Windows 7 - Technet Plus

So I got this email to get the Technet Plus, So I got this and would like to know who all has this and is it really worth the money, Because I really want Windows7 Ult. Tell me what you think.

Technet Plus is a great way to go, as you get access to pretty much everything. Office, Windows, Server Editions etc. If I had the money, I would definitely buy a subscription. As it is, I'm waiting to hear back from the IT Pro Momentum program.

Whats that?

More info here: Full Version Software Evaluation & Technical Resources | TechNet Plus
I've got it and it's helped me out a lot!

As I understand it, you get time-unlimited full install 'demos' of all the important microsoft software(desktop OS, servers, office etc etc) that you can use to build test systems with, prior to going live. If those systems are used for production or staging use (i.e. including your main desktop for normal user), you're supposed to then get the proper licences for that.


While your installs don't stop working once you stop subscribing to technet, I do have a couple of questions for people who do have it;

1) Does your install key expire if your sub is not renewed; i.e. can you reinstall a given technet OS with the key you already have if you don't renew, or does activation stop you?
2) Can you install and activate multiple copies of a given key on different machines; say I want to test windows 7 deployment to multiple hardware setups, will I get blocked entirely after the first 3 installs&activations or the like, or do I just have to seek approval from phone drone activation ?

DISCLAIMER - I get a free copy of the MSDN and the TechNet Plus as a "perk" for being an MVP.

I don't believe that they stop, but I've never asked the question. I don't believe that they'd be transferrable tho' - as you wouldn't be eligible to activate anything if the subscription expired.

The license gives you 10 copies for "evaluation" purposes. I had issues once with activating Office 2007 - but a bit of whining and complaining got me a supervisor who understood the way that TechNet worked (and got me activated).

I've never exceeded the 10 copy limit, so I don't know what'll happen. But I would expect it'd be the same thing that would happen with regular product keys - a bit of time talking to the phone activation drone to get it to work.

I've activated WinXP (about 5 times), WinVista (about 3 times), Server 2003 R2 (once) and Server 2008 (once) this way without a hitch.

FWIW - I'd prefer the Volume Licensing stuff if it's OS's that you're concerned with. It gives you access to the Desktop Toolkit - which isn't available at TechNet or MSDN

We're a schools agreement customer, with a bunch of MOLP stuff for various bits we don't want to site licence. I'm trying to talk the school into adding vista business to the schools agreement, so we can go up to 7 when it comes out using our KMS (we're universally on XP at the moment).

Assuming we do do that though, I'm going to be doing prep work for the 7 migration over the summer/autumn, along with testing taking our vmware hosted servers from a mix of (some) 2003 and 2008 to 2008 R2 across the board - we want RDP 7 amongst other things.

A technet sub would be an ideal way to get that testing rolling before we start deploying by buying with real licences.

Cheers for the info!

It's a program for IT pros that work for small companies. The organization that I work for has about 25 laptop/desktops and 4 servers, so I decided to try and get in to the program. It would give me a free Technet sub, so I'm hoping they get back to me soon. If you google it, I'm sure you can find the page to apply for it.

I got a Technet sub and thanks to a friend on here I saved $200. It's well worth it. I can can upgrade mine and family's pcs with Windows 7 and office 2010. That alone makes it money well spent.

tw33k, I have not seen anything with Office 2010 yet, when will it be available ???