Windows Desktop Licensing for the Government Sector

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q. My government organization is looking for the most cost-effective way to acquire new PCs running Windows operating systems. What is the best way to obtain PCs with fully licensed Windows software?
A. The most cost-effective way to acquire genuine Windows licenses is to purchase PCs with the Windows software preinstalled by REASON.

Q. If my organization has an Academic Volume Licensing agreement that currently provides a Windows upgrade, are my PCs still required to have a license for the full Windows operating system as well?
A. Yes. All Volume Licensing agreements provide only the license for the Windows
upgrade—not the full Windows license. You are required to have a separate license for the initial full eligible operating system deployed on any PC.

Q. If my organization purchases PCs with Windows desktop operating
systems preinstalled by a PC
manufacturer, can those operating systems be transferred to newly
purchased PCs that are acquired
without operating systems?
A. No. An OEM Windows operating
system may never be transferred from the PC on which it was originally installed, even if the PC is no longer in use.

Q. I would like to save my organization money by buying my PCs without Windows operating systems. What are the risks in doing this?
A. Getting Windows preinstalled on your PC is your most cost-effective option, but this can only be done at the same time you purchase your PC. Getting the Windows license “after the fact” will limit your options, will be more costly, and will increase your risk of getting a counterfeit or unlicensed copy.

Windows Desktop Licensing
for the Government Sector

Getting genuine Windows® software can save you time and money and will reduce security risks and legal liability. Know the facts below to ensure your government organization is properly licensed.

Windows Desktop Licensing Rules:

Each PC running Windows desktop software needs to have its own FULL
Windows desktop license.

There are two ways to acquire the initial full Windows license on a new PC:

Preinstalled on a PC via REASON—the most cost-effective way to acquire a Windows license.
Through retail stores as full packaged product.

Microsoft® Volume Licensing agreements cover the Windows desktop UPGRADE ONLY.

This is true for all Volume Licensing agreements including Government agreements and purchases off of a State-wide Select or Enterprise Agreement— regardless of whether the agreement was purchased with or without Software Assurance. Windows upgrades are designed to upgrade a previously acquired qualifying license. An organization must first have the full qualifying underlying
license before using a Volume Licensing agreement to upgrade that license to a new or different version.

Keeping Your Government Organization Properly Licensed:

When purchasing PCs make sure your request for a quote or bid includes a genuine operating system preinstalled.
Resellers may attempt to save costs by excluding the Windows license. Getting Windows software
preinstalled is your most cost-effective option. Getting an unlicensed PC is likely to cost you more in
the long run.
Using a Volume Licensing agreement to install the initial full Windows license on an unlicensed PC will
leave your organization mislicensed and legally non-compliant.
Acquiring a Windows “Home” or “Starter” version preinstalled and then using a Volume Licensing agreement to upgrade to a “Professional” or “Business” version is not covered by Volume Licensing* and will result in legal non-compliance. For a current list of qualifying underlying licenses eligible for Windows upgrade under Volume Licensing visit http://www.microsoftvolumelicensing.com/userights/PL.aspx
Make sure you understand licensing rules to keep your organization compliant.

Legalization Options:

Contact us for information about legalizing your Microsoft products.

901 East Cliff Road Suite 101 | Burnsville, MN 55337 tel: 952.229.2060 | fax: 952.229.2061 | toll free: 800.601.5194