Licensing Windows for Virtual Desktops

Many organizations provide server-based desktops by installing and running a Windows OS in virtual machines (VMs) on servers. Two options for licensing the Windows client OS for server-based desktops—Per-Device and Per-User—have different rules and, therefore, different advantages. A third option implements server-based desktops using the Windows Server OS in VMs and leverages Windows Server Datacenter edition. A mix of the three options may be needed to maintain compliance in the OS layer of a server-based desktop solution, while minimizing licensing costs.

Windows Client OS as a Virtual Desktop

When a Windows client OS—specifically, Windows Pro or Windows Enterprise editions—is used as a virtual desktop, a customer has the choice to license each device used to access a virtual desktop, each user connecting to a virtual desktop, or some combination of the two approaches. Both approaches rely on a subscription license to install and use the Windows client OS. Despite the fact that virtual desktops are installed and executed on a server, no form of server-side license (related to Windows Pro or Windows Enterprise) is required. The Per-Device and Per-User client-side licenses cover the installation and execution of Windows Pro or Enterprise within the VMs on the server.