Microsoft Fresh Start and Microsoft Authorised Refurbisher (MAR) are specifically-designed programmes to make it easier for schools to use donated computers and acquire low-cost, second use, refurbished PC's, safe in the knowledge that their equipment uses properly licensed software.

In the past, this wasn’t easy as donated computers don’t always have their original documentation and software CDs, and purchasing refurbished PCs could potentially pose a myriad of licensing issues.

Schools have a choice about how they remedy this situation to ensure that the PCs they use are legally licensed. If they have been donated PCs direct from an organisation that has used them previously and they need to obtain properly licensed Operating System software to load on these machines, they should opt for the Fresh Start for Donated Computers programme, which is free of charge.

Alternatively, if they wish to purchase low cost previously used PCs that have already been refurbished, they should opt for the MAR programme. Through this programme, Microsoft authorises approved Refurbishers to install legal versions of Microsoft’s Operating Systems as part of the refurbishment process.