A validation process built into a small number of the most popular Microsoft products that must be successfully completed for the software to function correctly.

A Windows Server role (often called “AD”) that provides authentication and access management for an organization’s users, computers, and groups, and product activation; licensed via Windows Server CALs (Client Access Licenses) and server-side licenses. See AD Domain Services for in-depth entry.

An overarching term for several AD (Active Directory) related Windows Server roles, including AD Domain Services, AD Federation Services, and AD RMS (Rights Management Services).

A Windows Server role (often called “AD” or “Active Directory”) that provides authentication and access management for an organization’s users, computers, and groups, as well as limited product activation; licensed via Windows Server CALs (Client Access Licenses) and server-side licenses.

A Windows Server component that links user identities and their associated attributes across multiple identity management systems including Azure Active Directory; use covered by Windows Server licenses.

A subscription-based license that layers an online service, technical support offering, or special use rights on top of certain license(s) the customer already purchased.

An on-premises or online service product SKU acquired through an EA (Enterprise Agreement) which lacks any purchase obligation beyond acquiring a quantity sufficient to cover actual use.

A type of CAL (Client Access License) that covers access to certain advanced or niche server features.

A Windows Server-based security application licensed with Client MLs (Management Licenses) that automatically analyzes AD Domain Services activity to learn normal behaviors and activity patterns and detect anomalies.

Technology that gives administrators more control over the configuration of PCs via Group Policy; licensed with MDOP (Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack). See Advanced Group Policy Management for a detailed entry.

Software that runs client applications in an isolated environment on each user's computer or on servers, and allows organizations to centrally deploy and update the applications; see App-V for a detailed entry.

A feature associated with Skype for Business Online and Teams that enables meeting attendees to call in to meetings (via traditional telephone lines) when they are unable to attend online; users scheduling meetings with audio conferencing enabled require a User SL.

An activation method specific to Windows Enterprise when licensed Per-User; use is optional except in two specific scenarios. See synonym Windows 10 Subscription Activation for in-depth entry.

A SA (Software Assurance) benefit specific to core licenses for Windows Server and SQL Server that waives certain Azure-related fees for comparable workloads hosted in Azure.

A SA (Software Assurance) benefit specific to core licenses for Windows Server that can reduce the cost of running Windows Server-based Azure VMs by as much as 45%.

An online service that secures enterprise applications and services through a two-factor authentication process; licensed by User SLs or a consumption-based model.

An online service that encrypts e-mails, files, and other types of business content to prevent access by unauthorized users, including content moved to unsecured file sharing or shared by e-mail; licensed by User SLs (Subscription Licenses). Renamed; see Azure Information Protection for in-depth entry.

A persistent VM virtual machine running Windows Server- or Linux-based workloads hosted in Azure; fees, mostly hourly, based on compute power, use of OS and server applications, and consumption of storage and other resources.

Technology that manages BitLocker, Microsoft's full disk encryption technology; licensed with MDOP (Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack).

An evergreen document that contains numerous terms and conditions applicable to EA (Enterprise Agreement) and Select Plus volume licensing program contracts as well as to product support and consulting services contracts. See MBSA for in-depth entry.

Subscription providing the right for a user to access some subset of on-premises server products; used to “bridge” gaps between use rights included with traditional Core/Enterprise CAL Suites and use rights included with certain online service suites.

Illustration outlines the components currently in the Core CAL Suite and Enterprise CAL Suite.

Illustration lists the CAL (client access license) and Client ML (Management License) subscriptions included with Office 365 Enterprise suites, Enterprise Mobility + Security (EMS) suites, Microsoft 365 Enterprise suites, and Intune.

Refers to an end-user (person) or an end-user’s client device, or other types of non-server hardware, such as sensors.

PCs, Macs, tablets, smartphones, and other end-user devices people use to interact with Microsoft software or online services, as well as autonomous devices such as sensors that access a server-based product or online service.

An online service that monitors and controls access across multiple Microsoft and third-party hosted online services; licensed via User SLs (Subscription Licenses).

Prior name for Web-based console licensed by Office 365 Enterprise suites for managing security and compliance-related functions, including archiving, mobile device management, data loss prevention, basic eDiscovery, and retention. See Security and Compliance Center for in-depth entry.

An independent processing unit contained on a physical processor chip.

Summary of SA (Software Assurance) benefits associated with the Core CAL Suite, organized by high and low value benefits

Combines server-side licenses and SA (Software Assurance) for equivalent editions of Windows Server and System Center; licensed Per-Core.

