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For students worldwide, Microsoft has some very special programmes called MSDNAA
, Dream Spark
and The Ultimate Steal
, through which it's
possible to get a variety of Microsoft software products either for free or at a very low rate.
Microsoft Dream Spark
The scope of this programme is mainly (but not exclusively) on secondary schools. To get download access, you'll need to have a Windows Live ID, and pass a simple e-mail verification procedure. Available software include:
- Windows Server 2008
- Windows Server 2008 R2
- Windows Server 2012
- Windows CE 6.0 Embedded
- Windows 7 Embedded
- Visual Studio 2010 Professional
- Visual Studio 2012 Professional
- Visual Studio 2011 LightSwitch
- SQL Server 2012 Developer
- Expression Studio 4 Ultimate
- and other...
The downloads are available on the Dream Spark Website.
DreamSpark Premium
The former MSDN Academic Alliance programme (MSDNAA) focuses on universities and colleges. Download access must be applied for at your organisation's data centre. The downloads will also be provided by your organisation. Available software includes:
- Windows 8 Professional
- Windows 7 Professional, Ultimate and Enterprise
- Windows Vista Business and Enterprise
- Windows XP Home and Professional
- Windows Server 2003
- Windows Server 2003 R2
- Windows Server 2008
- Windows Server 2008 R2
- Windows Server 2012
- MS-DOS 6.22
- Office 2013 Project Professional
- Office 2013 Visio Professional
- Office 2013 Access
- Office 2013 OneNote
- Office 2013 InfoPath
- Lync 2013 and Lync Server
- Visual Studio 2010 Ultimate
- Visual Studio 2012 Ultimate
- SQL Server 2012 Enterprise
- Expression Studio 4 Ultimate
- and other...
You'll find a complete list of software products and a list of participating organisations on the MSDNAA Website.
The Ultimate Steal
The Ultimate Steal
programme offered heavily discounted Windows and Office licenses for students. This programme has been discontinued. The only small
remainder is availability of a discounted subscription of Office 365 for academic use, and a discounted upgrade for Windows 8. This package comes not close to be as
attractive as the former student deals. It can be purchased through the Amazon website or the Microsoft Store for example:
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