• Some users have recently had their accounts hijacked. It seems that the now defunct EVGA forums might have compromised your password there and seems many are using the same PW here. We would suggest you UPDATE YOUR PASSWORD and TURN ON 2FA for your account here to further secure it. None of the compromised accounts had 2FA turned on.
    Once you have enabled 2FA, your account will be updated soon to show a badge, letting other members know that you use 2FA to protect your account. This should be beneficial for everyone that uses FSFT.

100 off technet

G

groebuck

2[H]4U
2FA
Joined
Mar 9, 2000
Messages
2,688
TEYFY09

use the above code

www.technet.com

makes the sub 249.00 gives you all MS OS'es, server OS, Business servers (sql, exchange) early access to betas - online training and two actual ms support calls.
 
Good deal, my guess is that we won't be seeing the $99 deal anymore/any time soon... At this price it's well worth it, (hell it's worth it, for me at least, at full price.)
 
I'm not a Microsoft power user. Is it economical to subscribe even if you plan to use only a couple products, like Windows 7 and Office 2007? And typically on one machine at a time? Or could I install another copy of Windows 7 on my girlfriend's laptop?

At first it seems practical, but having to pay $250 every year seems like it'll end up costing me way more than what I get out of it.
 
Comes to $263.94 after tax. Seems like a good deal to me since I want a couple Win7 keys anyway and wouldn't mind trying Office 2010.
 
If I subscribed, could I put Windows 7 on my computer, my girlfriend's laptop, and WHS on an upcoming Norco 4220 build?
 
GJSNeptune said:
If I subscribed, could I put Windows 7 on my computer, my girlfriend's laptop, and WHS on an upcoming Norco 4220 build?
Click to expand...

You will get the keys which don't expire, all the software are retail copies with retail keys. You could buy a one year sub and not renew, and you'll still be able to use the keys and software. Just be sure to download all the ISOs and save your keys before your sub expires.

You typically get 10 keys for each software, and even each sub-version of it. For example, Vista Business, Home Premium, and Ultimate are all different versions, so you get 10 keys for each. You get a single key for WHS which I think is multiple-use.
 
GJSNeptune said:
I'm not a Microsoft power user. Is it economical to subscribe even if you plan to use only a couple products, like Windows 7 and Office 2007? And typically on one machine at a time? Or could I install another copy of Windows 7 on my girlfriend's laptop?
Click to expand...

Well think about this: Would the cost of TechNet be less than the cost of the few products you might use? In most cases, it is.

I paid $290 for my TechNet subscription. I've downloaded the following so far:

Microsoft Office 2007 Enterprise
Windows Vista Ultimate x64 (two keys, two licenses)
Microsoft Server 2008 Enterprise x64
Microsoft Exchange Server 2007
Microsoft Windows Virtual Server 2005

Add up the costs of all that software and my TechNet subscription would have been a steal even at full price. Plus I get access to all the Beta and RC software I want.
 
As an Amazon Associate, HardForum may earn from qualifying purchases.
BillLeeLee said:
You will get the keys which don't expire, all the software are retail copies with retail keys. You could buy a one year sub and not renew, and you'll still be able to use the keys and software. Just be sure to download all the ISOs and save your keys before your sub expires.

You typically get 10 keys for each software, and even each sub-version of it. For example, Vista Business, Home Premium, and Ultimate are all different versions, so you get 10 keys for each. You get a single key for WHS which I think is multiple-use.
Click to expand...
Wow. I figured the keys required an active sub. That's killer then.

Any idea when/if this code expires?
 
Is there anyway for Joe User to sign up. It looks like I might need to be a MS partner?
 
If I subscribed, could I put Windows 7 on my computer, my girlfriend's laptop, and WHS on an upcoming Norco 4220 build?
Click to expand...
technically yes...legally, no ..

unless I'm interpreting this wrong...
2 Software licensed for evaluation purposes only - not for use in staging or production environments.
Click to expand...
 
GJSNeptune said:
What constitutes staging and production?
Click to expand...

I honestly don't know.....but my guess would be Microsoft is well aware of the fact that many people download and use the software for personal use on multiple machines ...all legality aside, it would be very naive of them to think otherwise....


I'm not condoning this, I'm just making an observation.
 
You should use one key for one machine and no more.Hell you get 10 keys for each product. What more do you need?
 
ok just to get this more clear,

If i buy this sub, i can download full retail versions of vista, windows 7, office and such. and have them be legit for ever? by retail i mean if i went and bought it at newegg.
 
GJSNeptune said:
That was the plan. So it wouldn't be illegal as Crosshairs suggests?
Click to expand...

Correct, as long as you tie an individual key with each system you put together you are golden.

Right now I've got:
Vista home prem x2(maybe 3)
Office Ultimate (x2)
WHS (x1)
Win7 RC1 (x1)
XP Pro (x2)

all of the Vista systems will be going Win 7 once they are out there in full release, (and given that you get 10 keys per product) I should be in fine shape. Just a matter of pulling down all the ISO's and backing them up to disk/HDD for later use.

For me this thing has paid for itself many times over.
 
darkz179 said:
ok just to get this more clear,

If i buy this sub, i can download full retail versions of vista, windows 7, office and such. and have them be legit for ever? by retail i mean if i went and bought it at newegg.
Click to expand...

correct from everything I can tell.
 
Ok, I know that many of you have tried to answer this, but I just want to make sure I understand 100% correctly before I go out and spend $250 + tax.

Will you'll get:

10x Windows Vista keys (if so, which versions? 10x home premium + 10x enterprise, etc.???)
10x Office Keys (just Office Enterprise? I mean, not that that's bad or anything, I just want to know)
10x Windows Server keys

etc...??

