UPDATE: Please see the latest official Microsoft update on this located at the link below:

How and where to download Microsoft Windows Small Business Server (SBS) 2011 Standard and Windows Small Business Server (SBS) 2011 Essentials as a Microsoft partner

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This past week, there have been some questions that have crossed my desk from partners from different areas asking about obtaining the bits for Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2011.  They have come through email, the blog, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook, and in a nutshell, the questions seem to revolve around these two things:

1. When will Windows Small Business Server 2011 bits be on the Microsoft partner digital distribution portal for Microsoft partners to download it?
2. How/where do Microsoft partners get the bits for Windows Small Business Server 2011 before then?

To help provide answers to these questions, I thought I would post the information here on the blog for you.

Question #1: When will Windows Small Business Server 2011 bits be on the Microsoft partner digital distribution site for Microsoft partners to download it?

Answer: Windows SBS 2011 software and keys will be available on the Microsoft partner digital distribution site in late February (estimated).

Question #2: How/where do Microsoft partners get the bits for Windows Small Business Server 2011 before then?

Answer #2: Below I will provide the answers, depending on if you are a Microsoft partner with a gold competency or silver competency, Action Pack Solution Provider subscription, or Action Pack Development and Design subscription.

If you are a Microsoft partner with a gold competency or silver competency:

• You should download the Windows Small Business Server 2011 bits from the TechNet or MSDN site that you receive access to as a benefit of your Microsoft Partner Network Membership.
• Please note: product keys distributed through the MSDN and TechNet are single activation keys. As a Microsoft partner, you can obtain your Multiple Activation Key (MAK) product key from the Microsoft partner digital distribution portal in late February.

If you are a Microsoft partner with an Action Pack Solution Provider subscription:

• You should download the Windows Small Business Server 2011 bits from the TechNet site that you receive access to as a benefit of your Microsoft Action Pack Solution Provider subscription.
• Please note: product keys distributed through the TechNet are single activation keys. As a Microsoft partner, you can obtain your Multiple Activation Key (MAK) product key from the Microsoft partner digital distribution portal in late February.

If you are a Microsoft partner with an Action Pack Development and Design subscription:

• You should download the Windows Small Business Server 2011 bits from the Microsoft TechNet Evaluation Center site.  (Windows Small Business Server 2011 bits expected to be there sometime during the week of January 17th)
• This is a 30 day evaluation copy and no product key is required.
• The evaluation period is 30 days (can be reset for an additional 30 days if necessary due to keys not being on the Microsoft partner digital distribution portal by end of your trial period)
• As a Microsoft partner, you can obtain your Multiple Activation Key (MAK) product key from the Microsoft partner digital distribution portal in late February and convert your trial into a full production copy.

Now you know how and where you can obtain the bits for Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2011. 

Thank you and have a wonderful day,

Eric Ligman – Follow me on TWITTER, LinkedIn, and RSS and see “What I’m thinking”
Global Partner Experience Lead
Microsoft Worldwide Partner Group
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights