Microsoft unveiled DreamSparkIndia – that gives free software to college and high school students worldwide, has now expanded to India. Bill Gates announced the initiative at IIT Delhi .The software giveaway program is estimated to provide software for 10 million eligible students in India. Microsoft DreamSpark, provides free downloads, product keys and licenses to full versions of the following Microsoft products.However Microsoft DreamSpark provides such licenses, products keys and free downloads to Microsoft products, only for students.

Microsoft DreamSpark will be available to all students whose studies touch on technology, design, math, science and engineering. Both undergraduates and graduate students are eligible to receive free software from Microsoft.
Some free Microsoft Software available now are

* Visual Studio 2005 Professional Edition
* Visual Studio 2008 Professional Edition
* XNA Game Studio 2.0
* Microsoft Expression Studio
* SQL Server 2005 Express Edition
* Windows Server, Standard Edition
* Virtual PC 2007

Add to that the 12-month free Academic membership in the XNA Creators Club. If you are an Indian student, what are you waiting for – take advantage of this offer and download free Microsoft software on your computer.

Procedure to get Software’s:

* Select and Visit partner location near your place.
* Show your college ID card & collect software DVD.
* Then get verified & enter 25 digit key found on the DVD.
* Login using Live ID and complete verification process.
* Download License keys from DreamSpark website.

This broad range of professional-level software is distributed in DVDs by program partners NIIT, Aptech and Hughes Net Fusion Centers. A student merely needs to offer a proof of identity at a branch of these institutes to avail of a DreamSpark DVD. There are 125 NIIT, 175 Aptech, and 200 Hughes Net Fusion Centers participating across the country.

Alternatively, if you have a high bandwidth connection, you may download the software online from dreamsparkindia.com.Apart from getting verified as a student, one also needs a Windows Live ID to get free downloads, product keys and licenses to full versions of Microsoft products.

DreamSpark will also facilitate student participation in Microsoft’s annual marquee contest, Imagine Cup, through various contest categories such as software design, short films, photography etc. Students from India that qualify for the Imagine Cup 2009 World Finals will get to travel to Egypt. Selected teams will also get the opportunity to get mentored by the Centre for Innovation, Incubation & Entrepreneurship (CIIE) at IIM, Ahmedabad.

sai