"We've just made it easier to avoid noncompliance"
How nice of MS ...
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
We've just made it easier to
avoid noncompliance. Windows
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Starting in October 2005, Microsoft is removing the full MicrosoftR WindowsR
desktop operating system bits from the CDs in both the standard Volume
Licensing Welcome and Comprehensive kits. Going forward, upgrade CDs will
contain only those bits necessary to perform upgrades to properly licensed
PCs. In addition, customers will be provided with two new options to obtain
the full operating system bits.
Introducing a new process designed to help clarify Windows licensing.
Although your Volume License agreement only provides an upgrade license for
the Windows desktop operating system, Volume License upgrade CDs currently
include the full operating system bits. This practice has led many volume
license holders to mistakenly believe, in good faith, that their agreement
covers the full underlying license for Windows.
In an effort to correct this misperception, the full operating system bits
will soon be removed from upgrade CDs provided to Volume License customers
so that they will, in fact, be upgrade CDs. You can obtain the full Windows
desktop operating system software one of two ways: either online via
download from the Microsoft Volume Licensing site upon acknowledging that
your organization is properly licensed for Windows, or by ordering a
full-installation CD from your reseller.
Windows XP Professional Upgrade License: New Software Distribution Process
in Volume Licensing
Published: May 12, 2005 | Updated: July 11, 2005
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1d3fa7/os_reqs.doc>
65 KB
Microsoft Word file
Updated: May 1, 2005
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There is currently a misperception that the upgrade license agreements for
Microsoft Windows XP Professional provide a full and initial license for the
Windows desktop operating system. This is incorrect; the Windows XP
Professional upgrade license is for upgrades only.
To provide clarity and help customers avoid inadvertent noncompliance with
their Volume Licensing agreements, Microsoft will be removing the full
Windows desktop operating system (OS) software bits from the Volume
Licensing Welcome and Comprehensive Kit CDs. Beginning in October 2005, the
full Windows OS bits will be replaced with Windows OS upgrade software bits.
Customers will then be able to choose from the following ways to obtain the
full desktop OS software bits:
.
Download the software bits from the Microsoft
<https://licensing.microsoft.com/eLicense/L1033/Default.asp> Volume
Licensing Services Web Site (MVLS)
.
Order a CD from your reseller
The Volume Licensing agreement and the Windows XP Professional upgrade
license product use rights will not change. Customers will still be able to
acquire the full Windows operating system software bits via download or by
ordering a separate CD.
We understand this is an extra step, but we hope that the reduced risk of
noncompliance gives customers peace of mind in knowing their companies are
properly licensed.
<http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/highlights/osbits.mspx#top> Top of
pageTop of <http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/highlights/osbits.mspx#top>
page
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What specifically is changing about the Volume Licensing Windows desktop
upgrade CDs?
A. Microsoft is removing the full Windows desktop operating system bits from
the CDs in the standard Volume Licensing Welcome Kits and Comprehensive
Kits. Under the Volume License agreements, customers will now receive CDs
that include upgrade bits instead. Full desktop operating system bits will
still be available to Enterprise Agreement and Select License customers via
download or by ordering a CD.
Q. Why is Microsoft removing the media that includes the full Windows
operating system bits from the Welcome and Comprehensive Kits?
A. We have learned that many people are confused about what is covered under
the Volume Licensing agreement and that there is a misperception that Volume
Licensing agreements cover the full Windows desktop operating system.
Because Volume Licensing Welcome and Comprehensive Kits have included
software bits for the full Windows operating system, customers could
inadvertently install the full Windows operating system software bits on an
unlicensed PC. As a result, customers become noncompliant under their Volume
Licensing agreement.
Q. Will there be a fee charged if customers order the Windows desktop OS
media that includes the full software bits?
A. The fee will be the same as that charged for fulfillment CDs today. The
Windows XP Professional Upgrade CD, which is included in the initial welcome
kit, will be included at no charge. For Select License and Enterprise
Agreement customers, the full desktop OS software bits will also be
available at no charge via download on the Microsoft Volume Licensing
Services Web site.
Q. Will the full desktop OS bits be available for download from the eOpen
Web site?
A. There is currently no download capability from the eOpen Web site. Open
License and Open License Value customers may continue to order CDs as they
do today.
