Activation of Free Express Editions Expires?

Actually this is a couple of questions:
Do the currently free Express Editions require activation? If so, what is the reason?
Say, I am interested in the Express Edition and definitely since it is free, I download the IMG files and burn to CD. Can I still install and ACTIVATE after more than one year if activation is required?
Get my point, if these things are free AND they require activation, then it is possible Microsoft won't allow activation after November 2006. Considering I un-install and re-install software frequently and sometimes years down the road, I find a desire or need to install old software to solve some problem... I don't want to be dependent on software that won't work for me anymore, EVEN if it is/was free.

[753 byte] By [mspres] at [2007-12-17]

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# 1

If the software stops installing, it will probably also stop working.

cgraus at 2007-9-8 >

top of Msdn Tech,Visual Studio Express Editions,Installing and Registering Visual Studio 2005 Express Editions...

# 2

Hello!
Microsoft loves you much more than you'd realize! :-)
1. The full version WILL NOT stop at 7 Nov. 2006. Only the download ability won't be available, but if you get it now, it is yours to use it FOREVER!
2. Thw CD image version DOES NOT require any form of activation!
I hope you have a nice day now :-)
All the best,

Peter

petervelosy at 2007-9-8 >

# 3

Beautiful...

bkaye at 2007-9-8 >

# 4

I'll bite. CD image? Where's that. The download times out for me. Thanks.

drider at 2007-9-8 >

Visual Studio Express Editions

Installing and Registering Visual Studio 2005 Express Editions