If there's one thing to remember when acquiring Microsoft software, it is this: The best and most cost effective way to acquire genuine Microsoft® Windows® and Microsoft Office is by obtaining it pre-installed on your PC by the manufacturer.

When all of your Microsoft software is authentic and properly licensed, you can rest assured in the knowledge that your company has:

• A solid program of good IT and Software Asset Management in place.
  
• Access to the latest updates, premium add-ons, product enhancements, and tech support.
  
• Protection from the Trojan horses, spyware, and malware that can be embedded in counterfeit software.
  
• A clear path for upgrading to Windows Vista when the time comes.
  

Click here to learn more about Legalization Solutions.

Consider these scenarios and see if your company might be in a similar situation. Did your company:

1. Purchase PCs without an operating system (OS) preinstalled and then use a Volume License agreement to install Windows?
2. Purchase PCs with Windows XP Home installed as the base OS, and then use a commercial Volume License agreement to upgrade to Windows XP Professional?
3. Purchase PCs with Windows Vista Home Premium, Home Basic, or Starter editions, and then use a commercial VL agreement to upgrade to Windows Vista Business or Ultimate?
4. Attempt to save costs by doing in-place motherboard upgrades without acquiring new Windows licenses on those PCs?
5. Download software online or from unknown sources?

These and other scenarios are all too common, and can result in unlicensed or counterfeit software on your systems. However, Microsoft offers a portfolio of Legalization Solutions that can get your organization back on track.