First off, this page offers somewhat of an overview of all you can download. Though that page also shows software you can get at discounted prices, in this post I am only going to explain how to obtain the completely-free software. As of writing this the free software available are:
- Microsoft Office 2013
- Microsoft Office 2011 (Mac Version)
- Microsoft Office 2010
- Windows 8.1
- Windows 8
- Windows 7
- Oracle*
- SolidWorks
- ChemBioOffice
- LabView*
- MatLab
- Mendeley
- Sophos Anti-Virus
- A VPN Client (Specific for the UA network)**
- Xming X Server for Windows*
- StartDefrag***
- DreamSpark Software (Includes over 150 various Microsoft Products)
**Some of the listed software, such as SolidWorks, requires that you are connected to the UA network, so if you are not on campus, this tool will be useful.
***I am not going over this software; it was built for older versions of Windows (XP and lower—none of which are still supported by Microsoft) and is obsolete.
This post ended up being longer than I had expected, so I will only explain how to get the first six products mentioned in the list. I will explain how to get the other software in a later post.
The first six products mentioned can be obtained in the same way. To download these Microsoft (MS) products, go to this page http://uabookstore.arizona.edu/technology/campuslicensing/default.asp. Click the big green "Download Now" button (the one that looks like it wants to to download a virus—do not worry, it is safe).
When you do, a notification will pop up giving you some technical information about blah blah blah; click "Okay" or "Continue" (just not "Cancel"). It will then bring you to the UA login page (unless you are already logged in), so just login with your UA NetID and password. Once there, you should see a window that looks like this:
 |
| Spammy looking download button |
Click on the program you want, and then click the "Add To Cart" Button
Now, you can either check out or go back to the product page and add more programs to your cart.
Side Note: I believe you can only order one of Windows 8 (Windows 8 or 8.1). The choice you make does not even matter that much. If you order Windows 8, after you install it, it will ask you to upgrade to Windows 8.1. It might even force you to upgrade.1
Before you check out, you will see a few options you can select, namely, you have the option to order a backup disc and the option to purchase a 24 month extended access guarantee. While the software itself is free, you still have to pay if you want a backup disc. Depending on what kind of person you are, you may or may not want to buy a backup disc.Once you checkout, you will download the software as an ISO image file. (EDIT: Programs are downloaded as EXE files, Windows 7 is downloaded as an IMG file and Windows 8 is downloaded as an EXE file. The following still applies for IMG files; EXE files can be run directly by just double clicking them.) These ISO files are files that are designed to be on a disc. If you are ordering a Windows operating system (OS), you will probably have to burn the ISO to a DVD,2 so as long as you keep that DVD safe, that can be your backup disc. If you are ordering Microsoft Office, you can burn the ISO to a DVD, but it is not necessary, in Windows 7 and earlier versions of Windows, a tool such as Magic ISO can mount the file as a virtual disc to allow you to install your software. This feature is native in Windows 8. Also, you will still have the option to purchase a backup disc later via the same site (so long as you are a student at UA). Generally though, for MS Office, you can download a trial from the Microsoft website and just input your serial to activate the full program. Operating systems are a bit harder, but a general download for them can usually be found online somewhere; just use your serial key to activate the OS and you will be fine. If you ever lose your backup disc or do not want to order one, let me know, I will probably be able to help (you will still need your own valid serial key though; I will not provide you links or information on cracked software).
Windows 8 Note: If you are upgrading to Windows 8, you should not have a problem if you are currently running Windows 7. If you are running anything older than Windows 7 and trying to install Windows 8, the installation process is a bit more work. When you order Windows 8 this way, you will be download a small EXE file that will download the Windows 8 operating system and upgrade your system for you automatically. If you are not running Windows 7 though, you will have to find the ISO file that the Windows 8 upgrade software downloads and burn it to a DVD. If you would like me to write a detailed post of how to do this, let me know.
I highly suggest NOT purchasing the extended 24 month access option; it is only $5.00, but it is useless. After you checkout, you will be given the serial key for your product that you are allowed to view for 30 days. What the 24 month access option does is allow you to continue viewing the serial key for 24 months. All you need to do, is write down the serial key and this option becomes obsolete. If you are super paranoid about losing the serial key, email it to yourself, then you'll always have it even if your house burns down. This option does not make your key valid for an extra 24 months. Your key is always valid until it is used (depending on what you order, you may have up to three uses of the same product key—I believe MS Office allows the same key to be used on three computers, I could be wrong though). After you place your 30 days are up, the price rises to $12.00 for 60 days of access, so just write it down and keep it somewhere safe.
When you are ready, you can go ahead and click "Check Out."
Once you check out, you may get an order message—you will for sure if you are getting MS Office 2010. If you ordered multiple packages, then you may have several pages of messages; it may be helpful and beneficial for you to actually read them. The last "Messages" page is about terms and conditions. On the bottom of the page you have to type your username (UA NetID) and your signature (typed also) and then you may click "I Accept."
After accepting the agreement, you will be brought to a mandatory customer survey; it is not long though—only four questions per product ordered. Once you have completed the survey, you will be brought to an order confirmation page. Make sure your information is correct and click "Proceed With Order." The next page is your receipt that has all of your product keys on it. Print this page, save it as a PDF, write down the product keys, do whatever you need to so that you will have those product keys in a safe spot. (By the way, clicking the "Email order receipt" button in the "Order Summary" box will NOT send the product keys in the email).
