Microsoft Licensing Primer
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So, armed with my fledgling knowledge of Microsoft licensing, I reached out to our software vendor today, who confused me again.
I'd like to start a thread here of what I know, piece, by piece. If it is correct, I will move on. If it is not, we'll correct and adjust.
BASE KNOWLEDGE:
An OS (whether desktop or server) can only be licensed in two ways. OEM or retail, which is known as FPP. -
@BRRABill said:
BASE KNOWLEDGE:
An OS (whether desktop or server) can only be licensed in two ways. OEM or retail, which is known as FPP.That is correct. The base install must be one of these two options.
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OK, good. Because my rep said to stop saying "volume licensing" and only say "licensing" because that is what we would be purchasing.
So, there can you buy licenses through "volume licensing"?
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@scottalanmiller said:
@BRRABill said:
BASE KNOWLEDGE:
An OS (whether desktop or server) can only be licensed in two ways. OEM or retail, which is known as FPP.That is correct. The base install must be one of these two options.
This isn't right - Volume Licensing is a third option.
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@Dashrender said:
This isn't right - Volume Licensing is a third option.
Sorry, missed server. For DESKTOP there is only one option. Argh, why do these keep getting combined?
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@BRRABill said:
An OS (whether desktop or server)
Never discuss these two together. They have no relationship and ANY attempt to mix them will lead to confusion. There is no reason to ever discuss their licensing together. They are different in every way and no knowledge of one will assist you in the other. Microsoft makes desktops and servers totally discrete, treat them that way. This has been causing your issues since the first post because you were applying server thinking to desktop systems and it continues to plague you. Ask the same questions, but always ask them about each individually and don't combine them in any fashion.
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@scottalanmiller said:
For DESKTOP there is only one option.
Actually there are two, OEM and FPP.
But for servers there are three, OEM, FPP and Volume/Open Licensing.
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@Dashrender said:
@scottalanmiller said:
For DESKTOP there is only one option.
Actually there are two, OEM and FPP.
I meant ONE as in "direct purchase" rather than volume
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@Dashrender said:
@scottalanmiller said:
For DESKTOP there is only one option.
Actually there are two, OEM and FPP.
But for servers there are three, OEM, FPP and Volume/Open Licensing.
Can't you get Windows Desktop OS's through a volume license agreement?
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@coliver said:
Can't you get Windows Desktop OS's through a volume license agreement?
No
You can get VL ugprades, but no base desktop OSes.
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Now to really add confusion to the mix... you can purchase Software Assurance AND Upgrades to Desktop OSes through Volume/Open Licensing, but the base license itself can not be purchased through Volume/Open Licensing (though I think huge companies can purchase desktop OSes through Enterprise Agreement (EA), which would technically be another way to acquire Desktop OS Licenses).
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@coliver said:
@Dashrender said:
@scottalanmiller said:
For DESKTOP there is only one option.
Actually there are two, OEM and FPP.
But for servers there are three, OEM, FPP and Volume/Open Licensing.
Can't you get Windows Desktop OS's through a volume license agreement?
nope, only SA and upgrades.
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@scottalanmiller said:
@coliver said:
Can't you get Windows Desktop OS's through a volume license agreement?
No
You can get VL ugprades, but no base desktop OSes.
That's right thanks for correcting me.
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@scottalanmiller said:
Argh, why do these keep getting combined?
a) i like creating havoc
b) i am so learning -
Here is the really high level view. Until you get into very special cases you basically:
- Always get your desktop OS as OEM with the machine when you buy it. You don't buy desktop OSes.
- Always get your server OS from VL.
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So to refine this before moving on.
DESKTOP: you can only obtain a license through OEM or FPP
SERVER: you can obtain a license through OEM, FPP, or VL
Is that correctly separated, and correct?
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@scottalanmiller said:
Here is the really high level view. Until you get into very special cases you basically:
- Always get your desktop OS as OEM with the machine when you buy it. You don't buy desktop OSes.
- Always get your server OS from VL.
DESKTOP: When would you ever need to purchase a FPP? If you wanted to install another OS on a desktop that didn't already have that? For example if you licenses Vista on a machine, but wanted to wipe it and install Windows 10?
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@BRRABill said:
So to refine this before moving on.
DESKTOP: you can only obtain a license through OEM or FPP
SERVER: you can obtain a license through OEM, FPP, or VL
Is that correctly separated, and correct?
Correct.
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@BRRABill said:
DESKTOP: When would you ever need to purchase a FPP? If you wanted to install another OS on a desktop that didn't already have that?
When you have a machine that has no OEM license and you are willing to pay the premium for FPP to get the flexibility that it can provide. FPP is super rare.
