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:

TNHeader2010.jpg
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
 
Last edited:
:mad:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    ME, XP,Vista,Win7,Win8,Win8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Notebooks x 3

    Desktops x 5

    Towers x 4
:what:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8, (VM win7, XP, Vista)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion p1423w
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 3330 Ivy Bridge
    Motherboard
    Foxconn - 2ADA Ivy Brige
    Memory
    16 GB 1066MHz DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD 5450
    Sound Card
    HD Realteck (Onboard)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Mitsubishi LED TV/Montior HD, Dell 23 HD, Hanspree 25" HD
    Screen Resolution
    Mit. 1980-1080, Dell 2048-115, Hanspree 1920-10802
    Hard Drives
    1 SanDisk 240Gig SSD, 2 Samsung 512Gig SSDs
    Case
    Tower
    Cooling
    Original (Fans)
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Keyboard 2000
    Mouse
    Microsoft Optical Mouse 5000
    Internet Speed
    1.3 (350 to 1024 if lucky)
    Browser
    Firefox 19.1
    Antivirus
    MSE-Defender
Hi there
Well fortunately mine will last until Aug 2014 as my subscription gets renewed on 07 aug which I will do for one last time.

I always thought that the TECHNET subscriptions were rather TOO generous -- but what I will do is get the products I want plus all the keys and then that will suffice probably until well into my retirement -- I can't see myself messing around with computers for too much longer anyway. I'm semi-retired in any case now.

Cheers
jimbo
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Centos 7, W8.1, W7, W2K3 Server W10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 X LG 40 inch TV
    Hard Drives
    SSD's * 3 (Samsung 840 series) 250 GB
    2 X 3 TB sata
    5 X 1 TB sata
    Internet Speed
    0.12 GB/s (120Mb/s)
Just received my letter, this is what happens when too many people misuse their subs.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64
    Computer type
    Tablet
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Surface Pro 3
    CPU
    i5
    Memory
    4GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Graphics HD
    Screen Resolution
    2160 x 1440
    Hard Drives
    128GB SSD, 128GB MicroSD
    Internet Speed
    8GB
    Antivirus
    Bitdefender
Hi there
Here's my email notice too

I suspect the original offer was far too good and whatever the "Excuse" is Piracy was a big issue here. MSDN subscriptions are a totally different ballgame and are in general far too expensive for the average person.

Anyway this is the email you get. (scr shot enc)


@Shawn -- can you merge these two threads on this topic please --thanks.

Cheers
jimbo
 

Attachments

  • email.png
    email.png
    64.3 KB · Views: 166

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Centos 7, W8.1, W7, W2K3 Server W10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 X LG 40 inch TV
    Hard Drives
    SSD's * 3 (Samsung 840 series) 250 GB
    2 X 3 TB sata
    5 X 1 TB sata
    Internet Speed
    0.12 GB/s (120Mb/s)
I think what they're saying here is that they generally offer 30, 60, 120, and 180 day evalutation copies of most software, so why have the TechNet subscriptions (which are only supposed to be used for testing anyways. If you need longer than 180 days, you can always re-install).

Sounds more like a cost savings measure rather than worrying about piracy.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    CPU
    Intel i7 3770K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Z77X-UD4 TH
    Memory
    16GB DDR3 1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia GTX 650
    Sound Card
    Onboard Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Auria 27" IPS + 2x Samsung 23"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440 + 2x 2048x1152
    Hard Drives
    Corsair m4 256GB, 2 WD 2TB drives
    Case
    Antec SOLO II
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000
    Mouse
    Logitech MX
From what I read on the TechNet site it doesn't appear that piracy concerns were the driving factor. It looks like Microsoft is seeing more use of their online virtual labs and other resources. TechNet is apparently not the primary means that IT pros use for evaluating new products.

It does appear that for now, anyway, MSDN subscriptions will continue.

