DreamSpark is an initiative set up by Microsoft to give students access to professional-level developer and design tools for free. The program is geared towards reaching students located across the world. To start things off, Microsoft has launched the project in 11 countries/regions, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, China, Germany, France, Finland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Belgium. Getting started is easy: all students need is a Windows Live ID. From there, students must verify themselves as a student from their respective school or organization and then proceed to download products.
The following products are offered under this program:
- Visual Studio 2008 Professional
- Visual Studio 2005 Professional
- Windows Server 2003 Standard
- SQL Server 2005 Developer
- SQL Server 2005 Express
- Expression Studio
- XNA Game Studio 2.0
- XNA Creators Club Online
- Visual C# 2005
- Visual C++ 2005
- Visual Basic 2005
- Visual J# 2005
- Visual Web 2005
- Virtual PC
For more information, students can access the DreamSpark Student FAQ.
- To access DreamSpark, you will need a Windows Live ID (such as a Hotmail or MSN account). If you already have one, proceed to step 2. If not, visit the Windows Live ID site to create one.
- Next, proceed to the Microsoft DreamSpark Downloads page. Click on the Sign In button to get started.
- Sign in using your Windows Live ID account information.
- Next, click on the particular software you would like to download.
- Before you will be allowed to download any programs, you will need to verify yourself as a current student at your university. Click the Verify button to proceed.
- To verify yourself as a student, follow steps 1-3 as outlined on the DreamSpark verification page. Once you are done, click Select and Continue to continue.
- To complete the verification process, login in to the UTD page using your NetID and password. Click Submit to proceed.
- If login is successful, you will see the following page. You are now verified as a Student with DreamSpark. You may now proceed back to the product download pages and download the software for free.
- For further assistance, contact the Help Desk at 972-883-2911 or assist@utdallas.edu. The Help Desk’s office is located in JO 3.906.
