Microsoft announced on July 1 that it will stop accepting TechNet subscription orders through the retail market after August 31, 2013. Volume license customers may continue to purchase new subscriptions through the end of their contracts.
TechNet subscriptions provide the right to download nearly all of the desktop and server products Microsoft offers. Subscribers may only use the software for evaluation purposes.
The Software Store sells TechNet subscriptions to departments through Vanderbilt’s Microsoft Select agreement. These subscriptions run through July 31, 2014 (i.e. the expiration date for our Select contract). Since Vanderbilt participates in the Select volume-licensing program, the Software Store can continue to sell TechNet subscriptions through July 31, 2014, but we can no longer offer subscription renewals through the Software Store.
Microsoft is moving from paid to free evaluation resources for IT professionals:
· Free, full-featured, time-limited (i.e. 30-180 day) evaluations through the TechNet Evaluation Center (http://technet.microsoft.com/en-US/evalcenter/)
· Free access to test environments through TechNet Virtual Labs (http://technet.microsoft.com/en-US/virtuallabs/)
· Free online access to over 200 expert-led technical training courses through the Microsoft Virtual Academy (http://www.microsoftvirtualacademy.com/)
· Free support through TechNet forums (http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/home)
Microsoft will continue to offer MSDN subscriptions for developers and the Software Store will continue to sell MSDN subscriptions via our Select contract to departments.
See http://technet.microsoft.com/subscriptions/ms772427 for more information.