Windows Fundamentals for Legacy PCs

Published: September 9, 2005 | Updated: April 4, 2008


Software Assurance Benefit, Windows Fundamentals for Legacy PCs

 

Microsoft Windows Fundamentals for Legacy PCs, available exclusively to Microsoft Software Assurance customers, is a small-footprint Windows-based operating system solution designed for customers who have legacy computers running early operating systems and who are not in a position to purchase new hardware. This solution provides the same security and manageability as Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) while providing a smooth migration path to the latest hardware and operating system.

What this means is that your IT staff can delay hardware upgrades, save on support costs, and improve productivity and security for your existing systems.

Windows Fundamentals for Legacy PCs is not a general-purpose operating system. It is designed to work with the Microsoft Remote Desktop Connection client or third-party clients, such as Citrix ICA. In addition, it allows for a limited number of workloads to be executed locally, including security software, management software, terminal emulation software, document viewers, and the .NET Framework.

Benefits of Using Windows Fundamentals for Legacy PCs
If you wantDo this
Reduced cost of ownership

  • Use existing hardware as Terminal Services clients

  • Move line-of-business and productivity applications to the server

  • Run a fully supported Windows operating system

  • Install only the components that your organization requires to minimize on-disk footprint

  • Reduce Help Desk calls by delivering the same end user experience to your entire organization

Improved manageability

  • Use the latest management tools with legacy hardware

  • Bring legacy computers into your well-managed environment

  • Reduce the number of operating systems that your organization must support

Improved security

  • Use the latest security tools with legacy hardware

  • Reduce the attack surface of all of your computers

 

 

 Top of page

Eligibility

For each Windows Client License covered under Software Assurance, you are entitled to install one copy of Windows Fundamentals for Legacy PCs as the Windows Client License.

The following Volume Licensing programs are eligible for this benefit:

  • Select License Software Assurance Membership

  • Enterprise Agreement

  • Enterprise Subscription Agreement

    •  

     Top of page

    Getting Started

    To take advantage of this benefit, contact your Microsoft partner or Software Assurance Benefits Administrator.

     

     Top of page

    Learn More

    Benefits Comparison Chart

    View a table listing the Microsoft Volume Licensing programs eligible for this and other Software Assurance benefits.

    How to Activate Benefits

    Learn how to activate Software Assurance benefits.

    How to Get Software Assurance

    Find out how to get Software Assurance.

    Case Studies

    Read real-life examples of how other businesses are deriving value from their Software Assurance benefits.

     

     Top of page