Microsoft to shut down TechNet subscription service

Good night, TechNet.

In a letter to subscribers today, Microsoft announced that it plans to retire its venerable TechNet subscriptions service. New subscriptions will no longer be available after August 31, 2013, and the subscription service will shut down as current subscribers' contracts end.

Read more at: Microsoft to shut down TechNet subscription service | ZDNet[/B]



Microsoft email to subscribers:

Microsoft is retiring the TechNet Subscription service.​

As IT trends and business dynamics have evolved, so has Microsoft’s set of offerings for IT professionals who are looking to learn, evaluate and deploy Microsoft technologies and services. In recent years, we have seen a usage shift from paid to free evaluation experiences and resources. As a result, Microsoft has decided to retire the TechNet Subscriptions service and will discontinue sales on August 31, 2013. Additional Information: More background on Microsoft’s decision to retire the TechNet Subscription service and the implications for current subscribers is available on the TechNet Subscriptions Retirement FAQ page.

Subscribers with active accounts may continue to access program benefits until their current subscription period concludes. We are committed to helping customers through this transition phase and will remain focused on providing IT professionals with free access to a broad set of TechNet assets that support the needs of IT professionals around the world. Improved Free Offerings for IT Professionals Include: TechNet Evaluation Center: Free evaluation software with no feature limits, available for 30-180 days. Includes rich evaluation resources and TechNet Virtual Labs, which enable you to evaluate software without the need to install bits locally. Microsoft Virtual Academy: Free online learning site, with over 200 expert-led technical training courses across more than 15 Microsoft technologies with more added weekly. TechNet Forums: Free online forums where IT professionals can ask technical questions and receive rapid responses from members of the community. Please note, MSDN Subscriptions provide a paid set of offerings that are also available for those who require access to evaluation software beyond what the above free offerings provide. Thank you for your understanding as we increase focus on growing and investing in our free offerings to better meet the needs of the IT professional community. Do not reply to this e-mail. This message was sent to you using an automated system. This e-mail alias is not monitored for replies. - TechNet Subscription Team Microsoft respects your privacy. Review our online Privacy Statement. Microsoft Corporation One Microsoft Way Redmond, WA, USA 98052

 

[alphanumeric]

Is that a very recent change?

I was offered 5 keys for Windows 8, on it's introduction, from MSDN, and this has continued with Windows 8.1. My memory slips, but I don't remember an offer for ten. It would have been a little hard to justify their use in my case.

I can get up to 3 keys on TechNet and up to 5 keys on MSDN. 3 is more than enough for me personally.

thanks for the congrats ,5years and counting ,actually didn't thing i would get it again this years as my online activity is down in the last year or so .yeah 3 keys are plenty ,never used most of what i have access to ,

I'm just happy to have access to clean unaltered official Microsoft ISO images. I think I used one Windows 8 code to update my laptop to 8 Pro so I could add Media Center and one Office 2013 code. Getting my hands on MDOP and MSDart was a bonus too.

 

[caperjack]

Getting my hands on MDOP and MSDart was a bonus too.

yeah they are handy to have ,giving that the msdn and technet are for me to use for evaluation ,that what i do with them ,i evaluate them and i have friends /coworkers who work in computer repair ,and they use them also for evaluation ,so i use a few keys ,but most go unused for sure

 

[Ex_Brit]

Your MVP download service st MSDN will continue as long as you are one, so you wont really be badly effected, but general members such as myself will be once their subscriptions expire. Most of my stuff comes from my Technet Plus subscription. MSDN membership is just too expensive for the average person, the first year at least.

 

[davehc]

You are also correct. Just dusted off my Xp stuff, and I see 10 keys floating around

 

[davehc]

Your MVP download service st MSDN will continue as long as you are one, so you wont really be badly effected, .

I have read that reassurance, on several third party links. But, for my own peace of mind, could you point me to the original statement confirming that - it eludes me!

 

[Ex_Brit]

It's right there on the ZDNet page. I haven't yet received the email so can't vouch for what it says.

 

[davehc]

That I can read. But I don't see it on the original MS page.

 

[Ex_Brit]

Sorry I did search. MVP's have always had a free Technet membership anyway and now they have an MSDN one, I know because I used to be one, just didn't say yes often enough to keep it up I suppose. To us peons an MSDN subscription is really out of the question at $699 for the 1st year and then $299/year thereafter.

What I can't quite ascertain is do the existing license keys die with the end of the subscription or with end of life of the OS itself?

In my case I will be forced to purchase a whole bunch of OS's and Office software just to get new keys if that's the case. Maybe MSDN is worth it after all.