Q. Will this change also affect Microsoft Windows 2000 and earlier versions
of the operating system?
A. Both the Windows XP Professional and the Windows 2000 Professional CDs
that contain the full software bits will have a sticker on them to inform
customers of restricted use of the full software bits.
Q. How will this change affect the cross-language and the downgrade rights
that Volume Licensing customers currently have?
A. There will be no change to the downgrade, cross-language, or any other
use rights currently offered. The only change is to the process for
receiving full bits for the Windows desktop operating system.
Q. Can customers still perform upgrades and re-imaging on licensed PCs?
A. Yes, as long as the PCs are properly licensed for an underlying,
qualifying desktop operating system. The terms of the Volume Licensing
agreement and the Windows XP Professional upgrade license product use rights
will not change.
Q. Does this change affect the Public Sector/Academic agreements?
A. This change will affect all Volume Licensing programs, including Public
Sector/Academic. Like other Volume Licensing agreements, the Public
Sector/Academic Volume Licensing agreement does not cover the full Windows
desktop operating system; it covers upgrades only.
Q. Does this change also affect other software covered under Volume
Licensing agreements, such as Microsoft Office?
A. No. The full version of Office is available under a Volume Licensing
agreement. The Windows desktop operating system is unique in that the full
version is not sold under any Volume License agreement. As a result,
customers are at risk of noncompliance if they believe their Volume License
covers the full Windows operating system.
Q. How can customers obtain a license for the full Windows operating system?
A. There are two ways to obtain a full Windows desktop operating system
license: from a PC manufacturer or through a retail version of Full Packaged
Product (FPP). Acquiring Windows preinstalled on a PC is the most
cost-effective way of obtaining the full Windows desktop operating system
license.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
How nice of MS ...
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
We've just made it easier to
avoid noncompliance. Windows
<http://response.microsoft.com/p/100010/101171/msx50336_tdme_winlogo.gif>
<http://response.microsoft.com/p/100010/101171/msx50336_tdme_spacer.gif>
<http://response.microsoft.com/p/100010/101171/msx50336_tdme_spacer.gif>
Starting in October 2005, Microsoft is removing the full MicrosoftR WindowsR
desktop operating system bits from the CDs in both the standard Volume
Licensing Welcome and Comprehensive kits. Going forward, upgrade CDs will
contain only those bits necessary to perform upgrades to properly licensed
PCs. In addition, customers will be provided with two new options to obtain
the full operating system bits.
Introducing a new process designed to help clarify Windows licensing.
Although your Volume License agreement only provides an upgrade license for
the Windows desktop operating system, Volume License upgrade CDs currently
include the full operating system bits. This practice has led many volume
license holders to mistakenly believe, in good faith, that their agreement
covers the full underlying license for Windows.
In an effort to correct this misperception, the full operating system bits
will soon be removed from upgrade CDs provided to Volume License customers
so that they will, in fact, be upgrade CDs. You can obtain the full Windows
desktop operating system software one of two ways: either online via
download from the Microsoft Volume Licensing site upon acknowledging that
your organization is properly licensed for Windows, or by ordering a
full-installation CD from your reseller.
Windows XP Professional Upgrade License: New Software Distribution Process
in Volume Licensing
Published: May 12, 2005 | Updated: July 11, 2005
*
<http://www.microsoft.com/library/gallery/templates/MNP2.Common/images/l_cor
ner.gif> *
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ner.gif>
Download
<http://download.microsoft.com/download/1/4/4/14441b37-78ff-4b60-b726-6d91f8
1d3fa7/os_reqs.doc> Download os_reqs.doc
<http://download.microsoft.com/download/1/4/4/14441b37-78ff-4b60-b726-6d91f8
1d3fa7/os_reqs.doc>
65 KB
Microsoft Word file
Updated: May 1, 2005
Get <http://office.microsoft.com/assistance/9798/viewerscvt.aspx> Office
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Related Links
. Get the Benefits of Genuine <http://wwww.microsoft.com/genuine>
Windows Software
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orner.gif>
There is currently a misperception that the upgrade license agreements for
Microsoft Windows XP Professional provide a full and initial license for the
Windows desktop operating system. This is incorrect; the Windows XP
Professional upgrade license is for upgrades only.