Outlines major changes to the Core Infrastructure Server Suite’s license model and rules, edition lineup, and pricing.

A license model exclusive to Windows Server 2016 that requires at least 16 core–based licenses per physical server and CALs (Client Access Licenses) for users or access devices.

An online service that delivers customer relationship management, marketing, sales, and service capabilities. See synonym Dynamics CRM Online for in-depth entry.

A form of substitution, whereby a customer owning a license for a specific product edition deploys a different, generally lower-level edition instead. See synonym down edition for in-depth entry.

A type of servicing model offered for the Windows client OS (Windows 10) and for Windows Server (version 2016) that delivered feature updates to a computer as often as two to three times a year; replaced by SAC (Semi-Annual Channel) model.

Generally understood to mean the physical buildings an organization owns or leases to conduct its day-to-day business. See synonym premises for in-depth entry.

Tools for diagnosing and repairing failed PCs or applications and recovering lost or deleted data; licensed with MDOP (Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack). See Diagnostics and Recovery Toolset for a detailed entry.

Used to refer to the month and year a product version was officially released to volume licensing customers. See synonym Generally available for in-depth entry.

License model used for traditional Office suites, Project, and Visio; generally requires a license for each client device used to present the product user interface (UI).

A suite of technologies to help organizations centrally manage PCs; see MDOP for a detailed entry.

A server, client PC or Mac, tablet, smartphone, or other physical hardware used to run, access, or otherwise make use of a Microsoft product.

Tools for diagnosing and repairing failed PCs or applications and recovering lost or deleted data; licensed with MDOP (Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack).

Desktop Optimization Pack (DOP) is a suite of technologies to help organizations centrally manage PCs; see MDOP for a detailed entry.

A form of substitution, whereby a customer owning a license for a specific version and edition of a product deploys an older version or a lower-level edition instead.

Online service providing customer relationship management (CRM) capabilities previously packaged in Dynamics CRM Online; licensed primarily via User SLs (Subscription Licenses).

Summary of SA (Software Assurance) benefits associated with Dynamics 365 for Operations Server product, organized by high and low value benefits.

Illustration outlines the spectrum of Dynamics 365 On-Premises products and the technical features and capabilities each makes accessible via server licenses and user and device CALs (client access licenses) and SLs (subscription licenses).

Illustration outlines the spectrum of Dynamics 365 Online subscription offerings and the technical features and capabilities each makes accessible to licensed users or client devices.

Summary of SA (Software Assurance) benefits associated with Dynamics 365 Server, organized by high and low value benefits.

The previous name for Dynamics 365 Unified Operations, an online service that delivers enterprise resource planning, plant operations, and retail capabilities; licensed primarily via User SLs (Subscription Licenses); now packaged as part of Dynamics 365 Online.

Summary of SA (Software Assurance) benefits associated with Dynamics AX Server, organized by high and low value benefits

A legacy Windows Server-based server application that delivers customer relationship management, sales, and service capabilities; licensed under the Server/CAL License Model. Renamed and repackaged under Dynamics 365 Server.

A name often given to a CAL (Client Access License) that covers access to a subset of advanced server functions only, and has as a prerequisite a matching base CAL. See synonym Enterprise CAL for in-depth entry

Enterprise Cloud Suite (ECS) combined User SLs (Subscription Licenses) for Windows Enterprise, Office 365 Enterprise E3 suite, and the Enterprise Mobility + Security (EMS) E3 suite. Renamed; see Microsoft 365 Enterprise E3.

A form of substitution, whereby a customer owning a license for a specific product edition deploys a different, generally lower-level edition instead. See synonym down edition for in-depth entry.

A now defunct EA (Enterprise Agreement) enrollment option that offered discounts on server-side licenses for SQL Server, SharePoint Server, and BizTalk Server, as well as for Visual Studio and related technologies.

A name often given to a CAL (Client Access License) that covers access to a subset of advanced server functions only and has as a prerequisite a matching base CAL.

Summary of SA (Software Assurance) benefits associated with the Enterprise CAL Suite, organized by high and low value benefits

Enterprise Cloud Suite (ECS) combined User SLs (Subscription Licenses) for Windows Enterprise, Office 365 Enterprise E3 suite, and the Enterprise Mobility + Security (EMS) E3 suite. Renamed; see Microsoft 365 Enterprise E3.

Two suites that offer a collection of User SLs (Subscription Licenses) for several online services used to manage and protect user identities, devices, applications, and corporate data, along with licenses for corresponding on-premises software.

