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TechNet Subscriptions is a subscription program designed to help IT Professionals prepare for critical issues and plan for future deployments by providing them with fast and convenient access to the latest software for evaluation purposes, in addition to beta releases, Professional Support Calls, and other technical information and tools to get their jobs done faster. See Buy a Technet Subscription for a list of the features included with a TechNet Subscription.
The TechNet Subscriptions Software License Terms grant one user the right to install the program software on any devices for evaluation purposes, including those located at his or her home, so long as the user fully complies with all of the License Terms no matter where the device is located. In other words, one user may install and use the evaluation software, only to evaluate it. You may not use it in a live operating environment, a staging or production environment, or with data that has not been sufficiently backed up. You may not use the evaluation software for software development or in an application development environment.
Each subscription is licensed to one person and only the designated subscriber can use evaluation software, support incidents and access the TechNet Benefits Portal – no other users are entitled to use these resources, unless they are also licensed TechNet Subscriptions subscribers. For full details on use rights, see the TechNet License Terms and the TechNet Terms of Use.
Volume subscriptions
TechNet Subscriptions is also available through Microsoft Volume Licensing programs that are designed to meet the needs of your business. Tailored to the size and purchasing preference of your company, these programs provide simple, flexible, and affordable solutions that enable you to easily manage your licenses. For more information on purchasing, see the Microsoft Licensing site.
Subscriptions purchased through Volume Licensing end when your software license agreement enrollment ends and are priced according to the remaining term of the agreement enrollment.
Example: If TechNet Subscriptions is ordered in year 1 of your 3 year Enterprise Agreement enrollment, you are billed for 3 years. If you order in year 2 of the enrollment, you pay for 2 years; and if you order in year 3, you pay for 1 year. Open License subscriptions are 2 year subscriptions effective from the date they are recorded through Microsoft Licensing.
All subscriptions are linked to the Volume License agreement enrollment end date, and terminate when your Volume License agreement enrollment ends. Open License subscriptions are 2 year subscriptions effective from the date they are recorded through Microsoft Licensing. Once subscriptions are added to a Volume License agreement enrollment, they will be made available for registration through the Volume Licensing Services site.
Software Assurance (SA) is the Volume Licensing subscription renewal. If your company has an expiring subscription under a Volume Licensing agreement; they only need to purchase TechNet Subscriptions Software Assurance to renew the licenses for the term of the new Volume Licensing Agreement enrollment. New TechNet Subscriptions subscribers in Volume Licensing purchase the License and Software Assurance (L+SA).
My company has purchased TechNet Subscriptions licenses through Volume Licensing, how do I start my subscription?
All customers purchasing TechNet Subscriptions through Volume Licensing agreements need to register their licenses to initiate the subscriptions and begin receiving benefits. Registration is also required for renewal licenses.
What information do I need to register licenses or media?
Your reseller or primary contact for your Volume Licensing agreement can provide you with the information required to register.
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Select & Enterprise Agreement: Enrollment and Master Agreement number
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Open: Authorization number and License number
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Open License Value, Multi-Year Open, and Open Subscription License: Agreement Number, and the last name of the Notices Contact on the agreement.
How do I complete the registration process?
If your license was purchased in North America, Latin America, Europe, Africa, or the Middle East you have two options to leverage in registering your purchased subscriptions:
If your license was purchased in Asia or the South Pacific, please contact your local TechNet Subscriptions center for registration assistance.
How do I know if my license was registered?
After successfully completing the registration process in the registration tool, you will receive an e-mail confirming your license has been registered. Please allow up to ten (10) business days for receipt of your confirmation email.
How can I purchase TechNet Subscriptions Professional through Volume Licensing?
You must purchase a TechNet Plus by contacting your authorized Microsoft Reseller. Volume licensing customers will still see references to TechNet Plus Direct and TechNet Plus Single User when managing their agreements. TechNet Plus Direct is TechNet Subscription Professional. TechNet Plus Single User is TechNet Subscription Professional with Media. For more information on purchasing or to find a local authorized Microsoft Reseller, see the Microsoft Licensing site.
