
Microsoft is presenting Windows 8.1 update at TechEd North America in New Orleans, LA and at the same time published information about Visual Studio 2013 and new benefits about Windows Azure for MSDN Subscribers.
Some highlights I want to share with you:
- Microsoft is now charging Virtual Machines, Web and Worker roles, per-minute.
- You will not be charged if your Virtual Machine is stopped. All your deployment state is preserved.
Monthly Windows Azure Credits and usage
After a first month with $200 credit for any MSDN subscriber, depending on your subscription level (Professional, Premium or Ultimate) you will get respectively $50, $100 or $150 to use for any Windows Azure service for dev/test purpose. And that’s the big point here. You are not anymore allowed to use your MSDN subscription to publish any Windows Azure service for production purpose. If you still want to be able to do so, you will need to refuse the new offer, sign into the account portal, and next to your Windows Azure MSDN subscription you will find the option to opt out of the conversion. Microsoft BizSpark Startups are not concerned by the dev/test purpose limitation. Get more information regarding the BizSpark program.
MSDN Rates for Windows Azure
On top of the new credit based account, MSDN subscribers will also benefit from lower rates for some services. A picture is more efficient that a long text, so here are the discounts you will be able to enjoy.

MSDN Software
Another great thing coming with this announcement is that you are now allows to use your MSDN licenses on Windows Azure. In other words, you can publish a Virtual Machine with any software coming from your MSDN account. (except client OS)