To provide clarity and help customers avoid inadvertent noncompliance with
their Volume Licensing agreements, Microsoft will be removing the full
Windows desktop operating system (OS) software bits from the Volume
Licensing Welcome and Comprehensive Kit CDs. Beginning in October 2005, the
full Windows OS bits will be replaced with Windows OS upgrade software bits.
Customers will then be able to choose from the following ways to obtain the
full desktop OS software bits:
.
Download the software bits from the Microsoft
<https://licensing.microsoft.com/eLicense/L1033/Default.asp> Volume
Licensing Services Web Site (MVLS)
.
Order a CD from your reseller
The Volume Licensing agreement and the Windows XP Professional upgrade
license product use rights will not change. Customers will still be able to
acquire the full Windows operating system software bits via download or by
ordering a separate CD.
We understand this is an extra step, but we hope that the reduced risk of
noncompliance gives customers peace of mind in knowing their companies are
properly licensed.
<http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/highlights/osbits.mspx#top> Top of
pageTop of <http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/highlights/osbits.mspx#top>
page
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What specifically is changing about the Volume Licensing Windows desktop
upgrade CDs?
A. Microsoft is removing the full Windows desktop operating system bits from
the CDs in the standard Volume Licensing Welcome Kits and Comprehensive
Kits. Under the Volume License agreements, customers will now receive CDs
that include upgrade bits instead. Full desktop operating system bits will
still be available to Enterprise Agreement and Select License customers via
download or by ordering a CD.
Q. Why is Microsoft removing the media that includes the full Windows
operating system bits from the Welcome and Comprehensive Kits?
A. We have learned that many people are confused about what is covered under
the Volume Licensing agreement and that there is a misperception that Volume
Licensing agreements cover the full Windows desktop operating system.
Because Volume Licensing Welcome and Comprehensive Kits have included
software bits for the full Windows operating system, customers could
inadvertently install the full Windows operating system software bits on an
unlicensed PC. As a result, customers become noncompliant under their Volume
Licensing agreement.
Q. Will there be a fee charged if customers order the Windows desktop OS
media that includes the full software bits?
A. The fee will be the same as that charged for fulfillment CDs today. The
Windows XP Professional Upgrade CD, which is included in the initial welcome
kit, will be included at no charge. For Select License and Enterprise
Agreement customers, the full desktop OS software bits will also be
available at no charge via download on the Microsoft Volume Licensing
Services Web site.
Q. Will the full desktop OS bits be available for download from the eOpen
Web site?
A. There is currently no download capability from the eOpen Web site. Open
License and Open License Value customers may continue to order CDs as they
do today.
Q. Will this change also affect Microsoft Windows 2000 and earlier versions
of the operating system?
A. Both the Windows XP Professional and the Windows 2000 Professional CDs
that contain the full software bits will have a sticker on them to inform
customers of restricted use of the full software bits.
Q. How will this change affect the cross-language and the downgrade rights
that Volume Licensing customers currently have?
A. There will be no change to the downgrade, cross-language, or any other
use rights currently offered. The only change is to the process for
receiving full bits for the Windows desktop operating system.
Q. Can customers still perform upgrades and re-imaging on licensed PCs?
A. Yes, as long as the PCs are properly licensed for an underlying,
qualifying desktop operating system. The terms of the Volume Licensing
agreement and the Windows XP Professional upgrade license product use rights
will not change.
Q. Does this change affect the Public Sector/Academic agreements?
A. This change will affect all Volume Licensing programs, including Public
Sector/Academic. Like other Volume Licensing agreements, the Public
Sector/Academic Volume Licensing agreement does not cover the full Windows
desktop operating system; it covers upgrades only.
Q. Does this change also affect other software covered under Volume
Licensing agreements, such as Microsoft Office?
A. No. The full version of Office is available under a Volume Licensing
agreement. The Windows desktop operating system is unique in that the full
version is not sold under any Volume License agreement. As a result,
customers are at risk of noncompliance if they believe their Volume License
covers the full Windows operating system.
Q. How can customers obtain a license for the full Windows operating system?
A. There are two ways to obtain a full Windows desktop operating system
license: from a PC manufacturer or through a retail version of Full Packaged
Product (FPP). Acquiring Windows preinstalled on a PC is the most
cost-effective way of obtaining the full Windows desktop operating system
license.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]