TechNet Plus Direct

By Tantawi
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Grand Master

Tantawi

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Hi all,

Preparing to upgrade to Windows Vista, I'm searching for the cheapest way to obtain the Ultimate version legally.

I've came to "TechNet Plus Direct" subscription, which includes Vista Ultimate as I read, but I'm still confused about some other aspects and can't really get a straight direct answer on MS site:

1- What does this particular subscription include? Vista and Office? or Vista only? if office is included, what edition?

2- Can I keep running the software I downloaded even if I didn't renew my subscription after a year with Windows Update and so?

3- It says I'll have 10 activations, can I and some family members share the same serial?

4- What happens after the 10 activation runs out?

5- If I took a disk image after installing Vista, and used it to restore teh system later, do I still need to reactivate? or it'll be already activated?

Sorry and thanks for your help :)

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Grand Master

Steven P. Administrators

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Hi all,

Preparing to upgrade to Windows Vista, I'm searching for the cheapest way to obtain the Ultimate version legally.

I've came to "TechNet Plus Direct" subscription, which includes Vista Ultimate as I read, but I'm still confused about some other aspects and can't really get a straight direct answer on MS site:

1- What does this particular subscription include? Vista and Office? or Vista only? if office is included, what edition? Not sure, may include Office 2007 Professional

2- Can I keep running the software I downloaded even if I didn't renew my subscription after a year with Windows Update and so? Yes

3- It says I'll have 10 activations, can I and some family members share the same serial? Yes, up to 10 different PC's

4- What happens after the 10 activation runs out? The 11th PC won't activate

5- If I took a disk image after installing Vista, and used it to restore teh system later, do I still need to reactivate? or it'll be already activated? You will need to re-activate, which applies to a retail edition too

Sorry and thanks for your help :)

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Grand Master

Tantawi

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Thanks for the reply Neobond (It's an honor man), but then why MS is selling retail Ultimate for $399 while it can be downloaded from TechNet with Office for way less than that and installed on multiple PCs?

Now I need to find my credit card, and proper NVIDIA/X-Fi drivers :)

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MrBear5587

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Hello Tantawi,

I can answer the following questions as a current TNP Subscriber:

1- What does this particular subscription include? Vista and Office? or Vista only? if office is included, what edition?

Vista Home Premium

Vista Home Basic

Vista Busniess

Vista Ultimate

Office 2003 Pro

Office 2007 Pro

Office 2007 Pro Plus

Office 2007 Ultimate

Are all included, all of which you have 10 activations for.

2-4 - Agree with Neobond

If I took a disk image after installing Vista, and used it to restore teh system later, do I still need to reactivate? or it'll be already activated?

If you make the disk image with third party software such as Ghost or TrueImage, as long as your hardware hasn't changed, then you will not need to reactivate.

Also one more thing to add.

Unlike the retail versions, TechNet keys will allow you to reactivate a previous installation on the same hardware an unlimited number of times over the Internet.

Different hardware will decrement from your 10 limit.

With XP Retail atm, if you keep the same hardware you can only reactivate online a set number of times, then you have to phone Microsoft. With the TechNet keys, you can reactivate online a finate number of times.

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Grand Master

Tantawi

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Schnitzel, thanks for your informative post.

Now I can't see why anyone will want to pirate Vista while such a great option is available like TechNet!

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Grand Master

MrBear5587

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Np mate (Y)

I'm certainly not regretting subscribing. Shame I can't use Vista yet (still waiting on graphics, mouse, scanner and better sound drivers) before I make the switch ;)

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markwolfe Veteran

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Thanks for the reply Neobond (It's an honor man), but then why MS is selling retail Ultimate for $399 while it can be downloaded from TechNet with Office for way less than that and installed on multiple PCs?
Simple...

Because it isn't legal to use these license for primary use.

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/abouttn/s...ense_terms.mspx

Evaluation Software. One user may install and use copies of the evaluation software listed in the COMPONENTS.TXT file, even if you obtained a server license. You may use the evaluation software only to evaluate it. You may not use it in a live operating, in a staging environment or with data that has not been sufficiently backed up. If the evaluation software comes with its own license agreement, this agreement will control. If that other license agreement gives you additional rights that do not conflict with express limitations in this agreement, you also have those rights.
It is for "evaluation" use only. That is, for businesses needing to test suitability and compatibility. Not for home users wanting to warez a bunch of copies.
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Jaded

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Simple...

Because it isn't legal to use these license for primary use.

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/abouttn/s...ense_terms.mspx

It is for "evaluation" use only. That is, for businesses needing to test suitability and compatibility. Not for home users wanting to warez a bunch of copies.

Its not only for businesses but for IT Pro's to learn off and create personal test labs. But is there anything stopping you from using is as your primary source of software? No there isn't.

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markwolfe Veteran

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Its not only for businesses but for IT Pro's to learn off and create personal test labs. But is there anything stopping you from using is as your primary source of software? No there isn't.
Just your ethics code. And the EULA. Neowin considers OSX on non-Apple hardware a EULA violation and therefore "warez". Apparently this doesn't apply to TechNet. (or hasn't been brought up before)

But, yeah. No physical restrictions, therefore must be legal, eh? Oh, and if that restaurant cash register is open while the lady takes your money, there is no physical restriction there, either. Just the law, man.

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Jaded

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Just your ethics code. And the EULA. Neowin considers OSX on non-Apple hardware a EULA violation and therefore "warez". Apparently this doesn't apply to TechNet. (or hasn't been brought up before)

But, yeah. No physical restrictions, therefore must be legal, eh? Oh, and if that restaurant cash register is open while the lady takes your money, there is no physical restriction there, either. Just the law, man.

Yea those pesky ethics and legal constraints.

But as far as what Microsoft will do, against a home user it will not be much. Even though you're still a 'pirate' in their eyes. Against a business though, if you use technet software in production and they find out, you're getting your ass handed to you.

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xxdesmus

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Perhaps someone can enlighten me,

if I was to buy a TechNet Direct subscription within those 10 activations could I install Vista/Office 2007 on my laptop and my desktop? Or is it just one system at a time even though you get 10 activations? :blink: Thanks for any info guys.

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Jeston Veteran

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As far as I know, when you decide to discontinue your subscription, you will be ordered to destroy and uninstall all software obtained through this package. Just something to think about...

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HeartsOfWar

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As far as I know, when you decide to discontinue your subscription, you will be ordered to destroy and uninstall all software obtained through this package. Just something to think about...

Not true, the EULA clearly states that you may continue to evaluate the software after the subscription ends... but you probably won't be able to get a new activation key if you go over the 10 limit and your subscription isn't active

Simple...

Because it isn't legal to use these license for primary use.

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/abouttn/s...ense_terms.mspx

It is for "evaluation" use only. That is, for businesses needing to test suitability and compatibility. Not for home users wanting to warez a bunch of copies.

The quote that you posted from Microsoft only points out that it isn't legal to use the evaluation software for anything but evaluation. Microsoft did not require a business license or any background checking; furthermore, you're paying annually to continue evaluation of the latest products. Sure, you can terminate the subscription and continue evaluation, but that is also covered by the EULA and considered OK.

if you want to discuss moral ethics ... contact Microsoft...

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wd40

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So what all is included in the subscription? Someone said earlier that it's the following:

Vista Home Premium

Vista Home Basic

Vista Busniess

Vista Ultimate

Office 2003 Pro

Office 2007 Pro

Office 2007 Pro Plus

Office 2007 Ultimate

Is there others like XP etc?

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markwolfe Veteran

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Not true, the EULA clearly states that you may continue to evaluate the software after the subscription ends... but you probably won't be able to get a new activation key if you go over the 10 limit and your subscription isn't active

The quote that you posted from Microsoft only points out that it isn't legal to use the evaluation software for anything but evaluation. Microsoft did not require a business license or any background checking; furthermore, you're paying annually to continue evaluation of the latest products. Sure, you can terminate the subscription and continue evaluation, but that is also covered by the EULA and considered OK.

if you want to discuss moral ethics ... contact Microsoft...

Yes. True.

Using software licenses designated "for evaluation only" on systems that are for daily computing uses is a violation of the EULA. Just as clearly as using OSX on a non-Apple machine is.

If one is "warez", it is pretty obvious the other is, as well.

If you want to be cute and play the "what they don't know..." game, go ahead. But don't delude yourself, or others here, that it is legal.

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