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.

Server software components that customers deploying server products can install and run on devices for free.

Technology that gives administrators more control over the configuration of PCs via Group Policy; licensed with MDOP (Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack).

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 that enables meeting attendees to call in to Skype for Business meetings when they are unable to attend online; users scheduling or hosting such meetings 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 Windows Server server-side licenses and SQL Server core licenses that waives certain Azure-related fees for comparable workloads hosted in Azure.

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 type of CAL (Client Access License) that covers access to the main features of a matching server-based product, but not access to certain advanced or niche features.

A compact self-contained server, usually on its own circuit board, that fits into an enclosure shared with other blades; treated as a freestanding server for licensing purposes.

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

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

Provides the right for a device or user to access all running instances of a particular server product deployed for the customer’s organization. See acronym CAL for in-depth entry.

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.

A collection of six client-side licenses for accessing Microsoft server software.

Outlines major changes to the Core CAL Suite’s content 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; being 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.

A compliance feature built into and licensed as part of various online services and on-premises products that helps minimize the likelihood that sensitive information leaks outside an organization via e-mail and document sharing.

A broad brand for social networking and document discovery features in Office 365; licensed through Office 365 Enterprise suites.

A Per-Device License model applicable to the Windows Pro Upgrade and to Windows Enterprise Per Device licenses purchased without SA (Software Assurance).

A license model exclusive to Visual Studio and MSDN offerings that generally requires a license for each user who accesses the included software and online services.

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

A SA (Software Assurance) benefit offered for most on-premises server licenses that waives the need to license backup servers used for disaster recovery in some scenarios.

A form of substitution, whereby a customer owning a license for a specific product edition deploys a different, generally lower-level edition instead.

A family of online services and on-premises products that provide customer relationship management (CRM) and enterprise resource planning (ERP) functionality.

Set of online services that provide customer relationship management (CRM), sales management, enterprise resource planning (ERP), retail, and human resources (HR) functionality; packaged as Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement and Dynamics 365 Unified Operations and licensed primarily via User SLs.

A Windows Server-based server application, formerly called Dynamics AX Server, that delivers enterprise resource planning (ERP) capabilities, tailored for multinational midmarket organizations; licensed under the Server/CAL License Model and listed in the Product Terms under Dynamics 365 On-Premises.

On-premises server software, Dynamics 365 Server and Dynamics 365 for Operations Server, that deliver customer relationship management (CRM), sales management, and enterprise resource planning (ERP) functionality; licensed under the Server/CAL License Model.

A Windows Server-based server application, previously called Dynamics CRM Server, that delivers customer relationship management (CRM), sales, and service capabilities; licensed under the Server/CAL License Model and grouped under the Dynamics 365 On-Premises packaging.

Online service providing enterprise resource planning (ERP) functionality previously packaged in Dynamics AX Online; licensed primarily via User SLs (Subscription Licenses) and Device SLs.

A legacy Windows Server-based enterprise resource planning (ERP) platform tailored for multinational midmarket organizations; primarily licensed under the Server/CAL License Model. The application’s successor is Dynamics 365 for Operations Server, which is included under the category of Dynamics 365 On-Premises.

The previous name for Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement, an online service that delivers customer relationship management, sales, and service capabilities; licensed primarily via User SLs (Subscription Licenses); now packaged as part of Dynamics 365 Enterprise Edition.

A SA (Software Assurance) benefit that provides self-paced online courses targeted at end users and IT professionals.

A collection of client-side licenses for accessing Microsoft server software that is a superset of the Core CAL Suite. See synonym Enterprise CAL Suite for in-depth entry.

Used to distinguish the various SKUs within a product line, with differences including technical features, price, and occasionally use rights and license model.

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. See the in-depth entry Enterprise Mobility + Security.

A collection of client-side licenses for accessing Microsoft server software that is a superset of the Core CAL Suite.

Outlines major changes to the Enterprise CAL Suite’s content and pricing.

Technology that enables organizations to centrally define and distribute VMs (virtual machines) to PCs; licensed with MDOP (Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack).

Illustration summarizes the various Add-on options for the Enterprise Mobility + Security suites, including their prerequisites and contents.

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. Renamed; see Enterprise Mobility + Security for in-depth entry.

