Demystifying the new windows 10 licensing options kraft. For each windows license you have with software assurance, you have access to windows thin pc, a smallerfootprint, lockeddown version of windows 7. However, you will still need to account for azure compute, storage, and networking costs associated with the vdi instances in use through this program. Add the user required and ensure the role is set to assigned.
Microsoft technology, software assurance provides new software releases as they become available, provides access to unique desktop technologies including windows enterprise and the microsoft desktop optimization pack, 24x7 phone and web support, technical. Software assurance benefits are available throughout the software management life. If you cover your windows license with software assurance, then microsoft grants you the right to access a virtual desktop from that. The vda addon allows microsoft 365 e3 and e5 users to access the windows enterprise virtual desktop infrastructure vdi on dedicated servers when those users dont have a primary device with a. Licensing windows for use with virtual machines details software assurance for the windows desktop operating system, windows 10 enterprise e3e5 subscription licenses, and windows virtual desktop access vda subscription licenses provides. Microsoft windows remote desktop services user cal license.
Windows vda per device is still going to be your option to license a thin client, 3rd party owned device, or device without sa. New products and unique license rights for example, new version rights and windows virtual desktop access rights deployment resources and tools for example, license mobility through software assurance and planning services. The end point is a windows os covered by software assurance sa the end point is a non windows device or is a windows device without sa. Windows 10 enterprise with software assurance sa this is a.
For each office application you have covered with software assurance, a user of the licensed pc or device may acquire at a low cost. The right to run windows desktop operating system software in a virtual desktop infrastructure vdi solution is granted through. If you use microsoft office, project, or visio, you can remotely access your software on a virtual desktop from thirdparty devices such as a home pc, a contractorowned pc, or an internet kiosk. For more information, see office, project, and visio roaming use rights. Virtual desktop access vda directions on microsoft. Windows vda is offered per device and per user through volume.
Microsoft assurance software is a program that was introduced in 2002 to help users deploy and support microsoft windows, microsoft office and related server desktop applications. Also, samsungs dex software for mobile devices supports it for access by mobile firstline workers, according to microsofts. Volume licensing guide enrollment for education solutions ees. Windows desktop software assurance or a windows vda subscription license. Windows virtual desktop access licensing what is it. Microsoft products and services agreement mpsa if your organization has a microsoft products and services agreement mpsa, go to microsoft business center to access and start using your benefits. For the 100 pcs covered under sa, no additional licensing is required. If you cover your windows license with software assurance, then microsoft grants you the right to access a virtual desktop from that device.
Microsoft introduces peruser licensing for enterprises. Understanding microsofts new windows virtual desktop licensing with software assurance. Users licensed for windows software assurance per user or windows virtual desktop access per user may utilize windows to go on any supported device. Microsoft announced that effective december 1, 2019, microsoft will release windows virtual desktop access vda addon for microsoft 365 e3 and e5.
If the device qualifies for windows sa, that is the preferred license in a vdi scenario. Windows 10 iot thin clients can now be enrolled under microsoft software assurance instead of vda. For each office application you have covered with software assurance, a user of the licensed pc or device may acquire at a low cost one copy of that product for use at home. The reason its ludicrous i mean, less frequently used is because most small and medium businesses do not purchase software assurance for their windows pcs. Windows virtual desktop access allows a licensed device to access virtual desktop infrastructure and allows the single, primary user to remotely access their desktop from thirdparty devices such as home or contractorowned pcs. What you need to know about windows virtual desktop the shi blog. One of the most valuable benefits you receive through windows software assurance and windows virtual desktop access vda is flexible access to windows. A windows client os feature, no longer under development, that enables running windows enterprise from portable media such as usb storage drives. Microsoft volume licensing microsoft software assurance. Microsoft assurance software is a program that was introduced in 2002 to help users deploy and support microsoft windows, microsoft office and. Roaming use rights for windows allow the primary user of any device licensed for windows software assurance or windows vda to access a virtual instance of windows running in the data center vdi or windows to go from noncorporate devices, such as personally owned or hotel business center pcs, while away from the office. You qualify if you have active software assurance on your onpremises windows server licenses.
