DreamSpark

DreamSpark is a Microsoft program to provide students with software design and development tools at no charge. The program was originally available for university/college students in Morocco, Belarus, Belgium, China, Finland, France, Germany, India, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, the U.K. and the U.S., but has now been expanded to more than 80 countries and is offered to many high school students.[1] To register, students must visit the DreamSpark website and verify their identity. If an institution is not listed on the available list, the user may manually verify their student status by uploading a proof such as an ID card.

The DreamSpark program was announced by Bill Gates on February 20, 2008 during a speech at Stanford University.[1][2] It is estimated that up to 35 million students will be able to access these software titles free of charge through this program.[3]

Verification

Proof of student status is required to download software and obtain product keys. On the DreamSpark website, students can verify their identity using ISIC cards, access codes ordered by school administrators, or .edu email addresses. Students remain verified for 12 months afterwards. If students can't find their school, they can manually submit a response with a proof of student status.

Products offered

Several development software titles are available for download through the program. They include:[4]

Commercial products available for free through DreamSpark

Only through DreamSpark Premium:

The basic three Microsoft Office applications of Word, Excel and PowerPoint are not available through DreamSpark: Office Home & Student 2013 or Office 365 University offers those at a discounted price for students. Unlike the programs listed above, there is no way to access similar older and compatible versions (2010, 2007) of Office for Word, Excel or PowerPoint under DreamSpark.

Free products also downloadable from DreamSpark

Offers

Past products offered

See also

References

  1. 1 2 PC World - Microsoft Gives Software to Nurture Future Coders
  2. ↑ Video - Microsoft Gives Students Access to Technical Software at No Charge to Inspire Success and Make a Difference
  3. ↑ Microsoft DreamSpark Ignites Interest | WebProNews
  4. ↑ DreamSpark Software Catalog

External links

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