Licensing Briefs | Microsoft Volume Licensing

Product licensing briefs

Licensing briefs provide in-depth knowledge of licensing topics. They are particularly useful for learning about complex licensing situations involving new technologies or combinations of products.

General Servers Desktop Virtualization

General

Self-Hosted Applications

October 2017

Provides an in-depth look at the “Self-Hosted Applications” use right and its requirements for Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) that want to provide their own software as a hosted service.

Downgrade rights

September 2017

Explains the downgrade rights for the most commonly acquired systems License Terms granted by Volume Licensing programs and how they compare with original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and full-package product (FPP) license rights.

Microsoft 365

July 2017

Microsoft 365 is a per-user licensing option that includes Office 365, Windows 10 Enterprise, and Enterprise Mobility + Security. Microsoft 365 is available in two options, E3 and E5.

Reimaging rights

June 2017

Explains the rights that are granted to all Volume Licensing customers to copy software onto multiple devices from one standard image.

Introduction to per core licensing and basic definitions

April 2017

The purpose of this brief is to provide definitions of key terms related to server licensing and introduce the basics of the per core licensing model.

Microsoft software license dependency guide

December 2015

A comprehensive list of Microsoft software licenses and dependent licenses (the "software stack") required under the terms of Volume Licensing programs.

Licensing Windows Embedded 8

April 2014

Windows Embedded 8 is a trusted platform that enables enterprises to delight customers and extend the power and intuitive experience of Windows 8 to specialized devices. This brief explains the options for licensing Windows Embedded 8 editions and key enterprise features.

What are "Qualified Devices"?

April 2014

Some Volume Licensing agreements and enrollments provide organization-wide licensing with tiered pricing that can be based on the number of "Qualified Devices." This brief provides a revised definition of a "Qualified Device."

Step-up Licenses

To find out the SKUs for Step-ups, please contact your partner.

Servers

Multiplexing—Client Access License (CAL) requirements

September 2017

Explains how multiplexing affects the licensing of server operating systems and server products licensed under the server/Client Access License (CAL) model.

Base and Additive Client Access Licenses: An explanation

November 2018

An explanation of how server software that requires Client Access Licenses (CALs) offers one base CAL to license access to server functionality and may offer one or more additive CALs.

Licensing Microsoft SharePoint Server

April 2017

Clarifies the licensing process for Microsoft SharePoint Server and gives some examples of common-use licensing scenarios.

Licensing the Core CAL Suite and the Enterprise CAL Suite

September 2018

Explains how the Microsoft Core Client Access License (CAL) Suite and the Microsoft Enterprise CAL Suite can provide access rights for a number of server products and online services.

Server and Cloud Enrollment

April 2015

Reviews the requirements for the installed base-wide commitment for the Server and Cloud Enrollment.

Client Access Licenses Suite Bridges Overview

September 2018

Explains how Microsoft Client Access License (CAL) Suite Bridges are used when transitioning from a CAL Suite (on-premises) to a comparable Product and Online Service combination.

Desktop

Licensing Microsoft Office software in Volume Licensing

October 2018

Covers use rights for Microsoft Office for the Windows operating system acquired as a software product under a desktop application license (typically, a perpetual license).

Licensing Microsoft Office 365 ProPlus subscription service in Volume Licensing

October 2018

Addresses commonly asked questions about how to license Office 365 ProPlus subscription service through Volume Licensing.

Licensing Windows and Microsoft Office to use on the Apple Mac

October 2018

Answers frequently asked questions about licensing the Windows operating system and Microsoft Office to run on the Mac.

Windows desktop operating system license requirements

August 2015

Provides an explanation of Microsoft operating system license requirements for initial operating systems, the transfer of licenses, and the reassignment of licenses.

Licensing Windows client and server operating systems in multiuser scenarios

March 2014

Clarification of Microsoft Volume Licensing policies for the Windows client, Windows Server, and Windows MultiPoint Server operating systems when the potential for multiuser scenarios exists.

Virtualization

Licensing Microsoft server products for use in virtual environments

December 2017

Provides an overview of Microsoft licensing models for the server operating system and server applications under virtual environments.

Licensing Windows Server for use with virtualization technologies

October 2017

Discusses how Windows Server is licensed when used with virtualization technologies like VMware ESX/ESXi, Microsoft System Center (Virtual Machine Manager component), or under the Microsoft Azure Hybrid Benefit.

Licensing of Microsoft Desktop Application Software for use with Windows Server Remote Desktop Services

September 2018

Clarifies Microsoft licensing policies for Windows Server Remote Desktop Services (RDS) and Microsoft desktop applications for use with Windows Server RDS.

Licensing Windows desktop operating system for use with virtual machines

August 2015

Provides an overview of the Microsoft Volume Licensing use rights for the Windows 10 operating system when running within virtual machines.