Your software assurance benefits are ready to view and use once you sign in to the business center. Windows software assurance sa and windows virtual desktop access vda are the licensing options required when accessing a windows desktop os in a vm, either locally or remotely. Windows virtual desktop in azure is licensed via active software assurance on windows 10 enterprise or the microsoft 365 e3e5 subscriptions. Windows virtualization rights and virtual desktop access vda as ufshands is a windows software assurance customers we do not need to order a separate vda for sa license in order to run and access windows 7 software in our datacenter. Licensing windows for vdi environments microsoft vdi suites and windows vda frequently asked questions how does microsoft license windows for virtual environments.
Alternatively you would need to purchase windows upgrade licenses with software assurance. Both software assurance which includes virtual desktop access and roaming use rights and windows vda which enables virtual desktop access for nonsoftware assurance and nonorganization access devices are available through all major microsoft volume licensing programs including the enterprise agreement, select plus, and open value program. This benefit allows a licensed device to access a virtual desktop infrastructure. For more information, see license mobility through software assurance.
Citrix cloud services supports the windows virtual desktop service. Microsoft software assurance, do you really need it. You may utilize windows virtual access use rights when you carry software assurance for windows on qualified devices. It lets you upgrade your windows pro oem license, purchased for a workstation, to windows enterprise, and includes all of the benefits of software assurance like rights to new versions, the microsoft desktop optimization pack mdop, and lesser known benefits such as windows to go and the windows virtual desktop access vda usage rights. Understanding microsofts new windows virtual desktop. For every qualifying license such as word or windows os covered by software assurance, one person in your organization may access elearning courses for that product. Hence, if you intend to use pcs already covered with sa to access your vdi environment, no additional licensing is required. Microsoft software assurance what it is and how it applies. Got it at my choice software and it was easy to set up. What you need to know about windows virtual desktop the shi. Virtual desktop access rights are a benefit of windows client. In summary, the windows 10 enterprise e3 in csp program is an upgrade offering that provides small and mediumsized organizations easier, more flexible access to the benefits of windows 10 enterprise edition, whereas microsoft volume licensing programs and software assurance are broader in scope and provide benefits beyond access to windows 10.
Licensing windows 10 with virtualization technologies how. Windows thin pc is useful for reducing the costs of licensing endpoint pcs because each device accesses a virtual desktop environment. Deploy a windows virtual desktop tenant in powershell. Microsoft windows virtual desktop access vda addon for. Windows server licenses are not eligible for license mobility through software assurance, but customers licensing windows server with software assurance can utilize the azure hybrid benefit for a cheaper perminute cost when running a windows virtual machine. Virtualize office 365 proplus and optimize it to run in multiuser virtual scenarios. Sep 24, 2012 to run windows virtual desktops, you needed the virtual enterprise centralized desktop vecd license, and having software assurance on top of that made virtualization a bit cheaper. These rights coterminate when the customers software assurance or vda subscription ends. Set up a multisession windows 10 deployment that delivers a full windows 10 with scalability. Each of the 100 thin clients would need a windows virtual. As the primary user, you can remotely access your desktop from thirdparty devices such as home or contractorowned pcs. Software assurance software assurance is a comprehensive maintenance offering that offers a broad range of benefits to help you get the most out of your software license purchases. Virtual desktop access rights are a benefit of windows client software assurance sa.
Guide to software assurance charity digital exchange. Those rights are extended to users of windows licensed devices under active software assurance coverage. For devices or users that do not qualify for windows software assurance, you can license windows virtual desktop access vda for access to the benefits of windows software assurance. Demystifying the new windows 10 licensing options kraft kennedy. Customers who intend to use pcs covered under sa have access to their virtual desktop infrastruc ture vdi desktops at no additional charge. Microsoft is adding peruser licensing options for its windows software assurance sa and virtual desktop access vda plans, in addition to the existing perdevice licensing. Learn what the microsoft virtual desktop access license offers above software assurance for users who want to connect to virtual windows. Volume licensing guide enrollment for education solutions. The primary user of a device covered by active software assurance for windows may access a vdi on a corporateowned windows rt companion device. Previously, those licensing programs were perdevice based, which could make the licensing a bit tricky to contemplate for organizations trying to use noncorporate devices to access windows at work. Getting started with windows virtual desktop wvd in azure. The license to run windows server in the azure environment is by default included in the perminute cost of your windows virtual machine. Windows virtual desktop access vda is an authorization strategy that requires each device seeking access to a windows virtual desktop in a virtual desktop infrastructure to be licensed.
