TechNet subscription Standard

"Help IT Professionals evaluate, test, and troubleshoot Microsoft software for desktop environments"

TechNet Subscriptions provides you with ongoing access to Microsoft infrastructure products, technologies, and information so you can get the most out of your time and investment..TechNet Standard does not include enterprise editions of Microsoft software.

Subscription Benefits

Microsoft Software Licensed for Evaluation Purposes
Access over 70+ full-version Microsoft software without any time or feature limits for evaluation purposes only1. The list of Microsoft software available is based on subscription level. Whether it be an Enterprise or Desktop environment, you can make informed decisions about new technologies and deployments at your own pace and become the strategic IT advisor for your organization.

Usage for Testing Scenarios
Supports the test scenarios most utilized by IT Professionals during the software evaluation process such as compatibility, usability, security, and much more (see below for test scenarios). Note this is not applicable to testing related to the software development process.

Subscriber Portal Access
Manage your TechNet Subscriptions account and efficiently access all your benefits such as downloads, renewals, and support in one convenient place.

Early Access to Microsoft Software
Get your hands on betas, service packs, and new software releases of Microsoft operating systems, servers and business applications. The list of Microsoft software available is based on subscription level. Stay ahead of the curve by getting early access to help you evaluate, test and troubleshoot for your IT environment.

Professional Support Calls
For the toughest technical questions, Microsoft TechNet Subscription Professional includes two complimentary Professional Support Calls2 and a 20% discount on additional purchased support calls3. Talk to a Microsoft Support Professional to help resolve mission-critical technical issues fast.

Managed Forums Support
TechNet Subscriptions provides unlimited access to Managed Forums. Exchange ideas with other IT Professionals and get expert answers to your technical questions within two business days. Engage with other IT Professionals who have encountered the same issues you are facing. Answers are reviewed by a Microsoft Support Professional for accuracy.

Microsoft E-Learning Courses
To prepare for certification or simply to help build your technical skills, TechNet Subscriptions includes a selection of Microsoft E-Learning courses that are complimentary.

Online Concierge Chat
Get help 24/7 by chatting with a Microsoft Search Assistant online to help find the technical resources you need or for assistance with non-technical questions.

Software test scenarios allowed with TechNet Subscriptions

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.