[Expired] TechNet Plus subscription $99 for students

[Winterpool]

Microsoft is offering new one-year subscriptions to TechNet Plus for $99 with the code TSTNT7.

A TechNet Plus Direct subscription entitles you to nonexpiring evaluation licences for pretty much every major MS software package. Amongst the highlights:

- Windows Server 2008
- Windows Vista Ultimate (and Business)
- Office Ultimate 2007
- Exchange; ISA Server; SQL Server; SharePoint; MS Operations Manager; etc

Discount code subscription link

I've never subscribed to TechNet, so I'm not really familiar with the details (visit the site for the fine print). As a TechNet Direct subscriber, you won't receive physical media (dvds) -- everything will have to be downloaded, and these files aren't small. The software is available for you to 'evaluate full-version commercial products -- without time limits or feature limits'. The idea is that as an IT professional (or future IT pro in this case), you get to test drive pretty much everything in the MS lineup.

Perhaps TechNet subscribers could describe the pros and cons of this offer in better detail. But at $99, I'm having some difficulty keeping my credit card holstered...

Also I'm not sure what having a university MSDNAA account has to do with this particular offer, since MS seems to be giving away the code to everyone.

 

[Synomenon]

Wow thanks for posting this!

 

[Slaben]

Great deal! Thanks!

Go in through the software link provided otherwise you have to sign in as a student of an approved educational institution.

 

[JDMnAR1]

$99 is an EXCELLENT deal on this. I am a current TechNet Direct subscriber, and it is well worth the money. Unlike the Action Pack subscription, the right to use the software does not expire when your subscription does. You simply don't get any more updates.

 

[LittleNemoNES]

tag for later

does this mean that I can get vista retail for 99?
or only for 1 year?

Thanks!

 

[Winterpool]

Again, an actual TechNet subscriber would be a better authority on this, but... I believe that the licences grant you use of the software in perpetuity. I'm less sure about whether you can re-instal software after the year is up (ie will the key still enable clean installations), but I believe you can. You can also instal the software on up to 10 machines.

Essentially you're getting 10 retail-equivalent licences for each piece of software; only you can't use it for any public role (ie a real business). 'Evaluation' only, even if you're evaluating for the next five years...

The actual licence terms are available here. Enjoy the legalese!

 

[bassoprofundo]

I went ahead and bit on this one. Can't beat all that for $99. What I want to know is why it takes 10 days to deliver your subscription when it's all electronic...

 

[JDMnAR1]

Just uploaded a couple of screen shots showing an overview of what is currently available via the TechNet Direct download center. Typically, the desktop software can be installed on up to 10 machines (including Office/Vista/XP) and the server software can be installed on one machine.

TN1.JPG
TN2.JPG
TN3.JPG

 

[JDMnAR1]

Originally posted by: bassoprofundo
I went ahead and bit on this one. Can't beat all that for $99. What I want to know is why it takes 10 days to deliver your subscription when it's all electronic...

Because they actually snail mail a 'Welcome Kit' with a subscriber card with your subscription ID and expiration date on it.

 

[raincityboy]

Thanks for posting this Winterpool.

 

[bassoprofundo]

Originally posted by: JDMnAR1

Originally posted by: bassoprofundo
I went ahead and bit on this one. Can't beat all that for $99. What I want to know is why it takes 10 days to deliver your subscription when it's all electronic...

Because they actually snail mail a 'Welcome Kit' with a subscriber card with your subscription ID and expiration date on it.

Ah... Makes sense. I wouldn't want to feel "unwelcome." Thanks again for posting the deal! Been wanting a way to get back into Technet. My company is a large MS customer, so I have access to all the Technet resources, but the software side of it isn't as "accessible" to me as it was years ago.

 

[Tenet]

:thumbsup: I'm in, thanks Winterpool!

 

[TheDrake]

Originally posted by: JDMnAR1
$99 is an EXCELLENT deal on this. I am a current TechNet Direct subscriber, and it is well worth the money. Unlike the Action Pack subscription, the right to use the software does not expire when your subscription does. You simply don't get any more updates.

You wont get any updates meaning no more windows updates will be available for you?

 

[nylife]

Originally posted by: TheDrake

Originally posted by: JDMnAR1
$99 is an EXCELLENT deal on this. I am a current TechNet Direct subscriber, and it is well worth the money. Unlike the Action Pack subscription, the right to use the software does not expire when your subscription does. You simply don't get any more updates.

You wont get any updates meaning no more windows updates will be available for you?

regular windows/office updates will be availble what wont be unless you renew is the new upgraded version like windows whatever they going to call it next

 

[JDMnAR1]

Originally posted by: nylife

Originally posted by: TheDrake

Originally posted by: JDMnAR1
$99 is an EXCELLENT deal on this. I am a current TechNet Direct subscriber, and it is well worth the money. Unlike the Action Pack subscription, the right to use the software does not expire when your subscription does. You simply don't get any more updates.

You wont get any updates meaning no more windows updates will be available for you?

regular windows/office updates will be availble what wont be unless you renew is the new upgraded version like windows whatever they going to call it next

Exactly. The end of the subscription does not impact your ability to update your systems via Windows or Microsoft Updates. It just means you won't be able to go to the TechNet site and download new releases of the various applications and OS software when they are released.

 

[Synomenon]

When I ordered, it said that I was being shipped something? I thought we were just buying a subscription (login and password) to get in?

 

[JDMnAR1]

Originally posted by: IsLNdbOi
When I ordered, it said that I was being shipped something? I thought we were just buying a subscription (login and password) to get in?

Look up about 7 posts.

When you get your shipment, you will associate your subscriber ID with your Windows Live ID to gain access to the subscriber ares.

 

[crimson117]

Just jumped on this... I plan on building a new Vista PC in the next few months, this will be very useful for me to evaluate MS software

 

[Synomenon]

Originally posted by: JDMnAR1

Originally posted by: IsLNdbOi
When I ordered, it said that I was being shipped something? I thought we were just buying a subscription (login and password) to get in?

Look up about 7 posts.

When you get your shipment, you will associate your subscriber ID with your Windows Live ID to gain access to the subscriber ares.

I've read all the posts in this thread.

I don't get it, why don't they just email us the information instead of sending us something with the information in it?

 

[Ecoli99]

This seems to be a really great deal. I may have to bite on this as well.

 

[Harsh3090416]

CAn you backup the operating systems to a disk?

i mean do we get an activation key of the operating system

 

[ginfest]

TY OP another great deal
Payday isn't even over and already the coin is headed back out :laugh:
Guess I should stop reading this section quick b4 I see any others

 

[TheDrake]

Alright well in for one for Windows server 2008, I already have 3 Vista Ultimates and 1 office ultimate, but whats one more, haha. Thanks OP!

 

[JDMnAR1]

Originally posted by: Harsh3090416
CAn you backup the operating systems to a disk?

i mean do we get an activation key of the operating system

In most instances, the software you download is actually an ISO of the installation media so yes, you can burn a copy of the media. And yes, the subscription does include license keys for the software.

 

[Magelord]

Thank you OP

I signed up as well

Note , you have to Choose Technet Plus Direct, which ids the first of 2 choices.

i tried the second, more expensive choice and even though it appeared to accept the code, it still looked like it wanted to charge me $599

But I started over and chose the cheaper choice, Technet Plus Direct, and after the coupon the correct price of $99 showed up.