Can uni student get a free copy of Windows 8 or other software? Really?

We know we can somehow get a win 8 for $15.

I read about and also came across some uni students got win 7/8 and other good software for free. Is there any misunderstanding or wat? any conditions like ur major has to b computer relevant or u have to b an engineering student?

I post a genuine query on whirlpool and the mod deleted it and post a link to a page about illegal content and activities. What the F!

Comments

  • +1

    I'm interested to know as well. I've heard many people obtaining free copies of windows for being a uni student.

  • yeah this is true, i obtained my copy for free
    simply ask your IT department and they will tell you how to obtain it
    i believe the site is called msdn

    http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-au/ms348103

    • +3

      There also used to be MSDNAA (MSDN Academic Alliance) for educational institutions. As best I know, MSDNAA has changed over to be DreamSpark. You can use the search at the bottom of this page: https://www.dreamspark.com/Institution/Access.aspx to see if your institution has access. If so, then you might be able to log in straight away and get your software (Windows 8, 7, XP, etc) — else you might need to contact someone for an account. Either way, it's pretty straightforward.

  • So it is not illegal? Some mods thought they were god … Screw it…

  • Thanks, Warwick

  • Hey Warwick, which university are you at and what are you studying? I would have thought that if this was real then there would be advertisements or something at uni.

    • +3

      I study at rmit university as an engineering student..dont believe ive seen any signs at uni which would lead to this, however i think its because more people would not be eligable thats why..

      • if my gf studies finance (in syduni), she will possibly not be eligible? you dont have to study it engineering, right? i mean i am considering another master course or phd program in engineering (but not it relevant). will i be elegible? (generally speaking)

        soldout answered already. thanks anyway.

      • im in rmit too. which engineering are you doing? they only advertise it in building 8 or 10. the IT room beside the gym. BUT its only for electrical engineering. other engineering nopeee. because your school has to pay for it then the students will be eligible. you will also be given a dreamspark account when you enrolled.

      • I got Windows 8 for free and I'm at RMIT. Heres the info regarding it:

        "Student IT Services operates the DreamSpark software program on behalf of the following RMIT schools: Business (Tafe), Business IT & Logistics, Property Construction & Project Management, Life & Physical Sciences, Computer Science & IT, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Mathematical & Geospatial Sciences, Engineering (Tafe), Civil Environmental & Chemical Engineering.

        PLEASE NOTE* This software is not available for everyone, only students studying in an IT course that has been approved by your school's DreamSpark co-ordinator"

        http://e5.onthehub.com/WebStore/Welcome.aspx?vsro=8&ws=DC2EA…

  • No, not illegal. And, for people who work for a large company, you might find you are entitled to get a $15 copy as well, always ask your IT department. I got copies of (not the OS) office for both mac and PC when I was still working, for $15 apeice. worth every penny.

    • +1

      i bought the $15 copy of win office 2010 through my company. but in the link to that $15 office page, i can not choose the Mac version. how did you do it?

  • +1

    It depends on the University.

    Most universities have some sort of dream spark premium program where specific students can get access to current MS OS's (XP, Vista, 7, 8) as well as office products (Visio, Visual Studio Ultimate etc).

    However, in order to be eligible for an account, you must satisfy your University's conditions i.e. 1. being enrolled in a software engineering or IT degree 2. Enrolled in an Information science unit.

    If you manage to get access to the Dreamspark Premium you'll have access to 2 licenses for each OS and for each license you can install on 2 different machines.

  • btw, this is what mod of whirlpool replied to me.

    wtf! dirt cheap axxxl, talking like sort of ….(you know, politicians or SOME brainless policemen/women who think they ARE the law/GOD)

    "If you're not a student, pretending you're one in order to obtain cheaper or free software is against the terms and conditions of the licence. We don't allow discussion of this on whirlpool."

    • +4

      That's Whirlpool for you!

      Nah but historically, there's been a overwhelmingly large number of people (who aren't university students) posting on WP asking how they can get student pricing.
      Obviously the knee jerk reaction to these sort of posts now is to delete them straight away to prevent any altercations or flame wars.

      What the mod should've done was link you to a relevant page that explained the terms and conditions of the MSDNAA offer, and then close the thread.

      But on Ozbargain, we're a much friendlier bunch :)

      • +2

        OzBargain > Whirlpool

        • Since we're comparing two completely unrelated sites:

          Google > OzBargain

        • We're on a computing forum here, so is Whirlpool, I don't see any other difference other than the intended use of the site.

          WP = discussion for tech etc.
          OZbargain forums = discussion for everything

        • OZbargain forums = discussion for everything

          discussion for bargains.

    • +2

      Well, what can I say. The WP mod is right, on both counts. Judging by the language of your post here, he/she was probably right.

      • -2

        If u have nothing good to say, just don't say anything.

  • -1

    I am at UWA, doing a statistics major. A friend in the same course got this deal. I will be speaking to sso tomorrow!!!

    • +1

      Did my comment get negged cause I said I did statistics?

  • hi guys, yes I can confirm dreamspark is where you need to look. Also your faculty admin person can be notified if you sign up for an account yourself (use your UNI email address as contact point).

    once you have signed up for a dreamspark account you can get access to the software once you have been given an account from the administrator who runs your faculty's licensed account. its pretty awesome.
    I can get Win 2k12 svr for free, and SQL server, visual studio 2012 and other stuff. (& yes including Win 7 & 8 too).

    google dreamspark and sign up with your uni email address.

    :)

  • can someone post a step by step guide? I search https://www.dreamspark.com/Institution/Access.aspx and UWA business school is listed.

    But when I go to the webstore I need to have an "account"… It be great if I can get windows 8 or even windows 7 for free!

  • At UNSW we have access it to if you're staff or a student of CSE/doing a CSE course

  • +1

    If you're a highschool student you can get windows 7/8 microsoft office 2010 for pc and mac for free.

    All you need is your Student Reference Number (SRN) and log onto nsw.dec.onthehub.com

  • For most universities (I know monash is one of them) only engineering and IT students get access to MSDN and free copies of Windows 8.

Login or Join to leave a comment