and this has not been the case.

In your situation, the subscription is justified due to Windows 7, Office 13, and Windows 8 is going to cost you more than 133 quid.

But they chaged that some time ago didn't they? Go back in this thread a couple of pages and you'll see. Or did they back out?

EDIT: No it's changed alright. Your keys will only work if you have an active Technet sub. When the sub is ended for any reason the Sub Agreement states, as Arcturas said, destroy the software you got. And even if you don't care about that the keys will expire anyway, meaning you can't reactivate them should you have to.

[qubit]

Microsoft pulling this stunt with the expiring keys is so much the mark of them losing their dominant position and trying to pathetically hold on to it.

Yeah, don't bother with a TechNet sub any more. Heck, try to avoid buying Microsoft products if at all possible and go with Android or Linux where you can.

[Frick]

Originally Posted by qubit

Microsoft pulling this stunt with the expiring keys is so much the mark of them losing their dominant position and trying to pathetically hold on to it.

Yeah, don't bother with a TechNet sub any more. Heck, try to avoid buying Microsoft products if at all possible and go with Android or Linux where you can.

"ok".

TBH though I don't know what to say. Such a dumb, dumb post.

[qubit]

Originally Posted by Frick

"ok".

TBH though I don't know what to say. Such a dumb, dumb post.

Dumb post? Who are you to judge my posts? Speak for yourself.

[WhiteLotus]

Originally Posted by qubit

Yeah, don't bother with a TechNet sub any more. Heck, try to avoid buying Microsoft products if at all possible and go with Android or Linux where you can.

I don't think I will, but i need the microsoft products other options don't even come close.

[Mindweaver]

I say it's worth it. Why would anyone not renew there sub is beyond me. Given the amount of software you have access to is worth the price. I say buy it.

[Luke]

I Find Technet is worth it for me since i use Ms Exchange, Server 2012, Server 2008 R2,Windows 8,Windows 7, Office 2010 and Office 2013 ect