Microsoft’s subscription service for IT professionals, TechNet, is shutting down after more than ten years service. TechNet offers subscribers access to evaluation copies of Microsoft software, forums, guides and news.

According to Microsoft, the closure of this service is because fewer IT professionals now choose to pay for the services offered when they are available for free elsewhere. TechNet website will continue like before, but the evaluation copies of Microsoft software will be downloadable for free from the TechNet Evaluation Center. IT pros can also turn to the subscription Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) service to get access to similar services offered on TechNet.

As Microsoft withdraws the TechNet subscription service the company will focus on increasing the number of free offers, including assessment resources via the TechNet Evaluation Center, the training led by experts using Microsoft Virtual Academy and Technical Support governed by the community through TechNet Forums to better meet the needs of the community of IT professionals continues to grow, Microsoft said in a blog post.

However, IT professionals can still purchase TechNet subscriptions until Aug. 31 and have until Sept. 30 to activate those accounts.

“Microsoft will continue to honor all existing TechNet Subscriptions. Subscribers with active accounts may continue to access program benefits until their current subscription period concludes,” the company said.

TechNet service is a resource for IT professionals and PC enthusiasts who want more information about Microsoft products. With a non-volume subscriptions range from $199 for standard, $349 for professional retail, and $599 for professional with media, IT professionals were able to look at upcoming Microsoft products, including all of the desktop and server versions of its operating systems. They also enjoyed multiple product keys and other benefits the subscription provided.

The service was mainly aimed at developers and the downloaded software was therefore only intended for evaluation. But over the years, it led to boon for software pirates and those product keys were used in PCs deployed for everyday use instead of evaluation only restriction. According to Redmond, Microsoft has seen a usage shift from paid to free evaluation experiences and resources in recent years. As a result, it has decided to retire the TechNet Subscriptions service and will discontinue sales on August 31, 2013.

Microsoft has released an FAQ detailing subscription benefits through Microsoft programs such as Not-For-Resale (NFR), Volume Licensing (VL), IT Academy (ITA), MAPS, Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT), and Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP).