Microsoft operating system licensing: How to properly license your PCs for Windows Desktop operating systems
To be properly licensed for a Windows Desktop Operating System (such as Windows 7), each PC must have a FULL license for genuine Windows operating system software. You can accomplish this in two standard ways:
- For newly manufactured PCs, the best way to acquire that license is by having the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) pre-install Windows on the PC.
- If the OEM has not pre-installed windows on the PC, then you can purchase a full Windows license through retail full packaged product (FPP).
Academic institutions that acquire a Windows Upgrade license through a Microsoft Volume Licensing agreement must first have a full underlying Windows license—Microsoft Volume Licensing only provides the UPGRADE license.
Have existing PCs that are not properly licensed for Windows? Help is available
We have found that many education institutions may be unaware that they have improperly licensed Windows operating system software. But with Microsoft operating system licensing, it is easy to properly license Windows software--if your institution has purchased PCs without genuine Windows operating software preinstalled, discovers it is using a non-genuine copy of Windows, or has installed a Windows Upgrade using Microsoft Volume Licensing media without first having a qualifying full operating system license in place.
The Get Genuine Windows Agreement for Academic (GGWA-A) is a cost-effective way for qualified academic institutions to fully license their Windows operating system software on existing Windows PCs. Institutions that lack the proper Windows license for any of their existing PCs, may acquire full Windows licenses for Windows 7 through GGWA-A. Once the underlying operating system is fully licensed through GGWA-A, the institution is eligible to acquire the Windows 7 Upgrade license through Academic Volume Licensing Programs.
For help determining if your Windows software is genuine and properly-licensed, contact your Microsoft reseller or visit
How to Tell website today.
| Full Operating System License |
Upgrade Operating System License |
|---|
| May be used for a computer without a previously installed and licensed operating system |
May be used only for a computer that already has a full operating system license (See the product use rights for a list of qualifying operating systems) |
| Licenses the use of the specific version of the operating system purchased |
Licenses the use of a newer version of the operating system than the previously-installed version |
| Does not include the right to downgrade to previous versions of the operating system* |
Includes the right to downgrade to previous versions of the operating system* |
| NOT available through Microsoft Academic Volume Licensing Programs |
Available through Microsoft Academic Volume Licensing Programs |
| NOT available through Academic Edition Full-Packaged Product (retail) |
Available through Academic Edition Full-Packaged Product (retail) |
*These rights vary depending on the operating system version and manner in which it was acquired. Consult your End User License Agreement (EULA) or Volume License Agreement for details.
Note
The information on this page applies to customers in the United States and Canada. Customers in other locations should refer to their
regional Microsoft Licensing website or contact their local Microsoft representative for more information.