Key programs

Airband Exchange ActiveSync exFAT PlayReady Remote Desktop Protocol Server Message Block Windows Media

Microsoft Rural Airband Initiative

23.4 million Americans in rural communities lack broadband internet access. The time is right to set a clear and ambitious yet achievable goal: to eliminate the rural broadband gap within the next five years.

Learn more about the initiative

Microsoft Rural Airband Initiative: technology and patents

Microsoft believes the U.S. can bring broadband coverage to rural areas within a 5-year time frame, based on a strategic approach that combines private sector capital investments in new technologies with public sector support. Microsoft further believes that other countries can use the same approach to bring broadband coverage to their rural areas over time. To accomplish this goal, we are prepared to invest in and catalyze broader market adoption of this new model through our Airband technology program. The Airband program offers businesses, non-profits, and government organizations royalty-free access to over 50 Microsoft patents, along with sample source code related to technology we’ve developed to better enable broadband connectivity using TV white space spectrum in rural areas.

US10129883
US10334507
US10334658
US10349444
US10383006
US7876786
US8179797
US8185120
US8254393
US8437790
US8473989
US8488633
US8547862
US8805427
US8811903
US8812011
US8849269
US8879573
US8923770
US8929933

US8929935
US8938272
US9042935
US9094834
US9094837
US9178652
US9179323
US9271156
US9277032
US9288681
US9288682
US9301299
US9313664
US9357402
US9386558
US9392568
US9397723
US9408132
US9438374
US9462479

US9538390
US9544777
US9674839
US9681367
US9705637
US9723541
US9730186
US9763255
US9769796
US9787507
US9801074
US9854501
US9883406
US9918313
US9924371
US10716113

Exchange ActiveSync (EAS)

Best-in-class, real-time syncing of email, contacts, calendars, and tasks on mobile and tablet.

Read the EAS overview View the protocol documents

In the mobile era, consumer and business devices respond immediately to users’ gestures, their requests, and even their voices. Users expect that key communications and productivity applications will be just as responsive, keeping them up-to-date and organized in real time.

Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync (EAS) is a powerful communications protocol that enables the syncing of email, calendars, contacts, and tasks on tablets and mobile phones, pushing accurate, reliable data.

How Exchange ActiveSync Works

The Exchange ActiveSync protocol is the language spoken between a mobile device or tablet and a messaging server, enabling synchronization of pre-defined objects. The EAS protocol allows devices to synchronize email, calendar, contacts, and tasks over the air with Microsoft Exchange, Outlook.com and other servers which implement the protocol.

Syncing is the process of reconciling differences between data stored on a device and on the Exchange Server. A mobile device or tablet will have its own email, contacts, calendar, and task applications, maintaining its own collection of objects and changes made since its last sync with the Exchange Server.

The device may initiate a new sync by sending a set of updates to the Exchange Server and requesting the Exchange Server respond with its own updates. The Exchange Server processes updates it receives, resolves any conflicts, and sends its changes back to the mobile device.

OEMs, application developers and service providers can license Exchange ActiveSync for use on their own devices, software, or servers.

Complete syncing solution

EAS ensures seamless syncing of more than just email. EAS enables new contacts, calendar appointments, and tasks to be updated instantly on all types of devices. EAS also includes mobile management device policies attractive to many businesses.

Push functionality

EAS can push messages and calendar appointments to mobile devices and tablets as soon as they become available, rather than fetching them from a server at fixed intervals. As a result, EAS works in real time, delivering updates at the speed consumers demand.

exFAT

Built to handle the demands of today’s digital media, exFAT enables seamless file transfer and storage using permanent or removable media, regardless of device or operating system.

Read our exFAT specification

Consumers and businesses are creating ever-increasing amounts of high-quality photos, video, and other digital media. Once created, that media needs to be stored and shared across multiple platforms and products. Cloud technologies can facilitate the sharing process, but in many applications, there is no substitute for the convenience of removable storage.

Extended File Allocation Table (exFAT) is Microsoft-patented file system. exFAT can handle extremely large file sizes and enables seamless file exchange between devices that use removable storage, regardless of device or operating system. Combining wide interoperability with the capacity to handle files at virtually unlimited scale, exFAT is a must-have for companies seeking an efficient file storage and transfer solution.

