Windows 7: Technet subscriptions --Keys to be REDUCED again to 3 in Mid Mar

Hi all
It seems that the number of keys available on TechNet Pro subscriptions will be reduced from 5 to 3 in Mid Mar so if you want keys and you still are allowed 5 get them NOW.

Not sure if this effects CURRENT subscribers or New ones -- but remembering the fiasco when they reduced it from 10 to 5 I suspect this will work for everyone now --or at least after renewal time.


Here's a screenshot of the message

Cheers
jimbo

I've always said for years that they gave away way too much with the Technet program for the price. I always thought that it should cost a ton more than it does. There is far too much of a difference between a single retail copy of Windows or Office and everything you get within the Technet program.

This is all caused by people subscribing and giving keys to all the family and friends. What could be a good idea is perhaps a 'family subscription' to Microsoft products; pretty much the same as TechNet, minus 'specialist' programs, but with a lisence suited to families with 4+ computers, like mine.

The Non-Profit that I support (volunteer) provides me a two year technet plus sub for around $23, (that is twenty three dollars US) thru techsoup.

I keep honest with the sub by only using the subscription for testing for them.

Rich

Hi there
since my last post about a week ago the key reduction from 5 to 3 on most client products has been implemented.

I got my 5 before this started.

Servers etc still 5 (or 1 with Multiple activation for some products).

I suspect even 3 might be reduced further.

I don't have too much of a problem with even 3 --but what I'm getting NOW is not what I signed up for.

I think EXISTING suscribers should keep the 5 --any misuse Ms can always block the account and black list the keys.

Changing conditions during the currency of a subscription doesn't to me seem an "ethical" way to run a business --it just tells me Contracts aren't worth the paper they are printed on".

Cheers
jimbo

Well, at $350USD the TechNet Pro with (mostly) 3 licenses is a steal compared to the Visual Studio Ultimate with MSDN program (mostly 5 or 10 licenses, a few single licenses) at $11,900USD that I had a year ago (which was $100 more when I activated it)!

No, I didn't renew as my project was complete but multiple TechNet subscriptions might be a better choice down the road.

Regards,
GEWB

Hi there
even this route of getting another subscription is being looked at by MS

If you don't apparently have a reason to get another subscription accounts in some cases are blocked.

I'm not against MS blocking misuse -- I've seen people giving keys to family members etc or even populating torrents -- but we aren't ALL CRIMINALS.

Cheers
jimbo

In a way I don't mind this.. Who needs that many keys when each key can be used and activated on 10 different pc's simultaneously.... And for operating systems where you can get multiple keys for multiple versions no wonder they end up on torrent sites and being sold

My 2 pennies

I'm a tech net member. I got my five keys when they went from ten. But you mention something I was not aware of. Can my indivdual keys run more that one machine? The way I am reading your post it is possible.

Yes.
Technet keys (amongst others) are MAK - Multiple Activation Keys.
Source - http://social.technet.microsoft.com

MAK keys can have varying amount of activations but for Technet the standard for the majority of applications/os/servers is 10.

A quick look in google results for "technet key activation" will show plenty on supporting forum opinions Sadly I can't find the official source at the moment but it is out there somewhere. My current setup has all 5 of my real machines all on the same key and activated, makes management simpler.

So I hope you now realise you have effectively have 50 keys instead of 5, which is no doubt why these cuts are coming in, who needs 50 to test....?