Illustration summarizes which online services are included with Enterprise Mobility + Security suites.

A subscription-based online service that an EA customer commits to purchase under an Enterprise Enrollment at a quantity which adheres to certain minimum order requirements.

Permits qualifying organizations to view Windows client OS source code for debugging or other purposes; licensed on a subscription basis through SA (Software Assurance) covered Windows Enterprise Per Device licenses, Windows Enterprise User SLs, and VDA (Virtual Desktop Access) subscription licenses.

Spreadsheet application available on client devices and platforms including Windows client OS, Mac, Android and iOS mobile devices, and Web browsers; typically licensed as part of an Office suite.

An Office 365-branded online service that provides e-mail, calendars, contacts, and tasks; works with Outlook clients; licensed standalone or as part of suites via User SLs (Subscription Licenses).

An online service that archives e-mail from Exchange Online or Exchange Server in Microsoft data centers; licensed via User SLs (Subscription Licenses) or the Enterprise CAL Suite.

A Windows Server-based server application that provides e-mail, calendaring, contact management, voice mail, and other collaboration features; licensed under the Server/CAL License Model.

Summary of SA (Software Assurance) benefits associated with Exchange Server, organized by high and low value benefits

AThis SA (Software Assurance) benefit, in the process of being phased out, waives certain fees associated with nonsecurity hotfixes for products in the Extended support lifecycle phase.

Licenses access by an unlimited number of nonemployees to instances of Windows Server running on a single physical server.

A SA (Software Assurance) benefit specific to SQL Server and Dynamics 365 On-Premises that waives the need, under limited circumstances, to license systems used for passive fail-over.

Illustration summarizes the online services and features included with Office 365 Enterprise and Microsoft 365 Enterprise “F1” suites targeting Firstline workers, a population generally requiring more modest IT services compared to knowledge workers.

A discontinued Microsoft-hosted service that filtered e-mail going into or out of organizations. See successor product Exchange Online Protection for in-depth entry.

An online service for conducting Web-based surveys, quiz¬zes, and polls; licensed through Office 365 Enterprise suites.

Refers to the month and year a product version was officially released to volume licensing customers.

A discrete computational unit to which the operating system can assign an independent instruction stream; sometimes relevant under the Per Core License Model and Server/CAL License Model.

Refers to a scenario involving Windows Server-based high performance computing (HPC) clusters licensed via volume licensing programs where client access is “free,” meaning neither Windows Server CALs (client access licenses) nor External Connectors are required.

A hardware performance enhancement technology that allows each physical core within a physical processor to execute two (rather than one) independent instruction streams simultaneously; can be a factor under the Per Core License Model.

A Windows Server-based directory synchronization and user credential management product that replaced Forefront Identity Manager; licensed on a Per-User basis with an Identity Manager CAL (Client Access License).

To make a product ready to use by running the associated setup procedure or duplicating an existing installed copy.

An individual who is an employee of the licensed organization or a contractor or agent working on the organization’s physical premises.

An activation method that allows organizations to deploy and use on-premises servers to activate products on devices with access to the organization’s private network. See synonym KMS for in-depth entry.

A feature, common across many on-premises products and online services, that prevents users and automated retention policies from deleting emails, documents, and other content.

To allocate a product license to one device or user so that it is not considered to be in use by multiple devices or users simultaneously. See synonym Assign for in-depth entry.

A special provision, usually associated with SA (Software Assurance), that allows licenses assigned to servers to be reassigned with unlimited frequency within the confines of a server farm.

A use right provided through volume licensing programs that allows customers to repurpose server licenses with active SA (Software Assurance) toward workloads running on a service provider's multitenant servers. See synonym License Mobility through SA for in-depth entry.

Lists all the Illustrations available as part of the Licensing Reference Set

Lists all the timelines available as part of the Licensing Reference Set

A discrete computational unit to which the operating system can assign an independent instruction stream; sometimes relevant under the Per Core License Model. See synonym hardware thread for in-depth entry.

The Long Term Servicing Branch (LTSB) is the label used for the slow cadence servicing model offered for System Center Configuration Manager; the term was previously used for Windows Enterprise and Windows Server until the word Branch was replaced by “Channel” (LTSC)

Client applications for desktop and mobile devices that provides access to Lync Server and Lync Online features that provided presence, instant messaging (IM), voice and video, and application sharing. Name changed; see successor product Skype for Business client for in-depth entry.