What is the difference between Microsoft TechNet Plus Direct and Microsoft TechNet Subscription Professional?
TechNet Subscription Professional is the exact same subscription as TechNet Plus Direct. TechNet Subscription Professional is a new brand name to make it easier for our customers to understand the differences between the TechNet Subscriptions offerings. TechNet Plus Direct is TechNet Subscription Professional.
What is the difference between Microsoft TechNet Plus Single User and Microsoft TechNet Subscription Professional with Media?
TechNet Plus Single User is TechNet Subscription Professional with Media. Volume licensing customers will still see references to TechNet Plus Direct and TechNet Plus Single User when managing their agreements
How can I purchase Microsoft TechNet Subscription Standard through Volume Licensing?
Currently TechNet Subscriptions Standard is not available through the volume licensing channel
I currently have a retail TechNet Subscription; can I renew it through Volume Licensing?
The first time you purchase a TechNet Subscriptions through Volume License, you must purchase it as a new subscription - License + Software Assurance (L+SA).
When my Volume License agreement enrollment expires, can a TechNet Subscriptions renewal be purchased directly from the subscription center?
The subscription center will not be able to renew your Volume Licensing subscription. The subscription center can sell retail subscriptions only. The organization that purchased the Volume Licensing agreement can “renew” your TechNet Subscription through a new or renewing Volume Licensing agreement enrollment and purchasing an “SA” license for TechNet.
Common questions and answers
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.
- For products where no additional keys are available, we continue to make the downloads available for those customers who received keys previously. Additionally, many products allow you to install and use the product for 30 days without activation.
- Standardized the 24hr product key claim limit across all programs and benefit levels at ten (10).
To review the terms of use, please refer to the Microsoft TechNet Subscription agreement that applies based on your acceptance date:
Please provide feedback and share other comments via TechNet Site Feedback. If you require assistance with software evaluations as a result of these changes, please contact customer service.
What is the difference between a TechNet Subscription and a Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) Subscription?
The software provided with TechNet Subscriptions is designed for hands-on IT Professionals to evaluate Microsoft software and plan deployments. The software provided in TechNet Subscriptions can be used for evaluation purposes only. The software provided with MSDN Subscriptions is for design, development, testing, and demonstration of your programs. Both MSDN and TechNet subscriptions are licensed per user. Please refer to MSDN Subscription Software Use Rights for more details on using the software in MSDN Subscriptions.
Can I use my subscription immediately after purchase?
You will receive a welcome email after your purchase has been confirmed. The welcome email will provide you with instructions on how to activate your subscription. Subscribers in Japan – If you make a payment by credit card, it will take 3-5 business days to issue your ID.
If you purchased a TechNet Subscription from a local reseller, you can register your subscription here by using the card provided inside the package. It will take up to 5 business days after registration to receive your welcome email. The welcome email will provide you with instructions on how to activate your subscription.
If you purchased through Volume licensing, please refer to the Volume Subscriptions section for more information.
What is the return policy for a TechNet Subscription?
Retail TechNet Subscriptions have a 30-day money back guarantee policy from the date of purchase if the subscription has not been activated. If you purchased your subscription online, please contact TechNet Customer Service. If you purchased from a local reseller, please contact the reseller. Subscription licenses purchased through a Volume Licensing program will follow the return policy of that program.
I have Standard Subscription now. Can I change to Professional during license term?
You cannot change subscription editions during the license term. However, you can change your edition at renewal time.
I purchased a TechNet subscription in one country, but would like to register it in another. Can I register my subscription in the country I am currently located in even though I purchased it in a different country?
You must register your subscription in the country it was purchased in. Local TechNet customer service centers accept registrations only for their region. If you live outside of the region, please contact the TechNet customer service center in the country where your subscription is registered.
Can I purchase a TechNet Subscription from another country?
Customer information, services, and benefits are tied to the subscription and the country in which it was purchased. If you purchase a subscription in a different country than the one you are located in, the local customer service center will not be able to support you.
Will my TechNet Subscription automatically renew?
Automatic renewal is only available in North America, Europe, Middle East, and Africa.
