TechNet - Changing the Rules:
I have over 30 years in I.T. and have recently been looking at purchasing a new TechNet subscription. During my re-evaluation of benefits pending changes to the TechNet subscription usage terms were discovered. Sometimes companies write clauses in agreement(s) which are seldom enforced, this may be the case with the new TechNet User Agreement but there are no guarantees. For myself, I am assuming everything written is exactly what Microsoft intends with the new TechNet User Agreement and subsequent TechNet subscription benefits.
 
Based on readings of the shortened Microsoft TechNet Subscription Agreement (link is below), the thought of ROOT KIT or BACK DOOR activation occurred. I will say there is no specific indication Microsoft is resorting to this technology but given the SONY Music Industry history of ROOT KIT distribution with some of their prior retail audio CD's it may be unwise to discount this potential. A quick read of the shortened agreement will reveal much of what heightened my suspicions.
 
One thing noticed, TechNet no longer tells us how many keys we will be able to pull for individual products, instead the information on Specific Product Key Pulls, Number of Activations Per Key, Total Product Activations, and Multiple Concurrent Product Activations has become vague and undefined. TechNet is also telling us, explicitly, that software keys and downloaded software can not be used after subscription expiration. They go on to say any downloaded software must be deleted.
 
Anyone with a current TechNet subscription or who has active keys and downloads from an expired subscription should make themself familiar with the following material. 
The following is an excerpt from a
Microsoft TechNet page linked here => http://technet.microsoft.com/subscriptions/ms772427.aspx#qanda
  
What changes are coming to TechNet Subscriptions?
In the coming weeks, Microsoft will make some 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 will:

• Reduce the length and complexity of the User Agreement. A preview version is available. Please note that this updated user agreement only applies to new and renewing subscribers.
• Make Microsoft software use and other subscription benefits available only during the 12-month subscription period.
• Update 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 stand alone 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.
• Standardize the 24-hour product key claim limit across all programs and benefit levels at ten (10).

 
Preview of soon to be released TechNet User Agreement => http://technet.microsoft.com/en-US/subscriptions/jj215854.aspx
 
What you determine from this is up to each of you individually. This information is not provided to cause alarm or prevent anyone from subscribing to TechNet. This is provided solely to make you aware of changing rules.
 
Comments are encouraged, especially if you are a TechNet current or expired subscriber. Please post the date of your subscription with your post if your comments are based on a TechNet User Agreement or other site information during your subscription term.

Bummer, wonder if my Keys will still be good if this is the case. I saved them all in a word document and downloaded all the OS systems in a folder for future use.

Oh boy! That is spooky... Make Microsoft software use and other subscription benefits available only during the 12-month subscription period.

I am so glad your noticing this. I should add that my concern over Rootkits and Back Doors is likely a non concern. When reading the document I believe I placed more emphasis on Microsoft disclosing communications than I should have. They were talking about communications between users and Microsoft, I hope.
 
I see a real problem with the number of keys available to subscribers. In the past we knew how many keys we could pull, now they do not tell us. They tell us they will limit the keys on a product by product basis and can change this at any time. No one knows what they are getting with TechNet when it is described this way.

rjohnson11


There is some good info here that Tech Net users may not be aware of. It looks like Tech net will only be allowing downloads of enterprise based software and that makes sense in a way because an IT professional won't be messing about with a home edition piece of software.

Mr. Johnson,
Thank you for pointing this out. I disagree with Microsofts position on home based software and its use by companies. The reason is simple, companies like EVGA and myself, support home users as a primary part of our business. Surely EVGA needs to evaluate software for compatibility and functionality with products. In my case I support many home users having trouble with their systems. For both of us, knowing what we can expect when we work with those systems, in advance by use of TechNet, enhances our ability to get our job done quickly. This very scenario has been published by Microsoft when making available user testimonials on how TechNet improved their job to prospective TechNet subscribers. For Microsoft to conclude TechNet is only used by large corporations and businesses not dealing with home user operating systems is a mistake of massive proportion!

rjohnson11

There is some good info here that Tech Net users may not be aware of. It looks like Tech net will only be allowing downloads of enterprise based software and that makes sense in a way because an IT professional won't be messing about with a home edition piece of software.

That, my friend, is excellent news. So tired of being restricted from downloading Enterprise applications with my "Basic" TechNet subscription (Expires in August - have yet to renew).
Thanks for the news!

TigerDeath

rjohnson11

There is some good info here that Tech Net users may not be aware of. It looks like Tech net will only be allowing downloads of enterprise based software and that makes sense in a way because an IT professional won't be messing about with a home edition piece of software.

That, my friend, is excellent news. So tired of being restricted from downloading Enterprise applications with my "Basic" TechNet subscription (Expires in August - have yet to renew).
Thanks for the news!

DO NOT think you will have access to ENTERPRISE EDITIONS of software because they are taking away home basic, home premium, etc. If you have a basic subscription it will remain a basic subscription with even more software unavaiable than you have available now.
 

n9zn-extra

TigerDeath

rjohnson11

There is some good info here that Tech Net users may not be aware of. It looks like Tech net will only be allowing downloads of enterprise based software and that makes sense in a way because an IT professional won't be messing about with a home edition piece of software.