A Windows Server-based server application that provides presence, instant messaging (IM), voice and video, and application sharing. See successor product Skype for Business Server for in-depth entry.

A license model exclusive to System Center products (and Advanced Threat Analytics) that requires managed servers and clients to be licensed with Server MLs (Management Licenses) and Client MLs respectively.

An evergreen document that contains numerous terms and conditions applicable to EA (Enterprise Agreement) and Select Plus volume licensing program contracts as well as to product support and consulting services contracts.

Technology that enables organizations to centrally define and distribute VMs (virtual machines) to PCs; licensed with MDOP (Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack). See Enterprise Desktop Virtualization for a detailed entry.

Illustration summarizes the various Microsoft 365 Enterprise Suite Add-on options, including their prerequisites and contents.

An evergreen document that contains numerous terms and conditions applicable to EA (Enterprise Agreement) and Select Plus volume licensing program contracts as well as to product support and consulting services contracts. See MBSA for in-depth entry.

A set of fee-based offerings that license a broad collection of Microsoft software and online services on a Per-User basis, with use limited to application development and test, problem diagnosis and resolution, demonstration, and evaluation. See MSDN for in-depth entry.

This SA (Software Assurance) benefit provides the right to deploy new product versions that become available during the term of SA coverage. See synonym new version rights for in-depth entry.

A discontinued MSDN offering targeting operations personnel managing test labs and Windows developers who did not need a Visual Studio integrated development environment (IDE); replaced by MSDN Platforms.

Used to describe a physical processor with more than one core. See related term core for in-depth entry.

Describes scenarios where clients communicate with a server product or online service through an intermediary rather than directly.

An online service designed to help users increase their productivity by better understanding how they spend their work time within Office 365; licensed via User SLs (Subscription Licenses).

Describes a license that allows a customer to use the associated product for a specified period of time only.

Name for client application suites for Windows PCs and Macs licensed under Desktop Applications License Model, but also used in other contexts.

The default activation method for Office 365-branded applications; uses a Microsoft hosted service to manage the activation of applications installed on users’ devices.

An online service that augments the Exchange Online Protection (EOP) service to add protection against previously unknown malware, and augments EOP and Office 365 ProPlus to protect against malicious URLs; licensed via User SLs (Subscription Licenses)

A set of features licensed through Office 365 Advanced Compliance that enable customers to individually approve or deny requests for access to their Office 365 data by Microsoft administrators.

Suites of Office 365 online services and on-premises server use rights important to large businesses, providing cost benefits compared to purchasing separately; licensed via User SLs (Subscription Licenses).

Illustration summarizes the contents of Office 365 Enterprise E1, E3, and E5 suites.

A suite of client applications for PCs, Macs, phones, and tablets licensed Per-User via User SLs (Subscription Licenses).

A central console used to investigate the scope, nature, and origin of attacks and suspicious activity; licensed via User SLs (Subscription Licenses).

Outlines major licensing and packaging changes to Office 365 ProPlus, Office Professional Plus, Office Standard, Office for Mac Standard, Office Online Server, and Office Web Apps Server.

An online service that observes Office 365 user activity and infers relationships among users and their content; used in the background by some Office 365 features and licensed via purchase of online services that use it.

Allows a single instance of an Office desktop application or suite to offer features such as menus and dialogs, grammar and spell checking, and sorting for multiple different languages; use rights included with Office 2016 suites.

Server software that enables browser-based viewing and limited editing of Excel, OneNote, PowerPoint, and Word documents; some functions licensed with User SLs or Office and SA. Successor to Office Web Apps Server.

Illustration compares application components in Office Professional Plus and Office Standard across versions 2010 through 2019.

Client application suite for Windows PCs that combines Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Publisher, and Word; licensed on the Desktop Applications License Model.

Server software that enables browser-based viewing and limited editing of Excel, OneNote, PowerPoint, and Word documents; in some scenarios, use is free, in others, Office suite (Per-Device) licenses or User SLs are required. Replaced by Office Online Server.

Generally understood to mean the physical buildings an organization owns or leases to conduct its day-to-day business. See synonym premises for in-depth entry.

Application for free-form information gathering (including note-taking) and multi-user collaboration available on client devices and platforms including Windows client OS, Mac, Android and iOS mobile devices, and Web browsers.

Outlines major licensing and packaging changes to online services suites sold as User SLs (Subscription Licenses), including Office 365 Enterprise suites and Enterprise Mobility + Security suites.

