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Updated: How and where to download Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2011 as a Microsoft partner

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UPDATE: Please see the latest official Microsoft update on this located at the link below:

Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2011 now available for download through Microsoft partner digital distribution site

I have been receiving some questions this week (and rightfully so) regarding my How and where to download Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2011 as a Microsoft partner post from January which stated that “Windows SBS 2011 software and keys will be available on the Microsoft partner digital distribution site in late February (estimated),” since ‘late February’ has passed and they are not there yet. Because of this, I wanted to share an update here on this situation so you all have the latest information, instead of just those I have had exchanges with via social media, email, or conversations.

At the time of the original post, we anticipated being able to deliver the Windows SBS 2011 software and keys through the Microsoft partner digital distribution portal by end of February; however, we have since discovered a situation, which we are actively working on, that did not allow us to make this happen. As such, below are the updated answers to the questions of:

  1. When will Windows Small Business Server 2011 bits be on the Microsoft partner digital distribution portal for Microsoft partners to download it?
  2. How/where do Microsoft partners get the bits for Windows Small Business Server 2011 before then?

Question #1: When will Windows Small Business Server 2011 bits be on the Microsoft partner digital distribution site for Microsoft partners to download it?

Answer: We are working to resolve the current situation as soon as possible, and will make the download and keys available on the digital distribution site as soon as we can. We expect the Windows SBS 2011 software and keys to be available on the Microsoft partner digital distribution site during the second quarter of calendar year 2011 (if not before). In the interim, please use one of the defined options below to obtain access to Windows SBS 2011 for your internal use license entitlement. For updates, please start to check the Microsoft partner digital distribution portal after mid-March.

Question #2: How/where do Microsoft partners get the bits for Windows Small Business Server 2011 before it is available on the Microsoft partner digital distribution portal?

Answer #2: Below I will provide the answers, depending on if you are a Microsoft partner with a gold competency or silver competency, Action Pack Solution Provider subscription, or Action Pack Development and Design subscription.

If you are a Microsoft partner with a gold competency or silver competency:

  • You should download the Windows Small Business Server 2011 bits from the TechNet or MSDN site that you receive access to as a benefit of your Microsoft Partner Network Membership.
  • Please note: product keys distributed through the MSDN and TechNet are single activation keys. As a Microsoft partner, you can obtain your Multiple Activation Key (MAK) product key from the Microsoft partner digital distribution portal as soon as available (See Question #1 above). Partners may use any combination of methods and keys acquired through Microsoft programs to activate machines as long as the systems are properly licensed and appropriate use rights are applied. Software use right is not enforced by which product key is used for a specific license entitlement.

If you are a Microsoft partner with an Action Pack Solution Provider subscription:

  • You should download the Windows Small Business Server 2011 bits from the TechNet site that you receive access to as a benefit of your Microsoft Action Pack Solution Provider subscription.
  • Please note: product keys distributed through the TechNet are single activation keys. As a Microsoft partner, you can obtain your Multiple Activation Key (MAK) product key from the Microsoft partner digital distribution portal as soon as available (See Question #1 above). Partners may use any combination of methods and keys acquired through Microsoft programs to activate machines as long as the systems are properly licensed and appropriate use rights are applied. Software use right is not enforced by which product key is used for a specific license entitlement.

If you are a Microsoft partner with an Action Pack Development and Design subscription:

  • You should download the Windows Small Business Server 2011 bits from the Microsoft TechNet Evaluation Center site.
  • This is a 30 day evaluation copy and no product key is required.
  • Although the evaluation period is 30 days, it can be rearmed twice, meaning you can actually use it for up to a 90 day time period before requiring your MAK key.
  • As a Microsoft partner, you can obtain your Multiple Activation Key (MAK) product key from the Microsoft partner digital distribution portal as soon as available (See Question #1 above) and convert your trial into a full production copy.

As I mentioned above, we are working to resolve the current situation as soon as possible, and will make the download and keys available on the digital distribution site as soon as we can. We realize this is not the ideal situation but we are committed to make sure you have access to and know how you can obtain the bits for Windows Small Business Server 2011 for your internal use. As such, please utilize the steps above, if you haven’t already, to get your bits of Windows Small Business Server 2011 to use under your license entitlement.

Did you find this information helpful? If so, you may want to make sure you are utilizing all of the areas I share information online, such as: my Facebook page, my Twitter account, my LinkedIn account, and my blog.

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Thank you and have a wonderful day,

Eric Ligman – Follow me on TWITTER, LinkedIn, and RSS and see “What I’m thinking”
Global Partner Experience Lead
Microsoft Worldwide Partner Group
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights

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Comments

  • Anonymous
    March 04, 2011
    Great write up, Keep them coming! (I'm being asked this all the time now I can just direct them here) :)

  • Anonymous
    March 14, 2011
    Just for clarity, because it seems to good to be true:  If you are a Microsoft partner with an Action Pack Solution Provider subscription and install the TechNet 30-day installation of SBS, are you stating that when the product keys become available we can fully activate the TechNet bits with the Action Pack keys?

  • Anonymous
    March 14, 2011
    Thanks, Eric.  This situation has been a source of frustration for a number of us, and I am happy to have it clarified.

  • Anonymous
    March 16, 2011
    @ Bill - Action Pack subscriptions grant one internal use license for SBS 2011 Standard, so yes, you can download the bits from TechNet to install today and then when your Action Pack key gets posted to the digital distribution site, you will be able to use that key to activate your install.

  • Anonymous
    March 17, 2011
    Bill it's EXACTLY the same media.  There's no difference between the Technet media and the action pack media and the VL media.  

  • Anonymous
    March 21, 2011
    Thank you for the excellent write up here.  I know we (and many others) were concerned by the apparent lack of communication and delays in release of the SBS2011 Partner bits and it's great that you guys released a temporary solution for us.  Thanks!

  • Anonymous
    March 21, 2011
    Eric, Can you update this post with a screen shot of where Partners look for their product keys in MAPS??

  • Anonymous
    March 21, 2011
    @ Charles - As stated in the post above, as soon as they are available, they will be posted to the site. I will be posting hereon the blog about where they are once they are available; however, I cannot put a screen shot up right now since, as stated above, the keys are not currently on the digital distribution site. Eric

  • Anonymous
    April 05, 2011
    Hi Eric, Any updates on the release?  I'm using a SBS 2003 server which is on it's last legs and waiting for the update.  Really not keen on installing the evaluation version until I get a firm date on the full release. Looking forward to seeing the changes :) Gary

  • Anonymous
    April 06, 2011
    @ Gary - Yes, the latest official update has just gone live. I have updated the post above with a link directly to it and you can also access it directly at: http://bit.ly/fW1pLv (shortened URL since the actual is looooong) :-)