An online service that filters incoming and outgoing e-mail for malware and spam, is included as a built-in feature of Exchange Online, and is available for Exchange Server installations. See Exchange Online Protection (EOP) for in-depth entry.

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 that augments the Exchange Online Protection service to provide additional protection against previously unknown malware, malicious URLs, and other types of threats. Renamed; see Office 365 Advanced Threat Protection for in-depth entry.

An online service that filters incoming and outgoing e-mail for malware and spam, is included as a built-in feature of Exchange Online, and is available for Exchange Server installations.

Illustration outlines the technical features licensed by the Exchange Server Standard CAL (Client Access License) and Enterprise CAL; covers versions 2016 and 2013.

Outlines major licensing and packaging changes to Exchange Server.

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).

Most often used to describe software that is loaded into memory and either executing or ready for execution.

An online service that provides antimalware, hardware and software inventory tracking, health monitoring, software updating, and policy management for PCs and mobile devices; licensed primarily via User SLs (Subscription Licenses).

Key Management Service (KMS) is an activation method that allows organizations to deploy and use on-premises servers to activate products on devices with access to the organization’s network.

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 a type of servicing model offered for some products that allows customers to defer feature upgrades to a computer for up to ten years while keeping the computer eligible for Microsoft product support. Renamed; see 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.

Technology that manages BitLocker, Microsoft's full disk encryption technology; licensed with MDOP (Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack). See BitLocker Administration and Monitoring for a detailed entry.

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.

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

New version licenses received as a benefit of SA (Software Assurance). See new version rights for in-depth entry.

A set of fee-based offerings that license a broad collection of Microsoft softwares and online services on a Per-User basis, with use generally limited to applications development and test, problem diagnosis and resolution, demonstration, and evaluation.

Per-user license covering non-production use of a broad array of Microsoft products; targets operations personnel who support developers and test labs, developers who do not need a Visual Studio IDE, and IT professionals involved with evaluation and troubleshooting.

An activation method that requires devices to connect to a Microsoft-hosted activation service to complete the product activation process. See synonym MAK for in-depth entry.

Describes architectures where server hardware at a service provider is shared among multiple customers, but in such a way that customers cannot access each other’s data.

This SA (Software Assurance) benefit provides the right to deploy new product versions that become available during the term of SA coverage.

Generally understood to mean anywhere other than the physical buildings an organization owns or leases to conduct its day-to-day business.

A set of service plans that combines Microsoft-hosted online services, such as Exchange Online e-mail, with User SLs (Subscription Licenses) to the Office suite and related software.

A set of features licensed through Office 365 Enterprise suites to reduce the volume of data lawyers must review during the discovery phase of a legal case.

An online service that provides threat detection, application control, and usage discovery to organizations using Office 365; licensed via User SLs (Subscription Licenses).

An online service designed to help users increase their productivity by better understanding how they spend their work time within Office 365. Renamed; see MyAnalytics for in-depth entry.

Illustration summarizes the various Add-on options for the Office 365 Enterprise suites, including their prerequisites and contents.

An online service that offers discussions and data sharing for Office 365 users; licensed through Office 365 Enterprise suites.

Frequently updated technical documents outlining features in Office 365 Enterprise and their constituent online services.

An online service that provides secure Microsoft-hosted portals for viewing, sharing, discussing, and discovering an organization's video content; licensed through Office 365 Enterprise suites.

Client application suite for Macs that enables document editing, communication, presentation, and related functions; licensed on the Desktop Applications License Model.

Applications for mobile devices that provide e-mail and access to Excel, OneNote, PowerPoint, and Word documents on Android, iOS, and Windows 10 devices; some forms of use are free, some require User SLs (Subscription Licenses).

An online service that enables browser-based viewing and limited editing of Excel, OneNote, PowerPoint, and Word documents; internal users licensed with User SLs or Office and SA.

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

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

Flow chart illustrates the ways an organization can acquire the right for clients to access an Offices suite installed and running within server-based desktops.

A term generally used to describe Microsoft software installed and executed on a client device or server devoted to a customer’s use.

An Office 365-branded online service that delivers file storage, sharing, and synchronization; licensed via User SLs (Subscription Licenses).

