On Microsoft Dreamspark, they have a very nice list of Microsoft development tools that you can download for FREE. Mind you, these aren’t just the free editions of their software, these are Standard to Professional editions that individuals and companies pay a lot of money for.
The catch is that you need to be a student with a student email. (Something like student.name@myuniversity.edu).
They currently offer:
- Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Developer Edition
- Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 Professional Edition
- Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 Professional Edition
- Microsoft Expression Studio 1.0
- Microsoft Expression Studio 2 Trial Edition (includes Web, Blend, Media, and Design)
- Microsoft Windows Server 2003 R2 Standard Edition
- Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Standard Edition
- IT Academy Student Pass
