General Consultant Discussion

Changes to Microsoft Technet/MSDN Microsoft cut TechNet product key allotments back in March, for the second time in two years. Now it's making additional changes to the TechNet and MSDN programs, with the goal of making them less attractive to pirates while still keeping them useful for partners. Here's what the new subscription terms will entail when they take effect later this month: Fewer license keys. For current versions of Windows client software and Microsoft Office, the number of product keys that MSDN subscribers will be allowed is reduced from 10 to 5. For older versions, only three keys are allowed. TechNet subscribers will continue to be allowed three product keys per version. Fewer keys available per day. If you're an MSDN of TechNet subscriber, the number of keys you can claim per day will be reduced from 100 to approximately 10. The intent, of course, is to prevent would-be pirates from paying for a new subscription and then quickly claiming hundreds of product keys and reselling them to unsuspecting customers. Fewer products. In current editions of these subscription-based offerings, you can download any version of Microsoft Office as well as the standalone products that make up the Office collection. When the new terms kick in, all of those standalone programs will be removed, along with older, unsupported software versions. You'll no longer be able to download Office 97 or Windows 98, for example. For TechNet customers, the biggest change of all is the elimination of perpetual license rights. Currently, you're allowed to continue using any software and product keys you download as part of your TechNet membership, even after your subscription expires. Under the revised terms, new and renewing subscribers will get time-based rights that apply during the subscription term only. The new, simplified subscription agreement makes it clear: The subscription provides you with access to software and associated benefits. When your subscription concludes, you will no longer have access to the software or any associated benefits and must discontinue your use of the software.

The biggest change -- other than reduced number of products you can register at no cost - expiring unlocking keys.

Thanks for the heads up. We use an Action Pack that includes MSDN. I don't think the Action Pack will be impacted but the MSDN portion will. We use the MSDN for development environments and testing only. We use the Action Pack licenses internally.