Licensing Virtual Desktops

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Q: (from Josh)

Here are the questions my customer has:

  • Does an existing WinXP VLK work with View?
  • Is there an upgrade/purchase option for Win7 that works with View that does not require a subscription?
  • Same questions for an Office 2k3 VLK and upgrade paths.

A:

So to answer your questions:

  • Does an existing WinXP VLK work with View?
    No. The Windows XP volume licenses they own are only upgrades. What they currently have still requires the base license in order to run it in either a physical or a virtual environment.
  • Is there an upgrade/purchase option for Win7 that works with View that does not require a subscription?
    No. Microsoft’s current VDI desktop OS licensing offerings are “VECD for SA” which is based on a “rich client” that already has Software Assurance or VECD which is for a “thin client” without SA. In either case Software Assurance and an annual payment model is involved. However it means that you can use Windows 7 Enterprise and you have the option to install any of our downgraded desktop operating systems because it is a volume license SKU.
  • Same questions for an Office 2k3 VLK and upgrade paths.
    Yes. Because new Office 2007 licenses can be purchased via volume licensing, you have the downgrade rights to Office 2003.

BTW, initially I would question the choice of VM Ware View. Both because Microsoft sells our own VDI solution stack based on Hyper-V for less money and because we offer other desktop virtualization solutions like Remote Desktop Services that might address the client needs and would be significantly less complex. If you would like to know more about our offerings, please ask.

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