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Welcome to the University of Massachusetts at Amherst Microsoft Developer's Network Academic Alliance (MSDN-AA) Page

The Microsoft Developer's Network Academic Alliance (MSDN-AA) Program is a special agreement between  UMass Amherst and Microsoft. The MSDN-AA subscription includes the most current Microsoft developer tools, platforms, and servers. 

These tools may be loaded on any number of UMass Amherst full time faculty, staff and student* instructional and research computers free of charge. MSDN-AA software is restricted for educational and research use only, and cannot be used for infrastructure or commercial development. Operating Systems from MSDNAA may only be used by Faculty and Staff for non-work related home use, and if on campus computers, only in research Labs and teaching Classrooms. UMass and Microsoft are pleased to offer this extensive software package to the University community!

*Students must be full time enrolled and taking credit courses at UMass Amherst


11-8-2012 (Updated)- Windows 8 Professional Available

We have been able to obtain additional keys through the MSDNAA (DreamSpark) Program, so we are back to limiting each user to three keys for The Windows 8 product. The Windows 8 key can activate either the x64 or the x86 version, but can only be used a single time to activate an installation.

A couple of things to note:

  • Windows 8 was officially released October 26th, so please make sure that your hardware and software applications will support it before installing. Always back up your data before upgrading your computer.
  • I am told that OIT Software support first supports operating systems about 6 months after the official release.
  • If you decide you do not like Windows 8 and need to install a previous version, you will need a new key for your old OS. Please note that we limit each person to three keys per product. The x64 and x86 versions of Windows Vista and Windows 7 are not considered different products.
  • Windows 8 is very different. Until more support is available, I would not recommend installing it on a computer that you expect to be productive with unless you have a LOT of time to sit and figure it out.
  • To download Windows 8 Professional (32 bit), Please Click -> HERE .
  • To download Windows 8 Professional (64 bit), Please Click -> HERE .
  • Links to Windows 7 Professional (x86 and x64 Versions)

  • To download Windows 7 Professional (32 bit), Please Click -> HERE .
  • To download Windows 7 Professional (64 bit), Please Click -> HERE .
  • Links to Office 2010 Apps

    We have the following Office 2010 Applications available to download:

  • Microsoft Office Visio Professional 2010 - To Download Please Click -> HERE .
  • Microsoft Office OneNote 2010 - To Download Please Click -> HERE .
  • Microsoft Office Access 2010 - To Download Please Click -> HERE .
  • Microsoft Office Project Professional 2010 - To Download Please Click -> HERE .
  • We do NOT have and WILL NOT have the following Office Applications:

  • Microsoft Office Suite - for Information on Purchasing Please Click -> HERE .
  • Microsoft Office Word
  • Microsoft Office Excel
  • Microsoft Office PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Office Publisher
  • Microsoft Office Outlook

  • What's New!!

    (Updated August 16, 2009)
    • OIT Computer Classrooms can once again be used to burn ISO images to CDs! Please Click -> HERE for Instructions.
    • Keys are sent out Monday through Friday between 9am and 5pm and it might take up to 3 hours after the request is made before they are sent. Please be patient.
    • Clarification of Acceptable Use of MSDNAA Software! Please Click -> HERE .
    • Important information about the Checked/Debugged Version of Operating Systems! Please Click -> HERE before downloading.
    • Downloading of files from off campus now supported with an OIT Account! You can find out more about getting an OIT Account at the following Link -> OIT Account

    Policies in effect as of October 15th 2003:

    Request for keys must be made using an UMass Email Account - Due to the number of illegitimate requests that we have received and staff reductions, we can no longer respond to email requests made from non- UMass email addresses.

    Only 3 keys per User per product will be allowed - We are given a limited number of product keys, therefore we need to restrict the number of keys we give out. Exceptions are possible. Send requests for exceptions to msdnaa@oit.umass.edu

    Server Products will be available for Download - Due to the staff reductions, we will not be able to burn media except for extreme cases of need. Hopefully the availability of server media on line and ability to download from off campus will reduce the requests for media.