Microsoft Licensing

This report summarizes Windows 7 licensing rules and purchase options for conventional desktop architectures.

Issues arise because most customers initially obtain Windows client licenses from their PC hardware manufacturer rather than directly from Microsoft, as is the case with other products. Microsoft has also chosen to offer a variety of special use rights to Software Assurance (SA) customers only. This complicates the decision of whether to purchase SA, which can be costly but which also delivers a special Enterprise edition of Windows 7 with extra management and other capabilities, as well as support and training services.

INTRODUCTION

The Windows client OS remains Microsoft's most widely used software and consequently weighs heavily in any organization's licensing decisions.

Windows 7 generally follows a per-device licensing model: The PC where it runs requires a license. While simple in theory, there are many license acquisition and compliance issues unique to Windows 7. Issues arise because most customers initially obtain Windows client licenses from their PC hardware manufacturer rather than directly from Microsoft, as is the case with other products. Microsoft has also chosen to offer a variety of special use rights to Software Assurance (SA) customers only. This complicates the decision of whether to purchase SA, which can be costly but which also delivers a special Enterprise edition of Windows 7 with extra management and other capabilities, as well as support and training services.

Because new PCs generally come with Windows, Microsoft volume licensing programs play a smaller role for Windows than they do for other products, such as Office. However, some Windows-related purchases are best made through these programs, and choosing the right program can help organizations strike the right balance between cost, commitment levels, compliance, and payment structures.

What's Ahead

This report summarizes Windows 7 licensing rules and purchase options for conventional desktop architectures in which Windows 7 runs on each user's desktop computer or laptop. It is part of a larger series of reports on Windows 7 licensing that will also cover virtual desktop infrastructures (VDIs) in which users remotely access Windows 7 running on servers. Windows 7 has a special set of licensing rules related to VDIs, which can significantly affect purchasing decisions compared to conventional desktop architectures. (See the illustration "Virtual Desktop Infrastructure and Windows 7".)

This report includes the following chapters:

• "Compliance and Enterprise Deployment" presents the basic rules for licensing PCs for Windows 7. It outlines the types of licenses required for large-scale Windows 7 deployments and the channels through with they can be purchased. It explains why most organizations license new PCs for Windows 7 Professional and purchase those licenses from PC manufacturers, while obtaining software media and upgrade licenses through volume license programs. It also summarizes Windows 7 licensing for Apple Mac computers.
• "Choosing an Edition" outlines the trade-offs between the two most important editions of Windows 7 for organizations: Windows 7 Professional and Windows 7 Enterprise. It also summarizes Windows 7 Ultimate, which resembles Windows 7 Enterprise but is not suited for large-scale deployment by organizations.
• "Evaluating Software Assurance" explains the costs and benefits of SA on Windows 7 Professional, which delivers access to Windows 7 Enterprise, the right to purchase the Desktop Optimization Pack management tools, upgrade rights to future versions of Windows, and other benefits.
• "Choosing Volume Licensing Programs" explains how to choose among several volume licensing programs for Windows-related purchases, including the pros and cons of including the OS in an Enterprise Agreement. It also briefly summarizes Windows Intune, a Microsoft-hosted security and management subscription service for PCs that delivers access to Windows 7 Enterprise and other benefits.
• "Resources" provides links to other Directions on Microsoft reports and Microsoft sources for Windows 7 licensing and technology.

Charts & Illustrations included in this Report:

• Illustration: Virtual Desktop Infrastructure and Windows 7
• Sidebar: Why Not Buy Windows 7 Retail Licenses?
• Illustration: Remote Desktop Access to Windows on a PC
• Sidebar: Licensing Windows 7 to Run on Macs
• Illustration: Windows 7 Editions
• Illustration: Upgrade Paths to Windows 7
• Sidebar: Desktop Optimization Pack
• Sidebar: Windows Intune

This 20-page Report Contains [12,960 words].

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