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

Me too. I think my renewal fee was abot $150.00, may have to plan to do so just as "a cost of doing business". Still a pretty good deal with the 5 key limit.

My other concern is a limit on Re-activations. You can only activate so many times on one PC. Etc.
Basically, a more limited license than even OEM.

I could see them doing this and making MSDN a little more pricey with it's Production Use Level Licensing.

As you mentioned earlier, Winsows 7 popularity presented some new issues for MS - some good - some maybe not so good. They'll probably look the deals over and see what they need to change for their own good.

For today, I'm happy.

This only seems reasonable to me. Considering how much software you get for such a nominal amount. IT professionals will obviously just keep renewing it. It's more than worth it.

I don't really know if it would be more restrictive than an OEM. I've got an MSDN account at work and with the testing that I do, I normally don't even enter a key when I install the software....as 30 days is more than enough for whatever I have to do. And testing is the intended purpose of Technet....not for using for long term use.

Yes, I agree, that is all true.

I always say, you get what you pay for.

While I am bummed about the possibility. I would not fault them either. I know it sounded that way from my earlier statements. As I am a PC Tech, everything I do with Microsoft Software is testing and evaluation, and learning. I would not like to see a full on Subscription based OS though. This would not be a good thing.

Anyway. Kinda getting off the point a bit.

I was just talking with a colleague about this, and basically explained to them that,,,,,,

In this World, there can never be any such thing as a monopoly. Not really. Perciveved Monopoly yes.
If you don't like a company or have issues with their product, you are not obligated to purchase it or even use it. Not one single solitary company on the face of the planet can survive without consumers, unless it is heavily Gov't subsided. Even then, in many countries, you can vote the people in that would stop subsidizing such companies.

So no company can truly stand on it's own without the people it wishes to serve.

If you don't like it, don't buy it, vote with your dollars, not laws. Your money does speak louder.

That's exactly why I use Linux on other computers and don't support piracy. If I'm against Microsoft for charging so much money for their OS's...I don't want to give them the time of day and get 1 more installed desktop if I am unwilling to pay for it. I'd rather go against the tide, do it different and have it my way.

Hi all
This might be a "Better" tactic for those that need more keys.
When your subscription runs out DON't renew it but take out a New one.

Might cost a little more than a renewal but ALL the numbers are reset so you should be able to get the maximum number again.

They deliberately DIDN'T make an announcement on this because there would have been SLEWS of people getting the 10 keys.

Actually IMO it would have made MUCH better sense for MS to allow ONLY 1 KEY for each product but allow it to be used say 10 times --In a way I understand because a lot of these keys have been appearing on Torrent sites and in software sold on ebay.

However if MS make stuff TOO restrictive then we all know what happens then.

I REALLY DO HOPE that the rumour about keys expiring with your subscription are false --that bothers me a LOT more than the reduction to 5 as even 5 should be MORE than enough for most people and in any case I've never found a problem if you have to re-activate by phone.

Cheers
jumbo

I've never read that there was any limit on how many times you can use a single key to activate an OS. I've used the TechNet Plus software as intended, in a test lab environment. I have built quite a few test servers from a single activation key and I haven't had a failed activation yet. I dont see how they can "de-activate" your test keys once your subscription lapses. I have even installed test servers using keys from pretty old TechNet subs. The TechNet Plus program is a marketing tool, I dont think they are going to start messing with the effectiveness of it in that way. But you never know in today's economy...

For Technet Standard, The limit is now 2 keys for each of the Windows 7 and Office 2010 products instead of 10 each. I think I'll ask for 80% of my payment back!

This happened to my account too. I paid almost $300 for a sub 2 months ago, and now its suddenly cut in half to 5 keys each.

I talked to a nice fellow on the technet online help system. He was completely unaware of any change to the key policy. He told me its almost definitely a website error, and not to worry in any case because i can request as many keys as i want through the technet fullfillment center.

He told me he is sending my inquiry to the technet team themselves, and they will email me back on whats actually going on. fingers crossed. i can deal with only 5 keys upfront as long as no other rules change. it would be completely unacceptable to have the keys expire after the sub runs out, i paid too much money for that.

so like i said, before anyone jumps to conclusions lets just wait and hope alvin the concierge was right, this is just a website error (likely because they changed the new-sub technet plans, they have 2 plans now and theyre probably just getting things worked out).

i too was never informed of any changes to my existing account whatsoever before all this, and like i said the help guy said he really doesnt think there is any changes. we will see!

ps- if you guys also try clicking on "download and product key FAQ", youll notice that link is down too. they are clearly having issues with the technet account webpages, so this very well could be just a temporary error