How exFAT works

The exFAT file system handles large files, such as those used for audio and video media. It allows efficient storage and seamless data portability between desktop PCs and consumer electronic devices, enabling easy interchange between the two. Inheriting its base from FAT32, another Microsoft file system, exFAT can be implemented with minimal effort. Companies can also choose to add transaction support to their exFAT implementation (TexFAT) to assist with transaction-safe operations. exFAT has been included in Windows operating systems since Windows CE 6.0 and Windows Vista SP1.

Enables virtually unlimited card storage

exFAT allows devices to handle growing requirements for media file storage, increasing volume capacity into the terabytes. exFAT also allows for single files to exceed 4GB, a limitation of FAT32.

Provides an extensible format

The extensible format includes OEM-definable parameters to customize the file system for specific devices.

Interoperability of systems and devices

exFAT supports interoperability with a very wide range of operating systems, avoiding the need to constantly reformat files and media.

Enables fast transfer speeds

With modern storage allocation techniques, file saves can achieve their full speeds.

exFAT as part of the Linux kernel

In August 2019 Microsoft announced its support for integrating exFAT into the Linux kernel. exFAT is now part of the Linux kernel 5.7 and devices using this code are covered under the GPLv2 license.

Read the blog post Learn more about the code

Microsoft PlayReady

Most widely deployed content access and protection technology in the world.

Visit the PlayReady website Read the technical articles

Microsoft PlayReady is a Content Protection Technology that is deployed across the world. PlayReady runs on a wide range of devices, apps, and operating systems. Thousands of services around the world and more than four billion devices use PlayReady.

PlayReady content protection is proven, versatile, and scalable. Its development is the culmination of over 14 years of research and investment - resulting in a significant patent portfolio. Microsoft’s PlayReady content protection provides valuable and reliable IP protection to over 1,000 licensees around the globe and from all parts of the ecosystem, enabling these licensees to deliver secure, premium content to millions of customers worldwide. What makes PlayReady so effective in an ever-evolving marketplace is Microsoft’s direct collaboration with the media industry leaders, content providers, OEMs, service providers and network providers to develop features and functionality for premium entertainment experiences.

PlayReady can work on major platforms, including non-Windows platforms (such as iOS and Android) and is used by most major online video services today.

Request a license

Our IP Licensing team provides licensing administration for Microsoft PlayReady Agreements. It's important to note that Microsoft only executes these technology distributions and/or product development agreements with a "Company" (which may be a sole proprietorship, corporation, educational institution, or a non-profit).

Email us at WINMLA@microsoft.com to ensure your accounts are up to date prior to starting your licensing request.

Always first review the PlayReady website to ensure that you are selecting the appropriate license agreement for your company.

Request a license by visiting our IP Licensing portal

Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP)

We’re taking the Windows experience to new devices and places and empowering the mobile worker.

View the protocol documents

Technology continues to transform the nature of work. Online and cloud collaboration empowers workers outside the traditional office, making remote work more connected, efficient, and productive. To realize the benefits of remote work, connected workers require reliable, secure access to their data, as well as a seamless user experience.

The Remote Desktop Protocol is the foundation of remote desktop client solutions that take the Windows experience anywhere. RDP allows a user to open and use a Windows desktop or application remotely, on a range of computers and mobile devices, regardless of operating system or platform.

Windows environments do not need this additional technology license. Windows desktop users have RDP built in. A server CAL is needed for server remote desktop use.

Learn how to allow access to your PC using RDP

Get the Windows Server RDP CAL

How RDP works

RDP allows users of a remote client to connect securely to a server or virtual machine over a network. RDP connects with, and channels communication between, components of remote clients and servers. RDP is a multi-channel protocol, with separate virtual channels carrying different types of data. These include graphics data, keyboard and mouse user input, device communication, file system, audio and video, and licensing information. The RDP protocol has applications in secure business and government network solutions, including where an encrypted desktop is required. RDP client software is also built into Windows Pro and Enterprise. For developers building remote desktop client applications for computers, phones, tablets, or other devices, Microsoft Technology Licensing (MTL) offers a technology license for the RDP protocol set.

Interoperable

RDP enables the Windows experience across a range of devices, and operating systems.

Secure

RDP enables a secure connection between a client and a server or virtual machine. RDP can enable the delivery of an encrypted desktop.

Enables network terminals

RDP enables the use of network terminals and “thin client” PCs, which provide strong physical security by storing all data and documents remotely.

Server Message Block (SMB)

A near-universal language for file transfers across local and virtual networks.