My sideline (not my full-time job) is teaching college-level IT courses so I am always trying to introduce students to the newest OS and to highlight the changes from one version to the next. Students generally use evaluation copies in the labs and those are well-suited to the typical semester course. I haven't used the MS virtual labs but I might look into that some more as a possible future vehicle for giving students hands-on experience with new technologies.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 x64
just read my email notice to,and just got my mvp notice[for year 5 now] also. i will get free msdn but thinking i will not get a renewal of tecnet giving its set to expire soon,my first year of technet they allowed 5 key for all software,its down to 3 now ,and msdn is down to 3 from 10 key my first year
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win8.1.1 enterprise
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Hinze57
    CPU
    AMD FX 6100 6core 3.30gHz
    Motherboard
    gigibyte ga-78lmy-s2p
    Memory
    4gig ddr3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radon hd5000 Series
    Sound Card
    onboard realtek hd
    Monitor(s) Displays
    19" viewsonic/ 22"Samsung
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    128gig ssd Kingston
    80gig WD 10000 rpm spinner
    Case
    micro
    Keyboard
    microsoft curve 200
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless M215
    Internet Speed
    high speed 20
    Browser
    ie 11
    Antivirus
    windows defender
    Other Info
    updated enterprise apr 2/14
Congrats on getting your MVP status renewed there Caperjack. :thumb:

I haven't got my e-mail notice yet. I signed up for the free TechNet and MSDN. One seems to be an almost duplicate of the other. I'm sure there are differences in what's offered but I don't think it will impact me much. I'm retired so my wants and needs are small compared to you IT types.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
Well 1 down meaning TechNet and 1 more to go and that will be MSDN in 2014 or the latest 2015 for MSDN as they have been saying for TechNet and MSDN will be the next one cut
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Microsoft Windows 7 Enterprise 64-Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel 2 Extreme 4 Core 3.2GHz X9770
    Motherboard
    ASUS Formula
    Memory
    8 GBs
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD 5000 Series
    Hard Drives
    500GB Sata SD Drive
    Browser
    EI 10
    Antivirus
    ESet
I think what they're saying here is that they generally offer 30, 60, 120, and 180 day evalutation copies of most software, so why have the TechNet subscriptions (which are only supposed to be used for testing anyways. If you need longer than 180 days, you can always re-install).

Sounds more like a cost savings measure rather than worrying about piracy.

:ditto:

From what I read on the TechNet site it doesn't appear that piracy concerns were the driving factor. It looks like Microsoft is seeing more use of their online virtual labs and other resources. TechNet is apparently not the primary means that IT pros use for evaluating new products.

It does appear that for now, anyway, MSDN subscriptions will continue.

My sideline (not my full-time job) is teaching college-level IT courses so I am always trying to introduce students to the newest OS and to highlight the changes from one version to the next. Students generally use evaluation copies in the labs and those are well-suited to the typical semester course. I haven't used the MS virtual labs but I might look into that some more as a possible future vehicle for giving students hands-on experience with new technologies.

I'm seriously thinking about buying a MSDN subscription, the prices are not that salty.

MSDN.jpg

:think:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10.0.10122
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    My Build - Vorttex Ultimate
    CPU
    Core i7 @ 4500 MHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS Z87-Plus
    Memory
    32GB DDR3 @ 1822 MHz (OC)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon R9 280X 3GB @ 1180 / 6800 MHz
    Sound Card
    7.1 HDA
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LCD LG 22" + CRT LG 17"
    Screen Resolution
    1760 x 1320 / 1280 x 960
    Hard Drives
    1 x 240 GB SSD (System)
    3 x 500 GB HDD (Data/Media)
    1 x 2000 GB e-HDD (Backup)
    PSU
    ThermalTake 1000W PSU
    Case
    Corsair Carbide R300
    Cooling
    Corsair H60 (Push-Pull)
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Wireless Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Wireless Mouse
    Internet Speed
    60 Mbps (Down) 5 Mbps (Up)
    Browser
    IE, FF, Chrome
    Antivirus
    AVG Internet Security 2015
    Other Info
    Some wired stuff
just read my email notice to,and just got my mvp notice[for year 5 now] also. i will get free msdn but thinking i will not get a renewal of tecnet giving its set to expire soon,my first year of technet they allowed 5 key for all software,its down to 3 now ,and msdn is down to 3 from 10 key my first year

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.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Use several different computers during a day, so specs are irrelevant.
Congrats on the MVP renewal caperjack. Not to be overlooked :thumbsup:

A Guy
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Home x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    INTEL Core i5-750
    Motherboard
    ASUS P7P55D
    Memory
    KINGSTON HyperX Fury Black Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 1866Mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GTX750
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG 27MP33HQ 32" IPS LED
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 840 Evo 120 GB, 2 x SEAGATE 500GB Barracuda® 7200.12, SATA 3 Gb/s, 7200 RPM, 16MB cache
    PSU
    ANTEC TruePower New TP-550, 80 PLUS®, 550W
    Case
    ANTEC Three Hundred Illusion
    Cooling
    COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus, 3 x 120mm 1 x 140mm Case
    Internet Speed
    20 + Mbps
    Browser
    Vivaldi
    Antivirus
    Avast
I don't have a problem with this myself. I only use my MSDN for testing, and lately I have just started to use the 180 day walls evals as my testing never lasts that long. I'm almost ready to say that I don't need my MSDN account much longer either.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self-Built in July 2009
    CPU
    Intel Q9550 2.83Ghz OC'd to 3.40Ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R rev. 1.1, F12 BIOS
    Memory
    8GB G.Skill PI DDR2-800, 4-4-4-12 timings
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 1280MB Nvidia GeForce GTX570
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC899A 8 channel onboard audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Acer x233H
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Intel X25-M 80GB Gen 2 SSD
    Western Digital 1TB Caviar Black, 32MB cache. WD1001FALS
    PSU
    Corsair 620HX modular
    Case
    Antec P182
    Cooling
    stock
    Keyboard
    ABS M1 Mechanical
    Mouse
    Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
    Internet Speed
    15/2 cable modem
    Other Info
    Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.
just read my email notice to,and just got my mvp notice[for year 5 now] also. i will get free msdn but thinking i will not get a renewal of tecnet giving its set to expire soon,my first year of technet they allowed 5 key for all software,its down to 3 now ,and msdn is down to 3 from 10 key my first year

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.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
just read my email notice to,and just got my mvp notice[for year 5 now] also. i will get free msdn but thinking i will not get a renewal of tecnet giving its set to expire soon,my first year of technet they allowed 5 key for all software,its down to 3 now ,and msdn is down to 3 from 10 key my first year

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 ,
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win8.1.1 enterprise
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Hinze57
    CPU
    AMD FX 6100 6core 3.30gHz
    Motherboard
    gigibyte ga-78lmy-s2p
    Memory
    4gig ddr3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radon hd5000 Series
    Sound Card
    onboard realtek hd
    Monitor(s) Displays
    19" viewsonic/ 22"Samsung
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    128gig ssd Kingston
    80gig WD 10000 rpm spinner
    Case
    micro
    Keyboard
    microsoft curve 200
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless M215
    Internet Speed
    high speed 20
    Browser
    ie 11
    Antivirus
    windows defender
    Other Info
    updated enterprise apr 2/14
Congrats on the MVP renewal caperjack. Not to be overlooked :thumbsup:

A Guy
Thank you ,don't expect to much from ,didn't get it for bring smart ,lol:drool:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win8.1.1 enterprise
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Hinze57
    CPU
    AMD FX 6100 6core 3.30gHz
    Motherboard
    gigibyte ga-78lmy-s2p
    Memory
    4gig ddr3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radon hd5000 Series
    Sound Card
    onboard realtek hd
    Monitor(s) Displays
    19" viewsonic/ 22"Samsung
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    128gig ssd Kingston
    80gig WD 10000 rpm spinner
    Case
    micro
    Keyboard
    microsoft curve 200
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless M215
    Internet Speed
    high speed 20
    Browser
    ie 11
    Antivirus
    windows defender
    Other Info
    updated enterprise apr 2/14
just read my email notice to,and just got my mvp notice[for year 5 now] also. i will get free msdn but thinking i will not get a renewal of tecnet giving its set to expire soon,my first year of technet they allowed 5 key for all software,its down to 3 now ,and msdn is down to 3 from 10 key my first year

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.

yeah ,your right my mistake ,it is 5 ,a few years back it was 10,i have 10 keys for many different versions of winxp from msnd and 5 from technet ,its down to 3 now though ,and i have to add mine is free so i don't gain any new keys each year ,except if a new OS comes out .
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win8.1.1 enterprise
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Hinze57
    CPU
    AMD FX 6100 6core 3.30gHz
    Motherboard
    gigibyte ga-78lmy-s2p
    Memory
    4gig ddr3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radon hd5000 Series
    Sound Card
    onboard realtek hd
    Monitor(s) Displays
    19" viewsonic/ 22"Samsung
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    128gig ssd Kingston
    80gig WD 10000 rpm spinner
    Case
    micro
    Keyboard
    microsoft curve 200
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless M215
    Internet Speed
    high speed 20
    Browser
    ie 11
    Antivirus
    windows defender
    Other Info
    updated enterprise apr 2/14
Back
Top