Per-User Licensing Option Available for Windows

Starting Dec. 2014, volume licensing customers can license Windows on a Per-User subscription basis as an alternative to the existing Per-Device approach, which continues with slight modification. The new option is of greatest interest to organizations deploying a virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI). It is also of possible interest to Enterprise Agreement customers with more devices than users. However, whether licensing Windows on a Per-User basis will have a beneficial or detrimental effect on licensing costs and administrative complexity will be highly dependent upon a customer’s particular circumstances.

Per-User Supplements Per-Device Windows Licensing

Because Windows licenses sold with PC hardware come with a limited set of use rights, organizations often supplement these OEM Per-Device licenses with additional device-based Windows licenses and Software Assurance (SA) purchased through volume licensing programs. The primary benefits for doing so are VDI access rights, rights to Windows Enterprise edition, and rights to purchase Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack (MDOP) for an additional fee.