Windows 7: Technet Plus changed and Reduced number of Keys to 5

Sign in to your account - go to the Downloads page and look in the upper left - should be MY PRODUCT KEYS - look there. Hope it works, worth a try.

Sent them an email. Will post any response I get.

That is true but doesn't really change the issue. I was "granted a license to use 10 keys" when I paid them my money. Now they've taken away 5/8 keys. This change should really have been made for new subscriptions/renewals and they should have honored the "contracts" "signed" when you paid for the subscriptions.

The perceived uncaring/heavy handed behavior only hurts their image in a lot of people's minds. MS does NOT need to draw any more fire on to themselves. Thier fans and tech pros do them a TREMENDOUS service in public relations. They should realize that and take care not to damage that releationship like this.

I have decided never to 'push' MS ever again. I fully realise my little bit is less than a drop in the ocean, but goodwill is goodwill and I do not have any left.

Did it actually say 10 keys anywhere? It seems people used to ask all of the time, "how many keys do I get and how many activiations?". So, I don't think it was stamped all over the program in any way.


What are we the tech pros going to do though?

--Would we say that MS is now evil and our corporate clients should rid themselves of everything Microsoft immediately and go with another operating system in their business?

--In many ways, I think these programs with their ridiculously low costs can actually be a disservice, as it gives us the ability to load up just about anything we want with very little cost...but then once we decide that we really need to sell it to a customer, it's a ton of money for the licenses, CAL's, etc... I hear it around here all of the time. Somebody plays with a Linux server at home or at work...and somebody here says, "Screw that, use 2008 R2 instead...it's great, it's what I use...wasting your time on Linux is just that..a waste of your time". However, the costs to actually run a server 2008 box for something like an FTP server for public use can get very, very expensive...by time you pay for the unlimited connector license for the web services. But what do people with Technet care, to screw around with it for them, was next to nothing in terms of costs.


For the record, I dislike the fact that this had to happen and as a consumer I wouldn't be thrilled with it. However, I understand why it was done and I can understand why it was done with little to no communication. I still maintain that for $199...what you get with this program...with just 2 keys is pathetically cheap. It's actually mindboggling to me that Technet doesn't cost at least $1,500 a year with expiring keys.

For those who are really upset, persue Microsoft and consider dropping your subscription. There is a plethora of free software alternatives out there...you don't have to use Microsoft.

I called TechNet here in the US and was told this action was the direct result of trying to counter piracy of MS software.

Having worked in Law Enforcement, I always found it frustrating that we had to play by the rules, and the bad guys didn't. I know how MS feels. Blame the bad guys, you know who you are.........................................................................

i tried the email address above and got a reply, automated unfortunately...

i'm not sure what an unmonitored email alias is.

Don't worry Mickey that is what you would receive first - it allocates a case number and then you should receive an answer pretty quickley afterwards.

Who hasn't contacted MS adout it, I posted this almost 2 days ago.





For those that haven't realized or checked for them-selves ...


We still get 5 / 2 keys each for W_7
Ultimate
Pro
H Premium and so on

The same with the Office products

2010 5
2007 5

XP 5

All the Vista's 5 each.

Now don't get me wrong, I'm not being an apologist for MS, I'm as mad as he!! like everyone else about them breaking a contract but I can live with what I have.

The software is what I want access to.



I'm going to say this and I don't care ...

I'm p!ssed everyone 'harvested' all those keys they won't use and just made it look like we're all pirates and y'all have helped to make it hard on the rest of us that have abided by the rules, I wish there were a way for MS to deal with that side of it so we didn't have to pay for your actions; y'all deserve what you get but I don't.

Not everyone who opted to "harvest" their keys are pirates... I claimed all of mine, and now in hindsight, Im glad that I did...