So how do I get RTM soon?

[skallal]

I've been thinking of subscribing to TechNet just to get RTM in the Pro version. Are any other legit ways to get RTM?

Ive running RP 64 bit on my Samsung Slate but want to be able to develop apps for the Store ahead of the 10/26 release date. For that I need RTM and not RP.

The other option to TechNet is an MSDN subscription But that price is way beyond my comfort zone. My boss at work has TechNet, but I won't cross that line professionally by asking for a copy from him.

My understanding is that MSDN subscribers will get RTM on 8/15 and TechNet subscribers will get a trial version on the same date. That info comes from the Windows Weekly video podcast. I assume availability means a download.

 

[Brink]

Hello Steve,

Sorry, but no other legal way currently other than TechNet or MSDN, buy a OEM PC that comes with Windows 8, or wait until October 26th to be able to buy a retail copy off the shelf.

 

[pparks1]

I don't think the Pro version will be included in Technet any longer. Technet adjusted the program in July, and removed a bunch of the software intended for the home user. So, no more copies of Home, Home Premium, Ultimate or Professional. Just enterprise.

 

[davehc]

Were those adjustments on a pro licence also? The layout and general appearance was changed earlier, and comments were asked for in a questionnaire, but I did not notice any loss of availability? - A small selection:

 

[Brink]

I don't think the Pro version will be included in Technet any longer. Technet adjusted the program in July, and removed a bunch of the software intended for the home user. So, no more copies of Home, Home Premium, Ultimate or Professional. Just enterprise.

I still have all the Windows 7 editions with or without SP1 included available through TechNet Plus and MSDN so far.

 

[pparks1]

I don't think the Pro version will be included in Technet any longer. Technet adjusted the program in July, and removed a bunch of the software intended for the home user. So, no more copies of Home, Home Premium, Ultimate or Professional. Just enterprise.

I still have all the Windows 7 editions with or without SP1 included available through TechNet Plus and MSDN so far.

From the Technet page;
TechNet Subscriptions and Licensing

What changes did Microsoft implement to TechNet Subscriptions in July 2012? On July 16, Microsoft made changes to TechNet Subscriptions to better reflect the intent of the program – aiding IT professionals in evaluating current Microsoft software—and to help protect the integrity of the subscription from unsupported use. As part of this change, we:

• Reduced the length and complexity of the User Agreement.
• Made Microsoft software use and other subscription benefits available only during the 12 month subscription period.
• Updated the list of products available for evaluation by:
  • Removing redundant or multiple instances of products. For instance: The full Office suite will be available for download, but not standalone Office products such as Outlook, Publisher, etc.
  • Removing products that are not intended for use in an IT professional managed business environment. For instance: Windows XP Home Edition.
  • Removing products that are no longer covered by extended support through the Microsoft Support Lifecycle.
• Standardized the 24hr product key claim limit across all programs and benefit levels at ten (10).

At the very bottom of that website, is a list of software included with Technet.

Need more specifics on which products are listed? Download the full list of products available by subscription level.

It shows that
Windows 7 Pro is included with Technet Standard and Win 7 Ent is only available to pro. All other versions are on the retirement list.

 

[pparks1]

Were those adjustments on a pro licence also? The layout and general appearance was changed earlier, and comments were asked for in a questionnaire, but I did not notice any loss of availability? - A small selection:


View attachment 7617

But click on Windows 7, and see if you still have
Basic
Starter
Home Premium
Ultimate

I bet you only have Professional or Enterprise now.

 

[boyans]

Seems Technet is the only legitimate and "cheap" way to get Windows 8 before 26. October.

I don't think there where many changes after Release Preview.
I would develop for W8 RP and later make an update of product(software) if necessary.

 

[Brink]

Were those adjustments on a pro licence also? The layout and general appearance was changed earlier, and comments were asked for in a questionnaire, but I did not notice any loss of availability? - A small selection:


View attachment 7617

But click on Windows 7, and see if you still have
Basic
Starter
Home Premium
Ultimate

I bet you only have Professional or Enterprise now.

Yep, I have all the 32-bit and 64-bit Windows 7 editions with or without SP1.

 

[pparks1]

^ Brink,

I see the versions in my MSDN account. I don't have a Technet account that I can look at. Not sure why your technet account which still show all of those versions, they are pretty clear on the subscriptions FAQ page that the other non-business versions have gone away as of July 2012...and others have been complaining of that happening to them.

Perhaps, if you have both the MSDN and the Technet subs, it is showing you a full list of what is available to your ID...not necessarily to 1 specific program or another.

 

[chessdragon136]

To the above

If you try claim a key you won't be able to - For my home premiums it states 2 of 0 keys allocated.. Thankfully they havn't rescinded the keys given before the change...