Sorry for being redundant I just want to know how many computers I'll be able to legally install Windows on in my home. People have said here that installing on more than one computer is illegal, and others have said you get 10 keys. If you get 10 keys, WHY would it be illegal to install on only two computers??? Someone please just explain to me exactly how it works. I'm sorry if you feel like the answer's already here, but I'm just confused by what I see.
 
darkz179 said:
ok just to get this more clear,

If i buy this sub, i can download full retail versions of vista, windows 7, office and such. and have them be legit for ever? by retail i mean if i went and bought it at newegg.
Click to expand...
Correct, the licenses never expire.
 
SirKronan, You get at least all of that except I think only one Server Key, (not possitive but can check later). And yes you can load Vista/7/XP onto more then one computer, but use a different key for EACH computer. So theoretically you can get 10 computers running vista, 10 running XP, and 10 running 7. Also, not sure but others have eluded to getting 10 keys for each version of windows, XP Home, XP Pro, Vista Home, Vista Buisness, Vista Ultimate, 7 Home, 7 Buisness, and 7 Ultimate so that's 80 OS keys right there if he's correct.

And that's just OS's, just think of all the other products that microsoft sells and you get the idea of how much crap you can use for this measily $250. I grabbed it last year for $99 and seriously thinking of renewing for the $250 to get Win7 when it comes out.

Just don't be stupid and try to make money off this by building computers and throwing these keys on there, you would get nailed hardcore when they find out. (notice I said when not IF)
 
Last edited:
SirKronan said:
Ok, I know that many of you have tried to answer this, but I just want to make sure I understand 100% correctly before I go out and spend $250 + tax.

Will you'll get:

10x Windows Vista keys (if so, which versions? 10x home premium + 10x enterprise, etc.???)
10x Office Keys (just Office Enterprise? I mean, not that that's bad or anything, I just want to know)
10x Windows Server keys

etc...??

Sorry for being redundant I just want to know how many computers I'll be able to legally install Windows on in my home. People have said here that installing on more than one computer is illegal, and others have said you get 10 keys. If you get 10 keys, WHY would it be illegal to install on only two computers??? Someone please just explain to me exactly how it works. I'm sorry if you feel like the answer's already here, but I'm just confused by what I see.
Click to expand...

no enterprise editions. Enterprise editions are generally VLK's, and no TechNet gives you VLK's, only retail keys.

but somebody correct me if I'm wrong :p
 
In the context of a business you cannot get a technet sub and then run you ad/exchage/sql off of it. In the context of an oem builder you cannot sell pcs with the OS installed off a technet key. Basically you can use it in any way you see fit that is not a business process. For example in a virtual environment if you want to test and learn AD or Exchange or SQL (or even in a live env). If you want to install and use it on your home pc - or three home pcs. The copies are legal, licensed copies for evaluation.

You don't get 10 different keys. You get one key generated to your tech net account. You can use it about 10 times - but if you need a new key you can just generate a new one. So for vista there is one key generated. For server 2008 same thing. You can install it on 10 boxes - after the 10th the activation may say the key is expired and you go to the tech net site and generate a new one.
 
groebuck said:
You don't get 10 different keys. You get one key generated to your tech net account. You can use it about 10 times - but if you need a new key you can just generate a new one. So for vista there is one key generated. For server 2008 same thing. You can install it on 10 boxes - after the 10th the activation may say the key is expired and you go to the tech net site and generate a new one.
Click to expand...

This just made it confusing again...
 
One key is good for ten different installations, whether on one machine or ten different machines. Basically ten activations. After that, you generate a new key. Seems rather unlimited, heh.
 
Isn't running one key on more than one machine not allowed? Earlier it was said of different keys for individual systems.
 
lowteckh said:
This just made it confusing again...
Click to expand...


sorry - okay so

you log in to tech net site and click the dl keys link.

It takes you to a web page with all the products on the left side - Like desktop OS, Servers, Apps etc...

You expand that to say Desktop oses and it lists all of them from win 3.1 to Win 7

You click win 7 - on the right side it lists - a crap ton of version - 32 bit 64 bit, updates to 7, korean version etc..

Next to each is a button to DL the iso and generate KEY. The generate key button will generate a key for 64 bit win 7 - that key I can use for 10 installs.

It would be the same process for XP with SP 3 or Vista with SP1 etc....You would generate a key for EACH OS or thing you DL. Each key would be good for 10 installs. (and if you ever go back to technet site - you can see what keys you already generated...)

Some things like office 2007 have the key imbedded in the .exe install.

but basically

pick OS - DL iso - generate one key for That OS - key good for 10 installs

rinse and repeat for others.
 
He/She said one key for 10 installations... which conflicts with prior mentions of one key per installation. Whatever the technicalities, think it's agreeable at least 10 OS installs are good to go. Seems worth it for 3 Win7 Ultimates.

edit: thx groebuck, made it easier to visualize.
 
lowteckh said:
Isn't running one key on more than one machine not allowed? Earlier it was said of different keys for individual systems.
Click to expand...

not with technet - the registration is like a VLK (volume license key) it is tied to your tech net account. Big companies do not do installs with each pc having a different key. They use one key tied to their corp - same principle smaller scale.
 
And that's how they'll catch you if you decide to go public with the keys..
 
I just signed up today and just installed one XP key into a VM machine. So each key is good for 10 machines for everything? OSes and Office products? I was about to make a new key for XP for my old Win2K box but I won't bother if each one is good for 10 machines.
 
I'm so tempted, but $250 is a lot to drop at once, especially with another four months to wait.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top