DailyTech - Microsoft Offers 90 Day Trial of Windows 7 Enterprise

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Software Microsoft Offers 90 Day Trial of Windows 7 Enterprise
Shane McGlaun (Blog) - September 2, 2009 11:07 AM

17 comment(s) - last by stmok.. on Sep 7 at 10:13 AM

Windows 7 Enterprise license keys available for a limited time

Technology enthusiasts know that a new version of Windows is coming in October called Windows 7. The betas and trial versions of the consumer software have been available for a while and were very popular. One thing that Microsoft had not offered was a way for business customers to get a trial edition of Windows 7 Enterprise.

Microsoft has now announced that business users who want to test and try Windows 7 Enterprise Edition can now get the OS from the Springboard Series on TechNet. The trial version of Windows 7 Enterprise is good for 90 days, after which users will be forced to buy the software.

Microsoft notes that this version of Windows 7 is specifically for enterprise users who don’t yet have access to Windows 7 through a software assurance volume license agreement, MSDN/TechNet subscriptions, or software assurance agreements allowing the download of Windows 7 RTM.

This version of Windows 7 is specifically not for consumers. Consumers who download and install the Windows 7 Enterprise software will be unable to purchase the Enterprise version when Windows 7 officially launches on October 22.

Enterprise users wanting to get the new evaluation version will need to grab it fast. Microsoft reports that there are a limited number of licenses available and the evaluation version will only be offered while supplies last.

After the 90-day trial period, the software will shut down each hour and the user will be forced to buy the full version and do a complete fresh install of the OS.

The evaluation version of Enterprise will be offered in English, French, Spanish, German, and Japanese flavors in both 32 and 64-bit versions.

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Forced buy

By rbfowler9lfc on 9/2/2009 11:37:43 AM , Rating: 4

quote:
"after which users will be forced to buy the software"

Forced to buy? I could picture MS agents breaking into our workplace, ransacking the rooms, plundering the needed $$ from our wallets and fleeing thru the windows, leaving only a sole boxed copy of Win 7 Enterprise on the floor of the messed up room, LOL

RE: Forced buy

By glenn8 on 9/2/2009 12:21:52 PM , Rating: 4

Well Bill Gates didn't get rich by writing cheques. :)

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RE: Forced buy

By stmok on 9/2/2009 1:25:06 PM , Rating: 2

quote:
Forced to buy? I could picture MS agents breaking into our workplace, ransacking the rooms, plundering the needed $$ from our wallets and fleeing thru the windows, leaving only a sole boxed copy of Win 7 Enterprise on the floor of the messed up room, LOL

Actually, Microsoft gets the Business Software Alliance (BSA) henchmen/women to do that for them. BSA is like the software version of the RIAA...When they get word that a business ain't running software solutions legitimately, they will audit and punish! (They also do the dirty work for other clients like Adobe, Symantec, etc).

To ensure nearby businesses get word of it, they will post notices up about their audited/punished victims. (ie: Use them as an example to instill fear in others)...Essentially, the same tactic as the RIAA.

Its not a funny matter...I've had two friends lose their businesses because of dodgy system admins and "inconsistent" software licensing. They are now planning to start new businesses with alternative software infrastructure.

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RE: Forced buy

By Bateluer on 9/2/2009 5:41:15 PM , Rating: 2

I would love to see my firm use more FOSS software, and would definitely love to replace the Windows clients with a *Nix distro. The hard part would be user training. There are so many people that are completely computer illiterate. I mean, some of these people panic if their desktop shortcuts are in a different place.

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RE: Forced buy

By Smilin on 9/2/2009 5:49:30 PM , Rating: 1

quote:
Its not a funny matter...I've had two friends lose their businesses because of dodgy system admins and "inconsistent" software licensing. They are now planning to start new businesses with alternative software infrastructure.

As long as you're clear on who is at fault here...It ain't the software cops.

I'm also hoping by "alternative software infrustructure" you mean "not stolen".

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RE: Forced buy

By Jack Ripoff on 9/2/2009 7:19:37 PM , Rating: 1

quote:
As long as you're clear on who is at fault here...It ain't the software cops.

I'm also hoping by "alternative software infrustructure" you mean "not stolen".

There actually is life after Microsoft...

http://www.sun.com/customers/storage/ernie_ball.xm...

Also, I find that particular use of the word "stolen" rather amusing.

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RE: Forced buy

By MarkHark on 9/3/2009 6:11:41 PM , Rating: 2

I believe that by "alternative software infrastructure" he really means something like Linux + Open Office + Firefox + a set of open source or otherwise freeware applications.

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RE: Forced buy

By stmok on 9/7/2009 10:13:43 AM , Rating: 2

Correct.

They're trialing CentOS with Zimbra (open source edition) for collaboration, and the usual open source apps that we encounter for web browsing and office work.

They're carefully paying attention this time with the admins they hire and the software infrastructure they're investing in.

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RE: Forced buy

By quiksilvr on 9/2/2009 3:39:42 PM , Rating: 2

How DARE you question the great Jason Mick's journalistic capabilties! A POX UPON THEE RBFOWLER!

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RE: Forced buy

By Cappadocious on 9/2/2009 4:29:09 PM , Rating: 2

Sort of reminds me of this...

"Buy Him Out Boys"

http://www.videosift.com/video/Bill-Gates-Buys-Hom...

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meh...

By lotharamious on 9/2/2009 11:23:56 AM , Rating: 2

Why wouldn't you just download the enterprise version and rearm? It's not activated, but it gets the job done if you're in limbo.

Hey Microsoft!

By Ammohunt on 9/2/09, Rating: -1

RE: Hey Microsoft!

By Rinadien on 9/2/2009 12:07:52 PM , Rating: 4

quote:
Microsoft notes that this version of Windows 7 is specifically for enterprise users who don’t yet have access to Windows 7 through a software assurance volume license agreement, MSDN/TechNet subscriptions, or software assurance agreements allowing the download of Windows 7 RTM.

Reading comprehension FTW?

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