Are TechNet Subscriptions subscribers notified that their subscriptions are expiring? If so, what is the process?
Subscribers are notified before their subscription expires. Microsoft sends each retail subscriber renewal notices, and may contact you by phone near your expiration date. Volume Licensing customers have a renewal notice sent to the listed contact for the licensing agreement. Volume Licensing subscribers should contact the Microsoft Licensing Manager within their company.
I’m trying to renew my subscription and am being prompted for my Subscriber ID; where can I find it?
Your TechNet Subscriber ID can be found on the “My Account” page of the TechNet Subscriber portal, even after your subscription has expired.
Can I renew my subscription for more than one year?
Subscriptions are renewed on a yearly basis. If you want to obtain a multi-year license, you can consider our Volume licensing program by contacting your local Microsoft authorized reseller.
(Subscribers in Japan only) How do I make a payment by bank transfer?
If you select “bank transfer” during the purchase process, a payment slip will be sent to you (Bank transfers will take 10-14 days to process after payment). You can also deposit payment directly into our account. If you deposit to our account directly, please inform us of one of two below:
- Fill out the information of payment advices into payment slip and fax it to us.
- Write down your order number when you pay over the bank counters.
You can find your order number at the last page of your purchase process over the internet. Also you can see it in the email “Confirmation of your TechNet Subscription Order” you will receive after your purchase is completed.
Not For Resale version of TechNet Professional
What is the Not For Resale (NFR) version of TechNet Professional?
The Not For Resale (NFR) version of TechNet Professional is a TechNet Subscription that is designed for pre-selected audiences and also available as a benefit through selected Microsoft programs and other Microsoft sponsored events. A TechNet Professional NFR is not available for purchase or resale by any party or individual. The NFR version of TechNet Professional does not include any technical support calls.
Can I purchase the NFR version of TechNet Professional?
The NFR version of TechNet Professional is not made available for purchase or resale by Microsoft, and is exclusively distributed through participating Microsoft programs and events.
Can I move from the NFR version of TechNet Professional to a paid subscription?
Yes; a retail TechNet Subscription may be purchased by those who currently have an NFR version. However, a subscriber may only have one active subscription at any one time. A customer, for example, may not purchase a retail version of TechNet Professional, without cancelling his or her NFR version of TechNet Professional.
After my NFR version of TechNet Professional expires, what other versions would be made available for purchase?
After your NFR version of TechNet Professional expires, you will have the option to purchase retail versions of TechNet Professional, TechNet Standard, or TechNet Professional with Media. Each version is geared towards different roles and organizational needs. Compare the subscriptions to decide which version best fits your needs. If you received your NFR subscription through the MCT Program, MVP Program, or another Microsoft sponsored program, please contact your program sponsor to see if you qualify for a renewal NFR subscription.
Can I get an NFR version of TechNet Professional with Media?
An NFR version of TechNet Professional with Media is not available. Only the online version is available.
What benefits are included in the Not For Resale version of TechNet Professional?
The Not For Resale version includes access to the complete stack of full-version Microsoft infrastructure and business solution software for evaluation, a comprehensive collection of Microsoft E-Learning courses, access to our 24/7 online concierge, and priority support on TechNet forums.
Are technical support calls included in the Not For Resale version of TechNet Professional?
Technical support calls are not included in the NFR version of TechNet Professional. They are only included in the retail version of TechNet Professional and in TechNet Professional with Media.
Can I sell or transfer my Not For Resale version of TechNet Professional?
Each TechNet Subscription is licensed to one person and only the designated subscriber can use full-version software for evaluation purposes and access the TechNet Subscriptions benefits portal—no other users are entitled to use these resources. For full details on use rights, see the TechNet Subscriptions License Terms.
Evaluation scenarios allowed with TechNet Subscriptions
The following scenarios illustrate some activities you may do as part of the software evaluation process. Please be aware that subscribing to TechNet Subscriptions does not grant rights to develop or test applications—the use rights are for evaluating the Microsoft software.
TechNet Subscriptions software may be used to evaluate the Microsoft software in the following scenarios:
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.
Need more specifics on which products are listed? Download the full list of products available by subscription level.
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