Once you have made sure you have saved the product keys (at least, I highly suggest doing that before anything else), click the "Start Download" button above your software.
Before you can download your actual software, you have to download and install the Secure Download Manager (SDM)—you will be prompted to do this after you click "Start Download."
The files are usually quite large, so this is helpful in case you ever lose internet connection, have to restart your computer, etc.; it will resume downloading where it left off. If, while trying to install the SDM, you get a message, similar to the following, click "Run anyway;" it is safe.
Proceed with the SDM installation; it may take a few minutes. Once it is installed, go back to your web browser and click "Download .SDX." This file will open with the SDM and download your ordered software. Once you open the SDX file, you will see a web-page-like window. At the top of the page, you can change your download location (maybe download to an external hard drive for safe keeping). You can then click "Start Download" on your software and once it finishes downloading, you can open the installation file to install your software (1 GB = 1024 MB). Once your file is done downloading, you will be able to open the installation file from inside the SDM.
Congratulations, you are done.
1Of course a computer cannot actually force you to do anything; there is always a way around something like this. For example, stopping and disabling the Windows Update service will allow you to be free from Microsoft's constant updates that require you to restart your computer. The downside to this though is that your computer will not be up to date.
2You may not need to burn the ISO to a disc if you are upgrading between two consecutive operating systems, starting with Windows Vista (i.e. you have Windows 7 installed and are upgrading to Windows 8 or a more advanced version of Windows 7, such as Ultimate from Professional). You can upgrade from inside your current OS and your files, settings, and programs will be maintained.
2Another option would be to burn the ISO to a USB flash drive. Let me know if you would like me to write a post about how to do this.
Now, you can either check out or go back to the product page and add more programs to your cart.
Side Note: I believe you can only order one of Windows 8 (Windows 8 or 8.1). The choice you make does not even matter that much. If you order Windows 8, after you install it, it will ask you to upgrade to Windows 8.1. It might even force you to upgrade.1
Before you check out, you will see a few options you can select, namely, you have the option to order a backup disc and the option to purchase a 24 month extended access guarantee. While the software itself is free, you still have to pay if you want a backup disc. Depending on what kind of person you are, you may or may not want to buy a backup disc.
Windows 8 Note: If you are upgrading to Windows 8, you should not have a problem if you are currently running Windows 7. If you are running anything older than Windows 7 and trying to install Windows 8, the installation process is a bit more work. When you order Windows 8 this way, you will be download a small EXE file that will download the Windows 8 operating system and upgrade your system for you automatically. If you are not running Windows 7 though, you will have to find the ISO file that the Windows 8 upgrade software downloads and burn it to a DVD. If you would like me to write a detailed post of how to do this, let me know.
I highly suggest NOT purchasing the extended 24 month access option; it is only $5.00, but it is useless. After you checkout, you will be given the serial key for your product that you are allowed to view for 30 days. What the 24 month access option does is allow you to continue viewing the serial key for 24 months. All you need to do, is write down the serial key and this option becomes obsolete. If you are super paranoid about losing the serial key, email it to yourself, then you'll always have it even if your house burns down. This option does not make your key valid for an extra 24 months. Your key is always valid until it is used (depending on what you order, you may have up to three uses of the same product key—I believe MS Office allows the same key to be used on three computers, I could be wrong though). After you place your 30 days are up, the price rises to $12.00 for 60 days of access, so just write it down and keep it somewhere safe.
When you are ready, you can go ahead and click "Check Out."
After accepting the agreement, you will be brought to a mandatory customer survey; it is not long though—only four questions per product ordered. Once you have completed the survey, you will be brought to an order confirmation page. Make sure your information is correct and click "Proceed With Order." The next page is your receipt that has all of your product keys on it. Print this page, save it as a PDF, write down the product keys, do whatever you need to so that you will have those product keys in a safe spot. (By the way, clicking the "Email order receipt" button in the "Order Summary" box will NOT send the product keys in the email).
Once you have made sure you have saved the product keys (at least, I highly suggest doing that before anything else), click the "Start Download" button above your software.
Before you can download your actual software, you have to download and install the Secure Download Manager (SDM)—you will be prompted to do this after you click "Start Download."
The files are usually quite large, so this is helpful in case you ever lose internet connection, have to restart your computer, etc.; it will resume downloading where it left off. If, while trying to install the SDM, you get a message, similar to the following, click "Run anyway;" it is safe.
1Of course a computer cannot actually force you to do anything; there is always a way around something like this. For example, stopping and disabling the Windows Update service will allow you to be free from Microsoft's constant updates that require you to restart your computer. The downside to this though is that your computer will not be up to date.
2You may not need to burn the ISO to a disc if you are upgrading between two consecutive operating systems, starting with Windows Vista (i.e. you have Windows 7 installed and are upgrading to Windows 8 or a more advanced version of Windows 7, such as Ultimate from Professional). You can upgrade from inside your current OS and your files, settings, and programs will be maintained.
2Another option would be to burn the ISO to a USB flash drive. Let me know if you would like me to write a post about how to do this.
This post was written on Tuesday, June 03, 2014 and the content in it is subject to change as time goes on. This includes links that are in this post; if you come across a broken link in this article, please let me know.
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