Predecessor to Online Services Terms, a repository for certain types of information specific to online service licenses acquired through volume licensing programs. See Online Services Terms (OST) for in-depth entry.

Bundles several Azure hosted services to provide a less expensive alternative to separate subscriptions for managing hosted and on-premises compute resources; also includes some rights to manage systems with System Center.

Operating system environment is an operating system instance running on either a physical device, virtual machine, or hardware partition.

Is a Windows desktop application commonly used with Exchange Server and Exchange Online.See Outlook client.

Is a browser based-client included with Exchange Server and Exchange Online.Formerly Outlook Web App; see Outlook client.

Is a browser based-client included with Exchange Server and Exchange Online (full name: Outlook Web App); renamed Outlook on the Web; see Outlook client.

A license model used for SQL Server and BizTalk Server; use of the product is covered by purchasing a license for each physical core in a server or licenses based on the processing resources allocated to each VM (virtual machine) or container.

A license model used for older versions of SQL Server and a few other server-based applications; use of the product covered by purchasing a license for each physical processor in a server or licenses based on the processing resources allocated to a Virtual OSE.

A hosted public exchange (PBX) service that augments Skype for Business Online and Teams with traditional PBX capabilities, such as call forwarding and delegation; licensed predominantly via User SLs.

Generally understood to mean the physical buildings an organization owns or leases to conduct its day-to-day business. See synonym premises for in-depth entry.

An online service for organizing and tracking small projects; licensed through Office 365 Enterprise suites.

Describes a license that allows a customer to use the associated software on more than one OS platform; commonly used to license Office for Mac Standard.

A laptop or tablet on which products licensed under the Desktop Applications License Model can, under certain circumstances, be locally installed without requiring its own device-based license.

A free-to-download Windows desktop report design tool that is the primary method for creating reports shared in the Power BI backend services: Power BI Pro, Power BI Premium, and Power BI Report Server.

An online service for publishing, distributing, and rendering reports; licensed primarily on a capacity basis.

A component of SQL Server that enables customers to host and share Power BI content on-premises and reduces the need to license individual users; licensed via Power BI Premium subscriptions or SQL Server Enterprise core licenses.

Application for creating slide-based presentations available on client devices and platforms including Windows client OS, Mac, Android and iOS mobile devices, and Web browsers; typically licensed as part of an Office suite.

Support offering for EA (Enterprise Agreement) customers to provide critical and important security updates and bulletins for 2008 and later versions of SQL Server and Windows Server once they left Extended Support. Launched in 2017 and replaced by Extended Security Updates in 2018.

A type of CAL (Client Access License) that covers access to certain advanced or niche server features. See synonym Additive CAL for in-depth entry.

A user who uses a licensed device more than 50% of the time in any 90-day period; has licensing implications for Office client applications and Windows client OSs.

Circuitry fabricated on a single physical chip that processes the instructions, mostly encoded in software, that drive a computing device.

Generally used to describe any on-premises or online service offering sold to customers.

A unique 25-character alphanumeric code required to complete activation of traditional on-premises products using KMS Activation, MAK Activation, and AD Activation

An attribute defined in the Product Terms for most license SKUs that can influence the price discounts a volume licensing program customer receives for that product.

The main repository for rules governing product licenses acquired through volume licensing programs and by far the most frequently consulted licensing-related text.

Describes software and online services used to run an organization’s internal day-to-day operations, including disaster recovery and backup, but not for solutions development and test, problem diagnosis and resolution, demonstration, or evaluation.

Umbrella term used to refer to client applications, server applications, and hosted services for project management.

Project and portfolio management client application for Windows PCs licensed via User SLs (Subscription Licenses); renamed Project Online Desktop Client in Aug. 2016; see Project Online for in-depth entry.

A Windows Server-based server application for managing project schedules and resource data, reporting time and status, and analyzing an organization's projects; licensed under the Server/CAL License Model.

Lower end edition of Windows client application for project managers; lacks the project sharing and collaboration features of Project Professional; licensed Per-Device under the Desktop Applications License Model.

Prior to July 2015, one of two main documents (the other being the Product List) that contained rules governing product licenses acquired through volume licensing programs; replaced by Product Terms but still valuable for researching rules for non-current product versions

Term used to describe people who make significant use of Microsoft software or online services to perform work on behalf of an organization; term is a major factor in determining the quantity of Enterprise Online Service subscriptions EA customers are obligated to purchase.

OS types, versions, and editions eligible for upgrade via Windows Pro Upgrade and Windows Enterprise Per Device licenses purchased through volume licensing programs.

