MSDN and TechNet subscriptions gain access to Windows 8, downloads available now

winbeta.org

21 points·ViolentJason··6 comments

Having trouble downloading? Try using Internet Explorer and installing the download manager MS ask you to. The download isn't astoundingly fast, but I'm getting between 1.5 and 2MB/s here in Poland.

Generating keys took a couple of attempts and a minute or two, but no major hassles.

...and gain access to a legitimate product key for activation.

Activating windows is now a feature!

IIRC with 2008 R2, they didn't limit functionality if you didn't activate, they just took away the background and popped up a dialog when the system started. Activation was really only necessary to make sure you were licensed correctly (which isn't really relevent to TechNet/MSDN subscribers who could install as many copies as they want for evaluation/development purposes IIRC).

If they took the same lenient approach to activation (which probably isn't the case because it's a consumer OS), I could almost understand not giving license keys to technet subscribers, as their software is for planning/evaluation purposes only.

I can't speak for Win8, but all the older OSes came with perfectly functioning product keys for activation.

The site is being hammered it appears. I am getting service exceptions every time I try and download, or even browse for that matter.

Any idea when this is going to hit Dreamspark Premium (used to be MSDN Academic Alliance)?

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