Updated: July 10, 2020 (April 20, 2009)
Charts & IllustrationsPurchasing Channels
The following chart compares the advantages and disadvantages of various channels for purchasing Microsoft software. It covers purchases from retail (including online) merchants, hardware manufacturers (OEMs) who may bundle Microsoft software with their computers, and Microsoft volume licensing resellers. Reimaging is the practice of overwriting a product installation with another installation that may have a different configuration and additional licensed or custom software. Large customers typically reimage new desktop computers with a standard corporate image before putting them into production.
Purchasing Channel | Advantages | Disadvantages | Channel Examples |
Retail | No downloading required
Disk available for reinstall Some products offer upgrade packages that can be purchased at any time Can easily compare prices online Can be transferred to a different computer |
Generally most expensive
Limited selection of software, particularly for servers No downgrade/reimaging |
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