That, my friend, is excellent news. So tired of being restricted from downloading Enterprise applications with my "Basic" TechNet subscription (Expires in August - have yet to renew).
Thanks for the news!

DO NOT think you will have access to ENTERPRISE EDITIONS of software because they are taking away home basic, home premium, etc. If you have a basic subscription it will remain a basic subscription with even more software unavaiable than you have available now.

 
Oh that's cool. Thanks for that info.
Anyone else's rear hurting now?

TigerDeath
Anyone else's rear hurting now?

This is an interesting question, I too would like to know what TechNet users feel about the changes to the subscription program?
 
What I would like to know most from our current TechNet subscribers is; How many will renew their TechNet subscription or purchase a new one after this iteration of changes? (TechNet, has been going through similar re-modeling for a few years.)
 
What value does TechNet offer a technician, not owning a business and paying out of personal pocket, after implementation of documented changes? The changes have caused personal re-evaluation of subscription value and to date no order has been personally placed. Maybe someone can convince me to take a different approach to this. Is value there, that has been overlooked?

I am not sure yet what to think about it. Seems like it could use some clarification maybe.
I have a couple of months before I would have to renew so hopefully more info will drop.

Yeah like a matrix of what software you get with each level of the subscriber licenses.
I think that would benefit greatly.

TigerDeath


Yeah like a matrix of what software you get with each level of the subscriber licenses.
I think that would benefit greatly.

That is one of my issues with the new subscriptions. I don't believe they intend to post much additional information since new subscribers are already under the new contracts with TechNet. What I don't get, in addition to which products are available, is how many keys we will receive for each product. TechNet used to tell us but now I cannot locate the information on products available after the change or the number of product keys for each product anywhere on the TechNet site.
 
The way they explain the keys availability issue leaves a lot to chance and is left entirely for to MS to determine. In addition they say they can change the agreement any time and without advance notice. What kind of agreement is that? Thinking... Other than a one sided agreement to be bound to MS sole discretion I don't get it.

Does anybody know if MS will apply similar restrictions to software obtained freely through the Microsoft Academic Alliance program? I really would hate to have my free Windows 7 Professional license expire and get flagged as "non-genuine" once I graduate

Having contacted TechNet for an unrelated matter, I took the opportunity to ask for some clarification regarding the new terms.
 
I was informed that the new terms only apply to new subscriptions or renewals made on or after July 16, the date the new terms were implemented.
 
In effect, if your subscription was active prior to July 16, and you have not renewed your subscription since July 16, you are covered under the old terms.
 
I asked about whether the license keys issued under a subscription prior to July 16 would be valid should I choose not to renew my subscription, and was informed that the keys would be good in perpetuity unless I renewed my subscription, and then they would be subject to the new terms; i.e. would only be valid for 12 months unless I again renewed my subscription.
 
In other words, if you did not renew or purchase a new subscription after July 16, do not renew your subscription or you will subject to having your keys expire. However, you will, of course, lose all your benefits such as downloading new software and keys, technical support, etc.
 
Also, I discovered that (for me anyway) each key has a limit of twenty activations.

Arctucas


Having contacted TechNet for an unrelated matter, I took the opportunity to ask for some clarification regarding the new terms.

I was informed that the new terms only apply to new subscriptions or renewals made on or after July 16, the date the new terms were implemented.

In effect, if your subscription was active prior to July 16, and you have not renewed your subscription since July 16, you are covered under the old terms.

I asked about whether the license keys issued under a subscription prior to July 16 would be valid should I choose not to renew my subscription, and was informed that the keys would be good in perpetuity unless I renewed my subscription, and then they would be subject to the new terms; i.e. would only be valid for 12 months unless I again renewed my subscription.

In other words, if you did not renew or purchase a new subscription after July 16, do not renew your subscription or you will subject to having your keys expire. However, you will, of course, lose all your benefits such as downloading new software and keys, technical support, etc.

Also, I discovered that (for me anyway) each key has a limit of twenty activations.

I asked some of the same questions when I called to inquire about renewing.  So I will not be renewing.  When the activation limit came up the representative told me to just call in and they could extend the activation limit.  

Also, the standard version will still be lacking the Enterprise editions of products and will only have 2 keys available for each product.  Technet Professional has the Enterprise stuff and 3 keys for each product.  

Well I renewed the other day - the day before my prescription expired...
Have yet to run into any issues, but then again I haven't really had the opportunity to explore either. 
The reason behind the renewal is that I require this type of availability since I do a lot of testing for my company as well as personal exploration into the newest Microsoft products to keep myself competitive. 
I do plan on toying with both Windows 8 as well as Server 2012, however I need a better virtualization platform. I am currently all physical, and this is not ideal due to the cost of electricity and cooling. 
I will definitely update this thread as soon as I do some exploration and kind of figure out what the new caveats are.
-Pricky
 

The link below provides insight to the WHY behind the continuing restrictions with TechNet. All that remains is seeing how the subscriber base is responding to the new terms, especially if MS continues the tightening with TechNet.
 
As for myself I am still holding out on the subscription. I need it but do not like the terms of the agreement.
 
http://www.zdnet.com/blog/bott/microsoft-slashes-product-key-allowances-for-technet-subscribers/4644