It seems obvious, right? With something so important, you need to know what you are getting. Surprisingly, your business could be settling for ?possibly? when it comes to your software licensing.
Are your desktops properly licensed?
We understand your business priorities may be changing, so we wanted to offer some helpful information on Windows® desktop licensing. We have found that many organizations may not be aware they have unlicensed Windows desktops within their organization. When you have the opportunity to assess your license situation, here are some questions to consider when determining whether your Windows desktops are properly licensed.
Volume License Confusion
Has your organization ever acquired PCs without operating systems preinstalled, and then used its Volume License Agreement to install the initial Windows license on those PCs?
If so, these PCs may be mislicensed.
Many people don?t know that there are only two legal ways to acquire a full Windows desktop license for a new PC.
- The first, and most economical way, is preinstalled through your PC manufacturer
The other option is via full packaged retail product.
Microsoft Volume Licensing programs such as Open License, Select License, and Enterprise Agreements cover Windows upgrades only and do not provide a full Windows desktop license. Once the PCs have a full Windows desktop license, a Windows Volume License agreement can be acquired and used to provide version upgrade rights.
Ineligible Operating System Upgrades
Has your organization ever acquired PCs with Windows Vista® Home versions preinstalled, and then used its Volume License Agreement to install Windows Vista Business or Windows Vista Ultimate versions on those PCs?
If so, these PCs may not be licensed correctly.
It is important to understand the qualifying Windows desktop licenses that allow your organization to use Windows upgrades under Volume Licensing. Windows Vista Home versions, as well as Windows XP Home versions, do not qualify for Volume License upgrades to Windows Vista Business, Windows Vista Ultimate, or Windows XP Professional versions. 
Counterfeit Software
Has your organization downloaded and installed software from online or unknown sources?
If so, these PCs may be running non-genuine software.
Downloading and installing software from the Internet has a high risk of being counterfeit or pirated. Web sites that offer counterfeit software have been caught downloading malicious code onto users? PCs, and expose users to identity theft as well as machine takeovers, viruses and other attacks. Even casual interaction with these Web sites is risky. Make sure you buy from only reputable sites or vendors.
Legalization Solutions
If you find you have mislicensed, unlicensed, or non-genuine Windows desktop software, there are Microsoft legalization solutions available. See the chart below for options.
Retail License?
Can be used to legalize any number of PCs, however this is not the most cost-effective solution.
Online via WGA?
Available for legalization of 5 PCs or less, this easy and convenient solution is available online for PCs that fail WGA validation.
Get Genuine Kit?
An easy solution which is available via resellers and can be used to legalize any number of PCs.
Get Genuine Windows Agreement for Small and Medium Organizations?
A Volume License legalization solution available for 5 PCs or more which can be acquired from any Volume License reseller.
Get Genuine Windows Agreement for Large Organizations?
A Volume License solution designed for companies with significant legalization needs. It requires the signing of an agreement and other compliance requirements, and can be acquired from a Microsoft Large Account Reseller.
