"Education" vs. "Multiple Editions"

timkatje said:

According to this chart (Windows 10 editions - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia), no. The only difference is Long Term Support, which means the OS is guaranteed to be around and continue to receive updates for a certain period of time so companies that invest in the upgrade aren't forced to upgrade too soon. Corporations like to make long-term investments in their infrastructure. And with the security concerns of today's world, it's more important than every to make sure you continue to receive the latest updates to patch vulnerabilities.

You saw this recently with the End of Support for Windows XP. MS will no longer make any updates to the software. Only Vista+ continue to receive updates.

-Tim

Please read this part of the license agreement of Imagine:

9. Ending the SubscriptionOnce you no longer meet the eligibility criteria for the Subscription as defined under section 1 of this Agreement, your access to certain Subscription Benefits that require annual verification of eligibility will terminate as of the date of nonrenewal. However, Microsoft may terminate your Subscription or access to any Subscription Benefits at any time, with or without notice to you, in the event of a material violation of the Agreement, including all use rights associated with any software and any rights granted under Section 2 of the Agreement.

Doesn't it mean that you will not get the long term support once you finish your studies?
If so, they will be checking your student status. can it create future problems with the license?
if there is logic of what I am saying, than pro version is better.

alphanumeric said:

I run Education on my PC's here at Home. They were originally activated with my MSDN Retail keys. They showed as activated with a product code. There was no expierery date in winver. Permanently activated as far as I know. After doing the upgrade to the AU, they now show as activated with a Digital License. From what I've been told, my Retail keys are an exception offered to MVP's. Normal activation of the Education edition is via MAK or VL keys. If you Dreamspark keys are either one of those I can see where they could be terminated at any time. Or just left to time out. Said device (PC) would be removed from the list of devices on the local activation server. Then when it times out, activation fails.

is it the same case with the multiple editions dreamspark version?

alphanumeric said:

I don't know? I have MAK keys listed for Pro on MSDN so it could be? Settings > Update & security > Activation, should tell you if its activated with a DL or Product Code. If it shows with a Product Code, run winver and see if there is an expiry date.

I still dont have it.
Im asking to determine which one is better for download..

I saw an advertisments of Dreamspark saying that student can upgrade to edu version and still have it once they are no longer studying.
But it will still be a vl product, which as far as I understand - retail is better?