A subscription-based product offering with at least some critical component hosted in Microsoft’s data centers.

One of two main repositories of online services-related licensing information, with the other being the Product Terms

An operating system instance running on either a physical device, VM (virtual machine), or hardware partition; see synonym OSE for a detailed entry.

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 a few other server-based applications; use of the product covered by purchasing a license for each physical core in a server or licenses based on the processing resources allocated to a Virtual OSE.

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 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 provides critical and important security updates and bulletins for 2008 and later versions of SQL Server and Windows Server for up to six years beyond the conclusion of Extended Support

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.

This SA (Software Assurance) benefit provides limited break-fix phone incidents for products in Mainstream support.

A license model exclusive to Windows Server 2012 and 2012 R2 that requires at least one server-side license per physical server and CALs (Client Access Licenses) for users or client devices.

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. See synonym Activation for in-depth entry.

Prior to July 2015, one of two main documents (the other being the PUR) that contained rules governing product licenses acquired through volume licensing programs; replaced by Product Terms but still relevant for past SA license grants and other reasons.

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. See PUR for in-depth entry.

Name for Project Standard and Professional project management client applications for Windows PCs licensed under Desktop Applications License Model, but also used in other contexts.

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.

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

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

Somewhat nebulously defined by the Product Terms as a client “device that is not controlled, directly or indirectly, by Customer or its Affiliates”; phrase is a factor in Roaming Rights.

A feature of Windows Server’s RDS (Remote Desktop Services) that allows authorized individuals to use Internet-connected devices to connect to the organization’s server-based desktops or desktop PCs. See synonym Remote Desktop Gateway 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. See synonym Remote Desktop Virtualization Host for in-depth entry.

This SA (Software Assurance) benefit lets customers use RDS User CALs to license access to session desktops hosted on service providers’ multitenant servers.

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. See synonym Remote Desktop Virtualization Host for in-depth entry.

Term typically used to describe a customer’s right to overwrite a PC’s OEM-installed Windows client OS with a customized Windows Pro image built using installation media obtained through a volume licensing program.

Most often used to describe software that allows a client device to access a Windows-based desktop (OS, shell, desktop applications, user settings and preferences, etc.) hosted on a different device.

A feature of Windows Server’s RDS (Remote Desktop Services) that allows authorized individuals to use Internet-connected devices to connect to the organization’s server-based desktops or desktop PCs; licensed via RDS CALs and External Connectors.

A feature for hosting session desktops, formerly known as Terminal Services, that is built into Windows Server’s RDS (Remote Desktop Services) role; licensed via RDS CALs and External Connectors

Refers to the right for users, under certain circumstances, to use some other client device to connect to their Windows-licensed PC from across the Internet.

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; See: RMS for a detailed entry.

This SA (Software Assurance) benefit, associated with Office Professional Plus and other client products licensed Per-Device, sometimes permits users at unlicensed client devices to access server-based desktops running the product.

Software Assurance (SA) augments on-premises product licenses with rights to new versions of the licensed software, use rights that provide the most cost effective way to enable specific usage scenarios (such as virtualization), and miscellaneous benefits of modest value.

The semi-annual channel (SAC) is 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.

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.

This SA (Software Assurance) benefit permits certain on-premises server products to be used as components within a commercial hosted service.

A physical hardware device capable of running server OSs (operating systems) and applications such as Windows Server and SQL Server.

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 relatively new 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.

This SA (Software Assurance) benefit associated with System Center management licenses allows use of an online tool for monitoring of Web application availability and performance.

A free edition of Visual Studio Team Foundation Server, a Windows Server-based application lifecycle management tool for developers and testers, but with use limited to five or fewer users. See Visual Studio Team Foundation Server Express for in-depth entry.

A feature for hosting session desktops that is built into Windows Server’s RDS (Remote Desktop Services) component; renamed with introduction of Windows Server 2008 R2. See Remote Desktop Session Host for in-depth entry.

Used to distinguish various Azure branded services with differences including technical features, performance, capacity, and price.

Technology that allows users to maintain the same applications settings when using different devices, such as PCs or tablets; licensed with MDOP (Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack). See User Experience Virtualization for full entry.

A person running Microsoft software on a client device, accessing software on a server, or making use of an online service.

