Microsoft TechNet Subscription uses?

[TheScirus]

Using Microsoft TechNet for OS iso?

Hi Everyone,

First off, I have looked at the Microsoft TechNet terms of use and have tried contacting Microsoft on this issue already with out a clear response. So I tried doing my homework first with no results.

Can you legally use your TechNet Downloads to reinstall OS or other products for client using their product key?

This site seems to address this issue saying its ok for personal use. Vishal is a "Microsoft MVP" so I'm thinking his info is good. He states that if you need a XP or Vista install, you need a subscription.
www[dot]askvg[dot]com/direct-download-links-download-official-original-and-untouched-windows-7-iso-32-bit-and-64-bit

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For clients though this seems to be difficult issue. If TechNet cannot be used for this is there another option?

Regardless I going to purchase a subscription to learn more about Microsoft products as this seems to be a great product with all of its access it allows.

Thanks in advance everyone for you input and you experiences

 

[Xander]

Technet ISOs are meant to be for your own in-house use, to learn the OSs for yourself. I am not a subscriber but I have never heard any subscriber on this forum say anything to contradict that.

There are some techs out there that use it for customer installs but that doesn't mean it's kosher. And, to be honest, just because some guy claiming to be an MVP provides links doesn't mean that it's cool with Microsoft. Show me a link on microsoft.com and I'll take it seriously.

 

[TheScirus]

Technet ISOs are meant to be for your own in-house use, to learn the OSs for yourself. I am not a subscriber but I have never heard any subscriber on this forum say anything to contradict that.

There are some techs out there that use it for customer installs but that doesn't mean it's kosher. And, to be honest, just because some guy claiming to be an MVP provides links doesn't mean that it's cool with Microsoft. Show me a link on microsoft.com and I'll take it seriously.

Thanks for your personal opinion, maybe someone else will have some experience and answer it for the both of us.

Anyone else able to contribute some actual facts?

mvp[dot]support[dot]microsoft.com/gp/mvpbecoming

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[MrUnknown]

Just about every single copy of Windows on a computer you will work on is an OEM version. TechNet doesn't have OEM versions. On top of that, you can not use any media other than OEM supplied or approved media to reinstall the OS on an OEM machine. Basically only restores from the HDD image or a disk made on the system is a valid reinstall disk for any OEM PC.

So no, you can not use any TechNet disk to reinstall Windows on a client's machine.

You also can not sell or use the licenses given to you for anything in production use. Only for internal testing and learning. As for another option, you need your customer to contact who sold them the PC and to get the recovery media or use the HDD option.

Unless you do a ton of repairs or are a large corporation, it is unlikely Microsoft will come after you about it as you aren't creating licenses out of thin air, just using the wrong install disk. GeekSquad and any other large chain that does computer repair, will tell you that you must provide reinstall media for this very reason. If you lost it then the customer must contact Dell/HP/etc to get replacement media and bring it in.

I am not a MVP, but these discussions have been going on for some time. I can promise you what I stated above is Microsoft's official stance as it is in their licensing agreements. Them actually enforcing something as trivial as using the wrong media to reinstall Windows is another matter.

 

[TLE]

Thanks for your personal opinion, maybe someone else will have some experience and answer it for the both of us.

Anyone else able to contribute some actual facts?

mvp[dot]support[dot]microsoft.com/gp/mvpbecoming

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No offence, but maybe you should have done some research before posting the above and you would have realised that eHousecalls was giving you the facts and not his opinions. I have a technet subscription, and it is indeed intended to provide evaluation of the software without time constraints as long as you have a valid subscription.

I have read through that MVP's article and it is cleary intended for end users and not for Technicians who are charging for their services. Installing an operating system for a customer isn't as clear cut as doing it for yourself. You need to ensure that the user has the OOBE experience otherwise you are an not complying with the EULA.

I think the following thread should shed some light on the subject for you.
http://www.technibble.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28307

 

[TheScirus]

Resolved

End of debate!

After all the Google searches, a couple calls to Microsoft, talking to a dell Microsoft license expert, and post to several different sites.....

Drumroll........

A How To Geek member got back to me and said he has tried this.

His thought was the same as mine, an ISO is an ISO, even if it's OEM, all they have done is add some bloatware, a few custom settings, and some backgrounds.

However as a test, he tried installing a Technet XP ISO and Vista ISO with dell product keys and it would not allow him and ask him to contact Microsoft. He was able to get a hold of a supervisor and found that Technet install would not work with a non Technet product key. The supervisor did inform of links on Microsoft site to download a full install and that they would work with a OEM key. Also the links provided on the Microsoft site where the same as a retail copy. (This was 2007, he is unsure if the rules are still the same)

Since a little after the release of windows 7 the links have been taken down from what he found.

With Vista out the door and XP with both feet in the grave (April 2014 final eol per Microsoft) this question is only going to be brought up more. Now I know as fact and intend to share with others that Technet isn't a option.

Again regardless of this I still plan on subscribing to use Technet it as a learning tool, great product for Microsoft to offer.

 

[TheScirus]

I think the following thread should shed some light on the subject for you.

Sorry I cant read that thread, says I have to be a member for 5 days

Also the links to Windows 7 iso, in my original post are provided by Microsoft for download from Digital River. If a costumers lost or didn't a OEM disc and instead gets a copy from there, to my eyes they provided a disc and a key and I can do my work.

 

[Xander]

It's all moot because, to reinstall on a system, the tech is supposed to use the customer's original media and nothing else. If the customer doesn't have it, you can re-order discs from the manufacturer. Failing that, you sell them a new license.

Whether it's a Technet ISO or a digitalriver one, you can easily find a hundred sites that will tell you it's a great way to get your ISOs and this may be the only site that doesn't recommend it. Bear in mind that most techs here are business owners and don't like to do things that may get their business in trouble. I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of us here did get one or two of our ISOs that way. As for the ISOs, I don't know why you're taking a defensive stance about them. Everyone knows that DigitalRiver is MS' download site but that has nothing to do with why MS makes them available there. Those are for paying customers to upgrade their systems; they are not there for Johnny Tech to fill his ISO library. If you do that, fine; just don't pretend it's what MS wanted you to do.

(Oh, also bear in mind that most of those crappy tech blogs out there just regurgitate each others "you can do it" crap because they want the page hits. "You shouldn't do it" blogs don't get a lot of traffic.
Those who can - do. Those who can't - find someone else who wrote about it and repost it to their crappy blog.)