TechNet Plus is a Microsoft service which offers full, legitimate versions of software to IT professionals (or whoever wants to pay for it). The subscription usually saps your wallet for $349 US, if you only want downloads, or $599 if you'd like disc versions too. However, as you can see, this is pretty pricey... the good news is, if you live in the US, the UK or Canada, our friendly Redmond-based software company has you covered. (thanks ArsTechnica)

After clicking on the special link, hit the Buy button. Fill out all the necessary information: First Name, Last Name, Street Address, City / Town, State, Postal Code, E-mail, and Contact Phone. If you need the DVD media for the software you will be testing, you'll need a valid address in Canada, the US, or the UK. Otherwise, give an appropriate address of your choice, and enjoy the download access to tons of free Microsoft software. Once you're done all that, you will get to a thank you page with all your information that you can print for your records. However, you're not done yet. There are three more steps:

1. Sign In: Visit the TechNet Subscriptions Benefits Portal (you may be prompted to re-sign in using your Windows Live ID).
2. Register: You will be required to enter your first name, last name, e-mail address (exactly as they appear in your "Ship to" information) and Benefit Access Number: XXXXXXXXXX and accept the license terms.
3. Access Benefits: Once you have completed the registration, you will be able to access your online benefits, including Subscriber Downloads from the TechNet Subscriptions Management page. Each time you visit you will sign in using your Windows Live ID.

I did this in about 5 minutes and it worked like a charm. A few of my friends experienced connection issues during the process but after a few tries they got right on through as well. Enjoy it while it lasts!

Accoring to ArsTechnica, this is part of a pilot program that is set to expire on September 30, 2009, which means it's more of a three month deal, but hey, free is free! Currently, the expiration date reads "1/1/1900" but Microsoft is working on fixing that.