A feature of Windows Server’s RDS (Remote Desktop Services) that maps a user’s remote connection request to the appropriate session desktop or virtual desktop hosted on a server. See synonym Remote Desktop Connection Broker for in-depth entry.

A feature for hosting session desktops, formerly known as Terminal Services, that is built into Windows Server’s RDS (Remote Desktop Services) component. See synonym Remote Desktop Session Host for in-depth entry.

This Windows Server role (previously called Terminal Services) allows users to interact over a network with session desktops and virtual desktops (sometimes called VDI), the two types of server-based desktop architectures; licensed with its own unique CAL (Client Access License).

A feature for hosting session desktops, formerly known as Terminal Services, that is built into Windows Server’s RDS (Remote Desktop Services) component. See synonym Remote Desktop Session Host for in-depth entry.

The ability to move a product license between devices or users after the license has already been assigned.

Refers to the right for users, under certain circumstances, to use some other client device to connect to their Windows client OS-licensed PC through the Internet. See synonym Remote use for in-depth entry.

A feature of Windows Server’s RDS (Remote Desktop Services) that maps a user’s remote connection request to the appropriate session desktop or virtual desktop hosted on a server; licensed via RDS CALs and External Connectors

A Windows Server role (previously called Terminal Services) that allows users to interact over a network with session desktops and virtual desktops (sometimes called VDI), the two types of server-based desktop architectures. See synonym RDS for in-depth entry.

A feature of Windows Server’s RDS (Remote Desktop Services) used to assign virtual desktops to users, load the associated VMs (virtual machines) onto server hosts, and help users connect; licensed via RDS CALs and External Connectors.

A feature of RDS (Remote Desktop Services) that allows Windows client applications running on a Windows Server machine to interact with a user’s local desktop in a manner that is almost indistinguishable from locally installed applications.

A Windows Server role that encrypts e-mails, files, and other content to prevent access by unauthorized users, including content moved to an unsecured file sharing service or shared by e-mail; licensed by Windows Server Additive CALs (Client Access Licenses).

Software loaded into memory and executing. See synonym instance for in-depth entry.

Some form of special use right, rule exception, or other item of value bundled as part of SA (Software Assurance).

A name often given to a CAL that covers access to the main features of a matching server-based product, but not to certain advanced or niche features. See synonym Standard CAL for in-depth entry.

A Web-based console licensed by Office 365 Enterprise suites for managing security and compliance-related functions, such as data loss prevention, eDiscovery, and retention; licensed as part of Office 365 Enterprise suites.

A product servicing model promising to deliver two new versions per year, each supported for approximately 18 months; use of these versions require active SA (Software Assurance) coverage on a preexisting perpetual license, or an ongoing subscription license. SeeSAC for in-depth entry.

A single data center or two data centers each physically located either in time zones not more than four hours apart or within the EU or EFTA.

Architectures that allow a wide variety of client devices to display Windows client applications and OS user interface without having to install and run Windows-based applications or OSEs (Operating System environments) locally.

Organization that offers its customers access to services built (at least in part) on Microsoft software; often requires special licensing via a SPLA (Services Provider License Agreement]].

Used to describe a schedule for how frequently new versions of on-premises product software will be released and how long they will be supported.

Shorthand for Skype for Business, on-premises and online services products providing presence, instant messaging (IM), voice and video, and application sharing capabilities. See Skype for Business Server and Skype for Business Online for in-depth entries.

A discontinued server application based on SharePoint Server that delivered file sharing and team collaboration for small organizations and was licensed free with Windows Server.

A Windows Server-based server application that delivers file sharing, team collaboration, corporate portal hosting, enterprise search, content management, Web-based reporting, and other collaboration features; licensed under the Server/CAL License Model.

A SKU (stock keeping unit) uniquely identifies a specific type of license for a Microsoft product.

Microsoft’s family of on-premises server, online services, and clients that provide presence, instant messaging (IM), voice and video, application sharing, and telephony capabilities.

An online service that provides presence, instant messaging (IM), voice and video, and desktop and application sharing; licensed via User SLs (Subscription Licenses).

A service that augments Phone System by providing domestic and international calling minutes; licensed via its own separate User SL. Renamed; see Calling Plan for in-depth entry.

Used to pay for telephony-related services not covered by Phone System or Audio Conferencing User SLs. Renamed; see Communication Credits for in-depth entry.

