Windows Vista Business/Enterprise Upgrade License FAQ

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Windows Vista Business/Enterprise Upgrade License FAQ Q. Which Operating Systems qualify for the purchase of the Windows Vista Business Upgrade License? A.

With the launch of Windows Vista, Microsoft is updating and clarifying the policies identifying operating systems that qualify for the purchase of the Windows Vista Business Upgrade License in Volume Licensing (VL). These changes are reflected in the November Product List. The following rules will apply: Updated Qualifying OS Rules (Each of these conditions must be met in order for the base OS to qualify you for the VL Upgrade.): The qualifying OS must be installed on the PC to which the VL Upgrade license is to be deployed.

Without Software Assurance, only 1 instance of the OS may be installed. If the Windows Vista Business Upgrade license is purchased, then the qualifying OS must be removed from that desktop/PC before the VL Upgrade license may be deployed. Customers who wish to run multiple OSs at one time (including the qualifying OS), may either acquire Software Assurance for their VL Upgrade license or purchase full Windows Vista licenses separately (since full OS licenses are not available through VL programs).

Customers with active Software Assurance coverage on the OS are ... more. less.

granted up to 4 instances of the current or prior OS. Customers do not need to uninstall the qualifying OS before deploying the SA Upgrade and may run the qualifying OS and Windows Vista at the same time. The following table summarizes the available qualifying Operating Systems for Volume Licensing: Qualifying Operating Systems for purchasing the VL Upgrade License Academic (Select, Open, and CASA) Windows Vista (32-bit or 64-bit) Business x Business 8N 9, 8K 9, & 8KN 9 x Ultimate x Home Premium x Home Basic x Home Basic 8N 9, 8K 9, & 8KN 9 x Windows XP (32-bit or 64-bit) XP Professional x XP Professional 'N', 'K', & 8KN 9 x XP Tablet PC Edition x XP Home Edition x Windows 2000 Pro x Windows NT Workstation 4.0 x Windows 98 (including 2nd Edition) x IBM OS / 2 Apple Macintosh x Notes: Academic includes Campus & School, Select - Academic, and Open - Academic Programs EA = Enterprise Agreement OV-CW = Open Value - Company-wide 8N, 9 8K, 9 and 8KN 9 are specialized editions available for certain markets. For details on rules and policies regarding use of the VL Upgrade License, please refer to the Product List at http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/default.mspx. Q. How are the qualifying OS rules different in Windows Vista than in previous Windows releases? A. There are just a few key updates to the rules: Consumer/Home SKUs, such as Windows XP Home Edition, Windows Vista Home Basic, and Windows Vista Home Premium, will not be eligible for the Windows Vista Upgrade License in any of the VL Programs except Academic Programs The qualifying OS must be installed on the device to which the VL Upgrade license will be deployed. Customers may install the VL Upgrade only after removing the qualifying OS software from their desktop, unless that Upgrade license device is covered with Software Assurance. Active Software Assurance coverage permits the customer to install and run the VL Upgrade without first removing the qualifying OS. Q. If I purchase a Windows Vista Business Upgrade License for my Mac, can I keep my Mac OS and the Windows OS installed on my desktop at the same time? A. If you purchase the VL Windows Vista Upgrade License using your Mac OS as the qualifying OS to purchase the Windows Vista Upgrade License, you must first remove your Mac OS before deploying the Windows OS under your VL Upgrade license. If you purchase the VL Windows Vista Business Upgrade AND Software Assurance then you can continue to run the Mac OS in conjunction with your Windows Vista Upgrade Q. Can a customer install several operating systems on a desktop without SA coverage? A. There are 2 ways to install multiple instances of Windows Vista OS Purchase individual copies of the full Windows Vista OS via full package products Purchase the VL Windows Vista Business Upgrade plus Software Assurance 3 as an SA benefit we grant you up to 4 instances of the current or prior versions of Windows Vista Business or Enterprise Q. What about customers who express concern that they recently purchased XP Home Edition in advance of the Windows Vista launch given the qualifying OS list? A. We continually evaluate market conditions and VL policies and have decided to make updates and provide clarifications to our qualifying OS policy. Customers who currently own an XP Home Edition license should upgrade their license to a qualifying OS to remain eligible for the Windows Upgrade license. A promotion is being offered through Sept 30, 2007 that enables customers with XP Home Edition licenses purchased on or before 12/31/06 to use those licenses to purchase the Windows Vista Upgrade license in VL.

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