Pricing and Licensing

(October 24, 2005): Microsoft has made significant licensing changes to address the growing mix of virtual machines and traditional server software running in the data center.

(October 10, 2005): Read about how Microsoft is simplifying the Windows Server licensing policy to promote consolidation and cost savings..

(October 19, 2004): Read about Microsoft's software licensing policy for multicore server technologies.

Find Windows Server 2003 R2 pricing information for the operating system, client access, and external connector licenses.

The Windows Server Virtualization Calculator provides two ways to estimate the number and cost of Windows Server Standard Edition, Enterprise Edition, and Datacenter Edition licenses needed for your virtualization scenarios to help you determine the most cost-effective edition of Windows Server.

Get an overview of key changes in use rights for Windows Server 2003 R2 Editions.

Get an overview of current licensing criteria for Windows Server 2003, including elements that have not changed, changes from Windows 2000 Server licensing, and the Terminal Server licensing transition plan.

Find out about flexible, cost-effective client access licensing options. Learn the difference between client access licensing types and modes.

Learn about the licensing option that is ideal for those who would like to allow external users, such as business partners and customers, to access their network.

See how volume licensing helps reduce administrative overhead and software-management costs for your organization in a chart that outlines available programs to fit the size and nature of your organization.

Learn about specific licensing requirements for Windows Server 2003 Terminal Server and changes from previous licensing models.

Understand the licensing requirements for Windows Server 2003 Web Edition, which was specifically designed to be used as a single-purpose Web server.

Learn about licensing options for Datacenter Edition as well as upgrade, support, and maintenance services offered through OEMs. Find out how to receive a list of qualified server configurations through the Windows Datacenter High Availability Program.

Find out about licensing options for Web hosters, including information about the Microsoft Services Provider License Agreement (SPLA).

Find out about the availability, pricing, and licensing requirements of new features and related technologies that use Windows Server 2003 functionality.

Understand the additional licensing information for running Windows SharePoint Services on Windows Server 2003 Web Edition.

Learn about Windows Rights Management Services pricing and licensing for client access and external connector licenses.

Find out how to get automatic access to new technology, support, tools, and training through the Microsoft Software Assurance program.

Read how Windows Server 2003 R2 licenses can be downgraded to use or access older versions of the corresponding licenses.

Find out about purchasing options for the Windows Server 2003 family of products.

Find answers to commonly asked questions about Terminal Server Client Access License (TS CAL) changes introduced with the release of Windows Server 2003.

Find answers to commonly asked questions about Rights Management Services Client Access Licenses (RMS CALs) and RMS External Connector (EC) Licenses.

Find answers to commonly asked questions about licensing changes for Windows Server 2003 R2 Enterprise Edition.

Find answers to commonly asked questions about pricing and licensing for Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server 2003 R2, including general definitions and information about client access licenses, external connector licenses, Terminal Server licensing, and Web Edition and Datacenter Edition licensing.

Find information to help determine which edition of Windows Small Business Server 2003 best fits your business needs, as well as pricing, licensing, and purchasing information.