Illustration outlines the technical features licensed by the Skype for Business Server Standard, Enterprise, and Plus CALs (Client Access Licenses).

A service that augments Skype for Business Online or Skype for Business Server by providing support for large meetings with up to 10,000 internal and external attendees; licensed via Office 365 Enterprise suites.

Microsoft code that customers install on hardware used by the organization, or within VMs (virtual machines) at a service provider such as Microsoft’s own Azure.

Secure Productive Enterprise (SPE) combined User SLs (Subscription Licenses) for Windows Enterprise, Office 365 Enterprise suites, and Enterprise Mobility + Security suites. Renamed; see Microsoft 365 Enterprise.

A server-based product that provides database management, integration services, reporting (including Power BI Report Server), analysis services, and machine learning components; licensed under various licensing models depending on version and edition.

Summary of SA (Software Assurance) benefits associated with SQL Server, organized by high and low value benefits

Outlines major changes to SQL Server’s license model and rules, edition lineup, and pricing

A name often given to a CAL that covers access to the main features of a matching server product, but not to certain advanced or niche features.

A stock keeping unit uniquely identifies a specific type of license for a Microsoft product. See synonym SKU for in-depth entry.

A video-hosting and -sharing online service set to eventually replace Office 365 Video; mainly licensed through Office 365 Enterprise suites.

A collection of related licenses for products sold together at a discount.

A family of on-premises management and security products use for computer configuration, monitoring, virtualization, backup, software deployment and installation, and other administrative tasks; licensed under the Management Servers License Model.

A Windows Server-based management application that automates software deployment and patching, hardware and software inventorying, and compliance with configuration policies; licensed under the Management Servers License Model via System Center Server MLs and Client MLs.

Protects Windows Server, Windows client OS, macOS, and Linux computers against viruses, worms, Trojans, adware, and spyware; licensed under the Management Servers License Model via System Center Server MLs and client User SLs (Subscription Licenses) or Device SLs

A Windows Server-based management application that monitors hardware, OS, and apps, and automatically takes corrective action or helps identify the root cause of a problem; licensed under the Management Servers License Model via System Center Server MLs and Client MLs.

Summary of SA (Software Assurance) benefits associated with System Center products, organized by high and low value benefits

Outlines major changes to System Center’s license model and rules, edition lineup, and pricing

A Windows Server-based server application that provides source code control, project and build management, test execution, and centralized storage for collaborative software development; licensed under a somewhat modified Server/CAL License Model. See Visual Studio Team Foundation Server for in-depth entry.

An online service that provides group-based collaboration spaces by bringing together features from multiple Office 365 services into an integrated user experience; licensed as part of Office 365 Enterprise suites.

A Windows Server-based server application that provides source code control, project and build management, test execution, and centralized storage for collaborative software development; licensed under a somewhat modified Server/CAL License Model. See Visual Studio Team Foundation Server for in-depth entry.

This SA (Software Assurance) benefit provides a selection of 1-5 day courses for IT pros and developers conducted at MS Learning partner locations.

This SA (Software Assurance) benefit provides the right to deploy new product versions that become available during the term of SA coverage. See synonym new version rights for in-depth entry.

Provides the right for an individual to use any device to access all running instances of a particular server-based product deployed by the customer’s organization.

Provides the (non-perpetual) right for a user to access a particular online service, server-based product, or Windows client OS, typically from any device.

Provides the (non-perpetual) right for a user to access a particular online service, server-based product, or Windows client OS, typically from any device. See synonym User SL for in-depth entry.

A Per-Device subscription license allowing a client device to be used by any user to access Windows Client OSs running within server-hosted virtual desktops, and to install and run Windows Enterprise locally on most Windows-capable devices.

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure is most often used to refer to virtual desktops running the Windows client OS in VMs (virtual machines); sometimes used more broadly to describe any server-based desktop architecture or infrastructure.

A form of substitution, whereby a customer owning a license for a specific version and edition of a product deploys an older version of the same (or equivalent) edition instead.

A unit of processing power allocated to a VM (virtual machine); sometimes relevant under the Per Core License Model.

A Per-Device or Per-User subscription that licenses access to Windows Client OSs running within server-hosted virtual desktops and in many cases also allows local use of Windows Enterprise on client devices. See VDA for in-depth entry.

Software component that emulates the CPU, memory, and other hardware of a computer; see VM for a detailed entry

A line of software and online services for creating and sharing business and technical diagrams, such as network diagrams and office layouts.

