Microsoft Products for free (if you are a student)

[KAM]

Check it out.  Microsoft has a program for high school and college students.  The program is called Dreamspark, and it gets you access to some pricey MS products like, Windows Server 2008 and Visual Studio 2008 Ultimate and Pro.  Some of the other applications listed are already free, but these were some notable exceptions.  Products are fully licensed version.  The catch.  You need to verify your student enrollment each year.  I'm not sure what happens to the installed licensed product once you can no longer verify your enrollment.  They may rely on the honor system for uninstalls or deactivate your license..


Registration was simple and took a couple minutes through email verification using a .edu account.

[riaa]

cool. I'm assuming that you were given a edu addy when you started taking classes at ar. Correct?

[KAM]

cool. I'm assuming that you were given a edu addy when you started taking classes at ar. Correct?

Yup!

[KAM]

Nice!  MS allows you to continue to use the software for non-commercial uses after the you are no longer a student.

Sign up for community college class
Receive a .edu account
Download all the MS products you want
Priceless?

4. END OF STUDENT STATUS; TERMINATION.

a. End of Student Status. If You no longer qualify for the Student Program (by failing to meet the definition of "You" above), then Your membership in the Student Program will automatically terminate, however, You may continue to use the Software You obtained prior to termination of Your student status subject to the terms of this license.

b. Termination. Microsoft may terminate Your usage of any Software obtained from the Student Program if You fail to comply with any of these terms.

Some restrictions

3. STUDENT PROGRAM USE RIGHTS.

a. Installation and Use Rights. You may install one copy of the Software made available to You through the Student Program on Your own device, but only (a) to support Your science, technology, engineering, mathematics and/or design (“STEM-D”) education; (b) in non-commercial STEM-D research; or (c) to design, develop, test, and demonstrate software programs for the above purposes.

b. Restrictions. You may not use the Software:
   • for commercial purposes (except as permitted under Section 3(d); or
   • to develop or maintain Your own administrative or IT systems, or those of Your educational institution.

Entire EULA