You can license windows software assurance on a perdevice or peruser basis. Save up to 49% on windows server virtual machines vms by paying base compute 2 rates. Here is a typical manager recommendations for software assurance benefit management. Licensing windows desktop operating system for use with virtual. Access windows 10 enterprise and windows 7 enterprise desktops and apps at no additional cost if you have an eligible windows or microsoft 365 license. Software assurance benefits include free upgrades to the latest programs, office suites for free use on your home computer, elearning courses to help get your staff uptospeed on how to use their software, cold backups, availability to install windows 7 or windows 8 enterprise, license mobility, windows virtual desktop access, roaming use. Get free extended security updates until january 2023 for your windows 7 virtual desktopoffering more options to support legacy apps while you transition to windows 10. Oct 01, 2019 licensing windows for use with virtual machines details software assurance for the windows desktop operating system, windows 10 enterprise e3e5 subscription licenses, and windows virtual desktop access vda subscription licenses provides the greatest flexibility for how you use windows.
Aug 06, 2019 windows virtual desktop in azure is licensed via active software assurance on windows 10 enterprise or the microsoft 365 e3e5 subscriptions. What is included in my microsoft software assurance benefits. The ultimate online information share without much trouble. For windows desktop operating system software licenses acquired through the oem channel, the windows use rights are outlined in the software license terms that accompany the software. Microsoft software assurance is a gamble on whether potential upgrades will be worth the expense. Windows virtual desktop access vda is an authorization strategy that requires each device seeking access to a windows virtual desktop in a virtual desktop infrastructure vdi to be licensed. Software assurance by product microsoft volume licensing. Windows virtual desktop is a desktop and app virtualization service that runs on the cloud. Option 2 microsoft vda windows virtual desktop access.
Roaming rights, windows vda, and you key changes to virtual desktop access licensing for years now, microsoft has offered virtual desktop access vda through software assurance. Windows sa and windows vda are device based licenses, and under select volume licensing agreements available in a per user license option. In the first category you are covered to access a windows virtual machine as virtual desktop access vda is included as a software assurance benefit. For more information, see windows virtual desktop access.
Oct 29, 2019 windows virtual desktop user and groups. If the user wishes to access a microsoft vdi from a device that is not covered by software assurance, however, a separate windows vda license is required. As of july 1, microsoft will bundle vdivda licensing for the windows client os into. Software assurance benefits are available throughout the software management life cycle, so you can access them when you need them. Microsoft licenses windows for virtual desktops by access device. A software assurance benefit that enables you to migrate to the cloud at huge savings. Microsoft tweaks per user vda and software assurance. Windows enterprise the product use rights entitle you to access up to four virtual desktop environments. These license terms provide use rights to run windows locally on the licensed device in a virtual operating system environment ose. Traditionally, the fixed costs associated with microsoft windows virtual desktop access vda licenses for most endpoints connecting to a windows virtual desktop could present an obstacle to vdi adoption. The goal of windows virtual desktop access is to simplify licensing requirements in a virtual environment by licensing the devices that seek access to virtual. Select users and groups, then add the users you require access to wvd. New peruser licensing have been rolled out by microsoft for its virtual desktop access vda and windows software assurance sa licensing plans. As of july 1st, 2010, the rights to access virtual desktops have been included as a benefit of windows software assurance.
Windows 10 enterprise e3 in csp windows deployment. Licensing the windows desktop for vdi environments microsoft. For every qualifying license such as word or windows os covered by software assurance, one person in your organization may access. If you have software assurance membership coverage for systems pool you qualify for extended hotfix support for windows desktop operating system andor windows embedded operating system with software assurance membership coverage on a windows embedded product. Heres what you can do when you run windows virtual desktop on azure. Software assurance benefits included with microsoft donations. Vdi uses machine virtualization to allow multiple copies of a windows. Search for windows virtual desktop and select the icon. Virtual desktop access is a software assurance benefit. Windows vda is the license needed for the client device to access a virtual windows desktop os vm from a server. Windows virtual desktop access rights enables users to access virtual instances of windows 8 or prior operating system versions in a variety of user scenarios. To run windows virtual desktops, you needed the virtual enterprise centralized desktop vecd license, and having software assurance on top of that made virtualization a bit cheaper. Solved windows vda licenses ms licensing spiceworks.
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