Tool for viewing and creating business and technical diagrams, such as flowcharts, organization charts, and office layouts; delivered as both a browser-based and Windows-based application and licensed via User SLs. Renamed; see Visio Online (Plan 2) for in-depth entry.

Lower end edition of Windows client application for viewing, creating, and modifying business and technical diagrams; licensed Per-Device under the Desktop Applications License Model.

The brand name used for both fee-based and free application development tools and related on-premises and online services offerings used to design, develop, and test commercial and in-house applications.

Outlines major licensing, packaging, and pricing changes made to Visual Studio- and MSDN- branded offerings.

The functional equivalent of the Visual Studio Professional integrated development environment (IDE) offered for free but with usage restrictions that make it unsuitable for most midsize and large organizations’ purposes.

Licenses (mostly) non-production use of Microsoft products; targets developers requiring the most advanced debugging, diagnostics, testing, modeling, and lab management capabilities, and applications developers leveraging server-based software besides SQL Server.

A family of three free development tools, each providing a subset of Visual Studio Professional functionality; being phased out with Microsoft recommending use of Visual Studio Community instead.

A discontinued MSDN offering targeting high-end development; replaced by Visual Studio Enterprise Subscription.

Licenses non-production use of a broad array of Microsoft products; targets developers who do not require the advanced debugging, diagnostics, testing, architecture and modeling, and lab management capabilities unique to the Visual Studio Enterprise IDE.

Windows Server-based server software that provides source code control, project and build management, test execution, and centralized storage for collaborative application development; licensed under a somewhat modified Server/CAL License Model.

An online service that provides source code control, build management, and other Visual Studio Team Foundation Server (TFS) functionality; limited use is free, otherwise requires Per User subscriptions and monthly consumption-based fees.

Licenses testing tools along with non-production use of a broad array of Microsoft software and online services; targets personnel involved with software test planning, authoring, execution, and tracking. Renamed Apr. 2017; see Visual Studio Test Professional Subscription for in-depth entry.

Illustration compares development and test tools, OSs, application software, online services, and other benefits included with editions of Visual Studio with MSDN.

Allows administrators to monitor products activated with AD Activation, KMS (Key Management Service), or MAK (Multiple Activation Key).

The brand name used for both fee-based and free software development tools and related on-premises and online services offerings used to design, develop, and test commercial and in-house applications. See Visual Studio for in-depth entry.

Microsoft’s family of OS (operating system) offerings, specifically Windows Server for server hardware, and Windows client OSs for PCs, tablets, and other client devices.

General name for Windows operating system editions used by organizations on client PCs or within virtual desktops.

Outlines major modifications to the Windows client OS’s license model and rules, edition and SKU lineup, and other changes.

The highest (most feature-laden) edition of the Windows client OS; distributed exclusively through volume licensing programs with both Per-Device and Per-User licensing options available.

Flowchart illustrates the ways an organization can acquire the right to install and run Windows Enterprise edition locally on an end-user’s PC or Mac.

A Per-User subscription that allows an individual user to install and run Windows Enterprise edition on most Windows-capable client devices as well as access a Windows Client OS running within server-hosted virtual desktops.

Table compares use rights and rules for a Windows Enterprise User SL (Subscription License) and a VDA User SL purchased via an EA (Enterprise Agreement), Select Plus contract, or MPSA (Microsoft Product and Services Agreement)

An edition of Windows 10 designed for compute-intensive workloads that sits between Windows Pro and Windows Enterprise in the edition line-up; distributed exclusively through retail and OEM channels.

A Per-Device license providing the right to install and run on the PC (or Mac) the latest version of Windows Pro as of the time of license purchase.

Illustration outlines the technical features licensed by each of the three Windows Server-related CALs (Client Access Licenses) associated with versions 2019, 2016, 2012 R2, and 2012.

A Windows Server role that encrypts e-mails, files, and other types of content to prevent access by unauthorized users, including content moved to an unsecured file sharing service or shared by e-mail; See: RMS for a detailed entry.

Outlines major changes to Windows Server’s license model and rules, edition lineup, and pricing

A Windows client OS feature that enables running Windows Enterprise from portable media such as USB storage drives; licensed via Windows Enterprise and VDA (Virtual Desktop Access) licenses.

Word processor application available on client devices and platforms including Windows client OS, Mac, Android and iOS mobile devices, and Web browsers; typically licensed as part of an Office suite.

An online service designed to help organizations improve overall productivity by analyzing how employees spend their time; licensed via User SLs (Subscription Licenses).