 

[davehc]

That I can read. But I don't see it on the original MS page.
fwiw. This is the Emaii:

"As IT trends and business dynamics have evolved, so has Microsoft’s set of offerings for IT professionals who are looking to learn, evaluate and deploy Microsoft technologies and services. In recent years, we have seen a usage shift from paid to free evaluation experiences and resources. As a result, Microsoft has decided to retire the TechNet Subscriptions service and will discontinue sales on August 31, 2013.			Additional Information: More background on Microsoft’s decision to retire the TechNet Subscription service and the implications for current subscribers is available on the TechNet Subscriptions Retirement FAQ page.
Subscribers with active accounts may continue to access program benefits until their current subscription period concludes. We are committed to helping customers through this transition phase and will remain focused on providing IT professionals with free access to a broad set of TechNet assets that support the needs of IT professionals around the world. Improved Free Offerings for IT Professionals Include: TechNet Evaluation Center: Free evaluation software with no feature limits, available for 30-180 days. Includes rich evaluation resources and TechNet Virtual Labs, which enable you to evaluate software without the need to install bits locally. Microsoft Virtual Academy: Free online learning site, with over 200 expert-led technical training courses across more than 15 Microsoft technologies with more added weekly. TechNet Forums: Free online forums where IT professionals can ask technical questions and receive rapid responses from members of the community. Please note, MSDN Subscriptions provide a paid set of offerings that are also available for those who require access to evaluation software beyond what the above free offerings provide. Thank you for your understanding as we increase focus on growing and investing in our free offerings to better meet the needs of the IT professional community. - TechNet Subscription Team Microsoft respects your privacy. Review our online Privacy Statement. .Microsoft Corporation One Microsoft Way Redmond, WA, USA 98052

 

[Ex_Brit]

Not sure what "may continue to access program benefits until their current subscription period concludes" means as far as use of the actual license keys go. I never used most of the benefits they are referring to there anyway.

I just emailed Technet giving them a tongue lashing for not emailing me.

 

[davehc]

Your previous. I have been an MVP for a few years. TechNet and MSD have been free but not automatic - you have to apply. That is why I started the enquiry. I have posted on the MVP pages but am still struggling for an answer
I believe your keys will, after the TechNet closure, continue to be valid..

 

[Ex_Brit]

Your previous. I have been an MVP for a few years. TechNet and MSD have been free but not automatic - you have to apply. That is why I started the enquiry. I have posted on the MVP pages but am still struggling for an answer
I believe your keys will, after the TechNet closure, continue to be valid..

I hope so. Shawn Brink thinks not over at the Vista forums.. let's hope you are right.

 

[labeeman]

Microsoft kills TechNet, but the fate of its software licenses is murky

Sales of TechNet subscriptions will end Aug. 31, but can subscribers continue to use their already-purchased software beyond TechNet's demise?

TechNet Subscription Agreement:

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... You may not use the software if you do not have an active subscription... The subscription is provided through a private computer network that Microsoft operates... The technology or other means Microsoft uses may hinder or otherwise affect your use of the subscription.​

​

Microsoft kills TechNet, but the fate of its software licenses is murky | Microsoft windows - InfoWorld

 

[Ex_Brit]

Thanks for the link. It looks like MS have to live this one down somehow and exit without egg on their faces. Time will tell. At least in my case I know I have until April 12 next year before total panic may, or may not, set in. ;-)

 

[Explorertml]

Hi Members,

I am not 100% on this matter but 99.9% that all the keys used or most current keys dropped within your TechNet Serials will be blocked and black listed I just got off the phone with one of the Managers at TechNet and that's what I was told, 20mins ago

Rumours have it around Microsoft USA, and Microsoft Canada, MSDN could be next on the chopping block...

Lets wait and see!

 

[Ex_Brit]

What is meant by "dropped within your TechNet Serials" and why 'most'....not 'all'? If that's word for word what they said, then I suspect that person was hedging their bets. I feel we are going to be hearing a lot more about this in the days and weeks ahead. It's getting very bad press internationally.

 

[davehc]

The query comes up periodically. But this could be a new ball game, as The TechNet sub is actually closing. The last time I read an exchange (On the TechNet forums I think), it was established that any keys downloaded and used to activate, would not expire with the subscription. Catch 22 is that you are not supposed to use the software without a subscription!

 

[Explorertml]

What is meant by "dropped within your TechNet Serials" and why 'most'....not 'all'? If that's word for word what they said, then I suspect that person was hedging their bets. I feel we are going to be hearing a lot more about this in the days and weeks ahead. It's getting very bad press internationally.

I agree Ex,

I have been a member for over 15 years with TechNet and also MSDN Services, and also I have some Stocks with Microsoft and its not looking too well within the last 12 to 6 month period...

It looks to me that Microsoft is slowly losing their drive and power within the IT market, as it has been talked about for a few years now and time will tell... where Microsoft will be heading from this point forward in the future...

Ex, keep your eyes open and read the reports on Google Corp, Google will be bringing out some new PC Operating systems by the end of this year and from here onward in 2014

 

[Explorertml]

The query comes up periodically. But this could be a new ball game, as The TechNet sub is actually closing. The last time I read an exchange (On the TechNet forums I think), it was established that any keys downloaded and used to activate, would not expire with the subscription. Catch 22 is that you are not supposed to use the software without a subscription!

Like is have said on a phone call with one of their Managers, I think 99.9% of all these current keys will be lifted and black listed as soon as TechNet closes their doors

 

[alphanumeric]

Your previous. I have been an MVP for a few years. TechNet and MSD have been free but not automatic - you have to apply. That is why I started the enquiry. I have posted on the MVP pages but am still struggling for an answer
I believe your keys will, after the TechNet closure, continue to be valid..

I think Microsoft would be facing a big backlash if they blacklisted TechNet keys. I do believe they retain the right to cancel your keys when your subscription runs out but that's "at their discretion". They can but its not a given that they will. I seem to remember reading that when I signed up for my free TechNet and MSDN subscriptions. I'm hoping they don't cancel them. It wouldn't be a big deal for me if they did I've only used one or two keys.