Technology that allows users to maintain the same applications settings when using different devices, such as PCs or tablets; licensed with MDOP (Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack).

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 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.

A Per-User subscription that allows an individual user to access Windows Client OSs running within server-hosted virtual desktops, and to install and run Windows Enterprise locally on most Windows-capable client devices.

Designates a significant release of an on-premises product; use of a newer version almost always requires an additional fee of some sort.

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 type of server-based desktop architecture where each user has a dedicated OS instance running in a VM (virtual machine) hosted on a server.

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. See synonym VDI for in-depth entry.

An OSE (operating system environment) running on a VM (virtual machine)]; see OSE for more details.

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.

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

Outlines major licensing and packaging changes to Visio-branded applications.

Summary of SA (Software Assurance) benefits associated with Visual Studio and MSDN-related licenses, organized by high and low value benefits

A cross-platform code editor with extensible support for development operations such as building and debugging applications; use is free with no restrictions against commercial use.

A Windows-based integrated development environment (IDE) used to design, develop, debug, and test commercial and in-house applications, usually running in conjunction with Microsoft software or online services; licensed as part of the Visual Studio Enterprise Subscription.

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. Renamed Apr. 2017; see Visual Studio Enterprise Subscription for in-depth entry.

An online service that provides source code control, build management, and other Visual Studio Team Foundation Server (TFS) functionality. See successor product Visual Studio Team Services for in-depth entry.

An integrated development environment (IDE) used to design, develop, debug, and test commercial and in-house applications, usually running in conjunction with Microsoft software or online services; licensed under the Developer Tools License Model.

Licenses non-production use 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. Renamed Apr. 2017; see Visual Studio Professional Subscription for in-depth entry.

A free edition of Visual Studio Team Foundation Server, a Windows Server-based application lifecycle management tool for developers and testers, but with use limited to five or fewer users.

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.

A discontinued MSDN offering targeting high-end development requiring the most advanced debugging and load and performance testing tools; replaced by Visual Studio Enterprise Subscription.

An OS (operating system) instance and applications that exhibits the behavior of a separate computer but does not require its own dedicated hardware to run.

Programs designed to make bulk purchases more practical and convenient for organizations that want to license Microsoft products for production purposes, as well as for development and testing of internal applications.

Refers to certain scenarios involving public-facing Windows Server-based websites licensed via volume licensing programs where client access is “free,” meaning neither Windows Server CALs (client access licenses) nor External Connectors are required.

An activation method specific to Windows Enterprise when licensed Per-User; use is optional except in two specific scenarios.

Illustration compares Windows client OS editions features across versions 10, 8/8.1, and 7.

An online service that adds a post-breach layer of protection to Windows 10 clients, helping to detect and remedy threats that made it past other defenses; licensed via User SLs (Subscription Licenses).

Per-Device licenses that provide the right to install and run Windows Enterprise edition on the licensed PC (or Mac); licenses with SA (Software Assurance) coverage also provide access to the OS running within server-hosted virtual desktops.

Summary of SA (Software Assurance) benefits associated with Windows Enterprise and VDA licenses, organized by high and low value benefits

Table compares use rights and rules for a Windows Enterprise Per Device license with active SA (Software Assurance) coverage and a VDA Device SL (Subscription License) purchased via an EA (Enterprise Agreement), Select Plus contract, or MPSA (Microsoft Product and Services Agreement)

The lowest-level Windows client OS edition of relevance to organization customers; licensed Per-Device.

A Per-Device perpetual license for Windows Pro that comes with new PCs; the main business-focused Windows client OS edition available through the OEM channel.

A server OS (operating system) licensed under a Core/CAL License Model or Processor/CAL License Model that is a prerequisite for all Microsoft server-based applications.

Illustration compares Windows Server Standard and Datacenter edition features across versions 2016, 2012 R2, and 2012.

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

A small-footprint OS that enables existing Windows PCs to be repurposed as thin client devices; licensed via Windows Enterprise and VDA (Virtual Desktop Access) licenses.

Flowchart illustrates the ways an organization can acquire the right to host Windows client OS-based virtual desktops on on-premises servers and make them accessible to users.

Discounted Office and Office for Mac Standard licenses for certain customers of those suites.