Also, if you install the leaked version of Win8, it does look like you can buy a key from inside windows (It quotes me £50 and £11 for Windows dvd if i check it)

 

[davehc]

Pparks
Microsoft say that unsupported software (by MS), like Windows 95 or Office 97 will no longer be available under the new terms. I don't know how Windows 3.1 slipped through the gap, but there it is. Otherwise, all supported software, (Windows 7, for example) is available in all editions.
Yes, the keys have been limited. No real reason to want 10 keys for evaluation, anyway. But, more important, (Boyanns, If you are thinking of purchasing), New subscribers will only have legit keys for the length of their subscriptions (one Year?) Existing subscribers have this last opportunity to go on using their keys even if the subscription lapses.
I don't think users will suddenly find there OS stops working, but, from the legal point of view, the software will no longer be legit. Personally I think they are going to see a great reduction in subscribers, when this hits home!

 

[pparks1]

Otherwise, all supported software, (Windows 7, for example) is available in all editions.

Well, the way I read it, many of the versions are supposed to go away and are slated for retirement. It's possible a new user would never see them. Maybe it's just existing subscribers who still see all old versions until they renew.

I don't think users will suddenly find there OS stops working, but, from the legal point of view, the software will no longer be legit. Personally I think they are going to see a great reduction in subscribers, when this hits home!

It's always been the case that you are expected to stop using the software when your subscription expires.

 

[davehc]

"It's always been the case that you are expected to stop using the software when your subscription expires."

Not so. Existing Technet keys do not expire, and can still be legitimately used, after the subscription ends. MS do not press this too hard, but possibly, if enquiries were made, a user would have a job justifying that he is still evaluating after, even one year! Even if you renew a subscription for a further year, there are no new keys available for the same products.

 

[pparks1]

I didn't say the keys expire, I said you were "expected" to stop using the software when your technet subscription expired. It's like the Home Use Program. If you purchased Office via the HUP, and your employer discontinues the Enterprise Agreement or you switch employers, you are "expected" to stop using the software.

It seems now they are going to take some measures to actually expire out the keys. And they have gotten far more specific on what you are allowed to actually do with the technet software.

The following testing scenarios can be used during the software evaluation process. Please be aware that subscribing to TechNet Subscriptions does not grant user rights to test as part of a software application development effort.

TechNet Subscriptions software may be tested to determine the following:

Install/Uninstall – Time and process required for full, partial or upgrade software install/uninstall processes and system integration.
Recovery – Capacity for software to recover from crashes, hardware failures, or other catastrophic problems.
Security – Defining software’s ability to protect against unauthorized internal or external access.
Compatibility – Gauging software performance in existing or new hardware, software, operating system or network environments.
Comparison – Evaluating software to determine product strengths and weaknesses as compared to previous versions or similar products.
Usability – Assessing satisfaction among end users, observing end user utilization and understanding user interaction scenarios.
Performance – Ensuring software will perform as expected to requirements.
Stability – Estimating individual software’s ability to perform consistently, relative to system demands.
Environment – Determining software settings while software is being evaluated by end users in existing infrastructure.

 

[davehc]

No rudeness intended, but, with your comebacks, you seem to have all the answers without your initial enquiring posts. The choice of purchasing a subscription is yours - you are obviously aware of the consequences. I'm out of this thread.

 

[pparks1]

No rudeness intended, but, with your comebacks, you seem to have all the answers without your initial enquiring posts. The choice of purchasing a subscription is yours - you are obviously aware of the consequences. I'm out of this thread.

No problems. I'm not even sure what you are saying, but I'm not offended in any way, nor did I intend any offence towards anybody else.

 

[Phone Man]

I have the Standard TechNet and if you check MyProductKeys this is what you will see.



I have claimed 2 of 0 keys for Home Premium which means they no longer offer keys for that product. Prior to new update it would show 2 of 2 claimed.

Bad Rumor on Windows Weekly 272 | TWiT.TV Mary Jo stated that TechNet would get a trial version for Windows 8 RTM and then Paul chimed in and said an OEM partner sent him an e-mail stated that it would be ONE license to install and activate on ONE PC and it would be locked to that PC. He than stated the same key could be used to install Win 8 on other PC's but would not activate. You will need a key just to get it to install. Its around the 15:40 mark on the video.
I guess we will have to wait for next week to see how this plays out.

Jim

 

[pparks1]

As Paul Thurrott went on to explain, this is likely due to the fact that MS is going to make Windows 8 available for the low price of $39. So, they have made this cheap enough to buy using straight up retail channels, that there isn't the likelihood that people are going to benefit much from gathering up licenses in the Technet program. Gone are likely the days of buying a single copy of Technet and installing Windows 8 across 5 of your own home PC's. Instead, you will buy 5 copies for $40 each and will have spent around $200 total.

Having a key in technet is good because you need it to install. For most technet needs, you can install with that key and finish up whatever you need to test before the activation becomes an issue. Most of my testing Windows VM's last less than 3 days total. Then, I simply reload later down the road when I have to test something else.

 

[skallal]

Ok, it's the day after RTM has been released to MSDN & TechNet. So as the OP, I'll ask again about the Standard TechNet subscription for $199. Can I purchase the Standard TechNet today and get Windows 8 RTM. I am listening to Paul Thurrott right now and believe he just said he got the Pro version with his Standard TechNet subscription. It seems I recall reading it is a trial version of Windows 8 with TechNet, and it will last at least up to the GA release.

Can anyone verify this? Is there anyone, on the forum, who got RTM via TechNet?