View the protocol documents

Modern local area networks are often mixed environments that connect an array of devices. Both homes and offices rely on networks that connect personal computers, servers, mobile devices, and peripherals such as printers and scanners.

How SMB works

SMB is a client-server system. It provides a protocol for exchanging data packets between the client device and the server. Data packets may control sessions with the server, allow users to remotely access and edit files and directories stored on the server, and perform functions such as printing documents or authenticating users.

SMB is critical to ensuring that enterprise-level servers are secure and interoperable with the networks they serve. Other applications of SMB include peripherals such as printers and scanners, security cameras, televisions, and some mobile devices.

Traditionally used in local area networks, SMB can also be used to transmit data over virtual private networks and to cloud-based solutions. SMB is implemented in Microsoft Windows as Microsoft SMB Protocol.

Extremely secure

Data transferred through SMB is protected from interception or alteration by strong encryption.

Reliable file transfer

Built-in redundancy ensures the accuracy and reliability of file transfers.

Superb interoperability

SMB enables seamless file transfer between Windows and non-Windows-based operating systems, as well as a wide variety of device types.

Common in mixed environments

Because SMB is interoperable and secure, it is almost universal in environments where multiple device types and operating systems interact.

High efficiency

SMB does not require high bandwidth and generates low network noise.

MS-SMB

Server Message Block (SMB) protocol

Explore MS-SMB

MS-SMB2

Server Message Block (SMB) protocol versions 2 & 3

Visit MS-SMB2

MS-SMBD

SMB Remote Direct Memory Access (RDMA) protocol

Explore MS-SMBD

MS-SWN

Service Witness protocol

Visit MS-SWN

Visuality Systems

Learn more about Visuality Systems

Microsoft Windows Media Components

With two types of licensing options available, Microsoft Windows Media Components continue to be a useful addition to many 3rd party products today. Licensing still available for older codecs.

Review the technical details

After this agreement is executed, you may receive:

Windows Media Audio 9 Decoder for WMA 9 Series Standard, Lossless, and Voice Codecs and WMA 10 Professional Codec (includes Advanced Systems Format (ASF) Reader)
Windows Media Video 9 Decoder for All Profiles and Levels
Windows Media Audio 9 Encoder for WMA 9 Series Standard, Lossless, and Voice Codecs and WMA 10 Professional Codec (includes ASF Writer)
Windows Media Video 9 Encoder for All Profiles and Levels
Distribution rights: Interim Product Licensees are authorized to ship Windows Media Component implementations to Windows Media Components Final Product Agreement Licensees.

Licensee list

Search the Windows Media Components licensee list.

Learn more

Ports and porting vendors

Review a list of approved ports/porting vendors

View the list

Executing a VC-1 Patent Portfolio License

As you might be aware, WMV-9 from Microsoft conforms to the VC-1 standard. Thus, every company implementing WMV-9 products or content should consider the benefits of executing the VC-1 Patent Portfolio License. The VC-1 Patent Portfolio License, which is the Microsoft-preferred method of licensing the patents in this technology, grants a license to VC-1 essential patents from many companies (including Microsoft) and thus provides additional coverage and value for WMV-9 implementers.

Find out how to request a VC-1 Patent Portfolio license through MPEG-LA

Note: Distributions of Final Products containing implementations of the WMV codec are royalty-bearing, although those royalties are substantially discounted for licensees of the VC-1 Patent Pool.

Request a Windows Media Components license from Microsoft

Microsoft's IP Licensing team provides licensing administration for Microsoft Windows Media Component Agreements. It's important to note that Microsoft only executes these technology distributions and/or product development agreements with a "Company" (which may be a sole proprietorship, corporation, educational institution, or a non-profit). Additionally, expect significant delays to your license request if your company has any outstanding payments with Microsoft.

Email WINMLA@microsoft.com to ensure your accounts are up to date prior to starting your licensing request.

Always first review the sample agreements above to ensure that you are selecting the appropriate license agreement for your company.

Request a license from our IP Licensing portal

Key programs

exFAT

How exFAT works

Enables virtually unlimited card storage

Provides an extensible format

Interoperability of systems and devices

Enables fast transfer speeds

Our exFAT licensees

Direct license with exFAT implementation

Paragon Software Group

Embedded Access

Tuxera

HCC Embedded

exFAT as part of the Linux kernel

Contact us