The Microsoft Fresh Start program provides fully licensed, Windows 2000 Professional for your school's donated computers at no cost.
The Microsoft Fresh Start for Donated Computers program gives primary and secondary schools (K12) the ability to put the computers they receive as donations from individuals, companies, and government agencies to use quickly and easily. Through a simple online application process, school districts can obtain directly from Microsoft—and at no cost—the Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional licensing documentation and installation CDs they need to put each of their qualifying computers in front of those young, inquisitive eyes.
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Program requirements
The Microsoft Fresh Start for Donated Computers program is open to accredited primary and secondary (K-12) public or private academic institutions, school districts, school systems, local education authorities, and boards of education in the United States who accept donated personal Windows-based computers for classroom use. Two- and four-year colleges, universities, technical schools, and other post-high school institutions are NOT eligible for the Fresh Start program.
Update: License transfer benefit
We are pleased to announce that Fresh Start schools may request permission to transfer their Fresh Start licenses to their students eligible for free and reduced-price meals when it’s to be transferred as part of a school’s donation program of used computers. Simply go to this website (http://www.microsoft.com/Education/fsinfo.mspx) to submit your request.
At the same website, schools can also request permission to transfer their academic volume licenses for the same purposes.
For all questions relating to schools requesting permission to transfer their academic volume licenses or Fresh Start licenses to students, send e-mail to avltpp@microsoft.com.
Pentium III computers qualify
Computers must have been received as a donation from a private individual, business, or government agency and use a Pentium III (or equivalent) or lower microprocessor to qualify. Their original, installed operating systems are assumed to have been Windows, and the school must retain ownership of the computers. The operating system license or software you receive may not be transferred to students or other individuals or organizations outside the school.
Why Pentium 4 computers don't qualify
Computers using a Pentium 4 (or equivalent) or higher processor already bear a Certificate of Authenticity (COA) sticker indicating they have sufficient documentation for a valid Windows operating system license. To download and reinstall the appropriate Windows operating system, use any medium available, including a Microsoft volume licensing agreement if you have it.
How to apply
Applying for the Microsoft Fresh Start for Donated Computers program takes only a few minutes. Simply fill out the easy-to-complete online application form. Within 24 hours, you will receive an e-mail with information about your application, including an order ID number. It's very important that you keep this e-mail because the order ID number allows you to check the status of your application quickly and easily.
If your application is approved, we will mail to you the licensing documentation for Windows 2000 Professional. When requested by the schools, we will also supply one copy of Windows 2000 Professional for each donated computer. Please allow four to six weeks to receive your licensing documentation and installation CDs.
Next steps
Most school districts enrolled in the Fresh Start program find it only takes a few hours a year to administer. For example, when they first fill out the online application, they report the number of donated computers currently in their classrooms. Once their application has been approved and they have received their initial licensing documentation and software, they then are only required to update the number of donated computers once a year. The time invested in Fresh Start is kept to a minimum and usually does not require hiring additional staff. So, take one of the following next steps and see if you qualify:
