- What is Difference between OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) FPP (Full Pack Product) and Paper License (Volume License or Open License)?
OEM license is technically not meant and not allowed to be purchased by customer as it is available as bundled by computer or notebook vendors such as HP, Lenovo, Toshiba, Dell etc. This 'bundled' license is called OEM. The only exception in this is that customers may purchase OEM Microsoft Office license within 60 days of purchase of a new PC or notebook. It is also notable that OEM License CANNOT be transferred between computers and it dies with the particular computer or laptop when you discard or stop using it.
FPP - Full Pack (aka Retail Pack) is a retail pack of software which can be purchased from retail electronic and software selling showroom near you. This license type is meant for retail as its name suggests. It is recommended to be used by individual or professionals and very small business that have less than 5 license requirement in total in their organization. These Licenses available in single units only and can be transferred ONCE only.
OLP - Open License / Value License / Volume License (Paper License)
Available only with a minimum of 5 units Open License on first purchase. However companies or businesses can even order single product thereafter. This can be a mix of different products. The license is perpetual (no expiry) and belongs to the company, not the computer or notebook. Therefore it is transferable between PCs and even between companies with in licensing agreement clause. This is the most popular licensing type and the only for meant for businesses. It does have many other options including subscription based options. It also offers great licensing management as it is paper license and businesses have direct access to their licenses and keys as well as many other details. Here is centralized Microsoft Licensing Manager for your organization, if you are not using it yet go and start using it https://www.microsoft.com/licensing/servicecenter/default.aspx
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- What is "program add-ons" in Microsoft Licensing?
Usually when you buy a product under volume licensing certain product offers you flexibility of additional software or multiple use licensing grants, these are product to product specific but the common thing is you should buy the base product version to be eligible for the Add on for that program or product. Popular example is SBS Premium Add-on which is available to be purchased only if you have SBS Standard or Essential purchased. Refer this http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/server-cloud/windows-small-business-server/editions.aspx
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- What is KMS and MAK Supplied with my license and what do you recommend me to use?
With Volume Licensing for products such as Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008, and Microsoft Office 2010, you must use a new type of product activation called Volume Activation (VA). To activate these operating systems with VA, you can use either a Multiple Activation Key (MAK) or Key Management Service (KMS), requiring a KMS key.
Since KMS requires its own activation infrastructure with in your company it adds a layer of additional assessment management for most of the companies hence we recommend most of our customers to use MAK – Multiple Activation Keys.
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- What is Key Management Service (KMS) and how does it work?
KMS is a type of activating your product license. KMS allows organizations to activate systems within their own network.
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- How KMS keys are used and how can we request additional grants in case you reached initially allocated activation grant for particular product?
Each KMS key provides for the activation of six KMS host machines for up to 10 uses per host machine. Each host can activate an unlimited number of machines running Windows Server 2008, Windows 7 Professional, and/or Windows 7 Enterprise editions.
Customers may make the mistake of using KMS keys as though they were the same type of Volume License Keys that were issued with Microsoft Windows XP Professional and Windows Server 2003, which “bypassed” activation. Please note that if your key is used this way, all possible activations associated with the key will have been used, and you will receive an error message. In this case, you can fix the key in one of the following ways:
Request that activations be added to the current KMS key.
Request that the current KMS key be blocked for activation and Windows Genuine validation, and have a new key assigned.
Other KMS Activation Request Scenarios:
If the existing KMS activation limit (you may activate up to six KMS host machines) is not adequate for your organization, you can go through the standard support process of calling the Activation Call Center and requesting an increase. This increase will add one activation (or “override”) to the KMS key, but only one override is granted per day. Please note that you need information from the KMS host machine to provide an override so you will need to call while you are with the machine. Any requests above a total of five overrides need to go through the KMS exception process, detailed below.
If your organization needs more than six KMS host machines—for example, 10 separate schools under one agreement that want their own KMS hosts or an organization with 13 labs on individual networks—you may request additional activations on your organization’s KMS key by calling the Activation Call Center, and you will be guided through the KMS exception process (KMSADD). You will need to provide the following information via an e-mail address provided to you by the Activation Call Center:
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Organization name
- Agreement number, or license and authorization numbers, associated with the key
- Requester’s name, phone number, and e-mail address (must match the Microsoft Authorized Contact List as defined by your organization)
- Product (e.g. Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 Standard)
- Last five digits of product key
- Number of activations requested
- Business reason for request
- Required date
The KMSADD support team will follow up with the requester by e-mail if it has any specific questions or concerns. As an added security measure, all requests are verified through the customer “Notices Correspondent” for approval prior to any increases being granted. Please add them as part of the e-mail request to expedite the process. All KMSADD requests have a five business day response time, though the process may take longer if Microsoft is waiting for customer information. Please note that non-English requests may take longer than five business days for response.
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- What is a Multiple Activation Key (MAK) and how does it work?
It is one of the methods to for activating your paper licensed product. MAK activates systems on a one-time basis, using Microsoft's hosted activation services.
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- How to use MAK license keys and once reached as allowed activation count, how can we request additional activation grant?
Each MAK is associated with a specific number of activations. MAK activation limits are calculated based on Volume License agreements and levels and do not match your organization’s exact license count. We have estimated an initial MAK activation count that is adequate for most customers.
To request a MAK, simply go to the online portal (such as the Volume License Service Center, MVLS, or eOpen) that lists the Volume License Keys and click the link that says “Request Multiple Activation Key(s).” After you make the request, you will receive a key, which will then be listed on the same Web page as the rest of your Volume Licensing Keys. You may also request a MAK by using the Activation Call Centers. KMS keys are automatically provided on the online portal you access if your Volume License Agreement includes Windows 7.
To view the number of activations associated with a MAK or the activations that remain, please visit the online portal or call the Activation Call Center. You can also use the Volume Activation Management Tool (VAMT).
Requesting a change in MAK activations:
If you need to change the activation limit of your MAK up to double the amount of activations originally allocated, the call center can help with these activations during the phone call. If the amount of activations needed is more, the Call Center representative will guide you through the steps needed to take part in the MAK exception process (MAKADD).
As part of the exception process, you need to provide the following information to Microsoft via an e-mail address provided to you by the Activation Call Center:
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Organization name
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Agreement number, or license and authorization numbers, associated with the key
- Requester’s name, phone number, and e-mail address (must match the Microsoft Authorized Contact List as defined by your organization)
- Product (e.g. Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 Standard)
- Last five digits of product key
- Number of activations requested
- Business reason for request
- Required date
The MAKADD support team follows up with the requester to address any specific questions or concerns. All MAKADD requests have a five business day response time, though the process may take longer if Microsoft is waiting for customer information.
As an added security measure, all requests are verified through the customer “Notices Correspondent” for approval prior to any increases being granted. Please add them as part of the e-mail request to expedite the process. Please note that non-English requests may take longer than five business days for response.
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- Can I use both MAK and KMS for activating systems in my organization?
Yes it is possible. Please refer Volume Activation 2.0 Overview and Volume Activation 2.0 Planning Guide and determine how your organization plans to use and manage the key(s). It is important to plan activation solutions for your environment. Determine the optimum mix and use of MAK and KMS for your environment by using the prescriptive guidance provided. Organizations with an Enterprise Agreement, Select License, or Campus or School Agreement may require a mix of KMS and MAK deployments. Most Open License customers will primarily use MAK as their method of activation.
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- Are there usage limits on MAKs?
Yes, Each MAK is associated with a specific number of activations. MAK activation limits are calculated based on Volume License agreements and levels and do not match your organization’s exact license count. Once you reach the limit you may be allowed to request additional activations. Please refer answer to answer to question no. 7 above to learn more about how you can request more activation.
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- Office 2010 – Are there different keys for x86 (32-bit) and x64 (64-bit) versions of Office 2010 products?
The product key for any Office 2010 product will work on both the x86 (32-bit) and x64 (64-bit) versions.
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- I purchased new PCs preinstalled with Windows 7 Professional and plan to downgrade to an earlier version of Windows. What key can I use?
You can use one of the following:
• A KMS host activated with a Windows 7 KMS key will activate Windows Vista and Windows 7 KMS clients.
• A KMS host activated with a Windows Vista KMS key will activate Windows Vista KMS clients.
• A Windows Vista MAK.
If you want to downgrade to Windows XP, you must to use the Windows XP Professional key only.
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- What key(s) should I use for Small Business Server 2011?
With the release of Windows Small Business Server 2011, Multiple Activation Keys (MAK) for Volume Licensing customers will be available on the VLSC. MAK keys allow activation to take place with the Microsoft hosted activation service either online or by phone. Volume Licensing customers can find their keys on the VLSC Product Key page or by calling the Activation Call Center.
• Windows Small Business Server 2011 Standard will use the Win SBS Std/Essentials 2011 MAK
• Windows Small Business Server 2011 Essentials will use the Win SBS Std/Essentials 2011 MAK
• Windows Small Business Server 2011 Premium Add-on will use the Windows Server 2008 R2 MAK B
Small Business Server 2011 installs automatically as a Key Management Server (KMS) client. KMS, another type of Volume Licensing key, is not offered for Small Business Server 2011. To use a MAK, customers will need to convert their KMS client machine to a MAK activation client by installing a MAK. You can install a MAK during or any time after the operating system is installed.
If you want to know more about MAK and KMS key types please refer some of the answers about it above.
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- How can I use downgraded version of SBS server?, I have 2011 right now.
Windows Small Business Server 2008 is only available via physical media and product keys are adhered to that media. Windows Small Business Server 2008 CALs do not require activation. If you are downgrading to SBS 2003, you will need corresponding SBS 2003 CAL keys to activate your SBS 2003 CALs. Refer to the Windows Small Business Server Downgrade Rights FAQ for information on obtaining SBS2003 CAL keys.
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- What is Product key?
Setup keys/Product keys are used for each product/version combination to "unlock" the product and will bypass activation.
There are three ways to obtain setup keys:
• Physical fulfillment. For products acquired through physical fulfillment, the setup key is printed on the media sleeve.
• Download fulfillment. For products acquired by download, the setup key is provided with the download.
• For products that are available for download from the Microsoft Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC) Web site, the setup key is provided on the download screen and may be accompanied with the following text: "Some products available for download require setup keys. Please take note of this setup key as it will be needed during product installation."
• You can call the Activation Call Center to obtain the setup keys you need. When you call, you will be asked to provide Volume Licensing agreement information and proof of purchase.
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- What happens if I lose my product key or I have not received product key along with paper license?
If you are looking answer for FPP or OEM version, please refer answer of question no 14 above.
If you lose your product’s volume license key (or paper license key) there are number of way you can retrieve your license key.
Option 1 : login to your Microsoft Volume Licensing Service center site, here you can see your related product key.
Option 2: In case you do not have access to it, you can get instant access by signing up on Volume Licensing Service center website (https://www.microsoft.com/licensing/servicecenter/default.aspx ) by providing exact business email id using which the order was placed by your organization.
Option 3 : If you are not able to get access to your licenses on above site and you have access to your license certificate, just scan it and send it as attachment to connect@microsoft.com, with in 2 business day you will receive your license key by Microsoft Volume Licensing Team.
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- Where can I find information about existing Volume Licenses I have already purchased?
Please refer question 14 and 15 above.
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- I currently have Windows Server 2008 Client Access Licenses. Will I need to purchase new Windows Server 2008 R2 CALs?
No. There are no new CALs for Windows Server 2008 R2. You can use your Windows Server 2008 CAL for either Windows Server 2008 or Windows Server 2008 R2.
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- What are the pricing and licensing terms for the 64-bit versions of Windows Server 2008?
The 32-bit and 64-bit versions of the software are the same price as well as their license terms. The license grants the customer the option of using either the 32-bit version or the 64-bit version of the software. CALs are still required to access or use the server software.
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- Can I run Windows Server 2008 software (with the Hyper-V technology enabled) on a 32-bit version?
No. Windows Server 2008 enabled with the Hyper-V virtualization technology may only run on 64-bit versions of Windows Server 2008 Standard, Enterprise, and Datacenter on hardware that supports hardware-assisted virtualization.
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- I can’t find Windows Server 2003 R2 products on the Volume Licensing or Retail price lists anymore. Does this mean I can no longer use Windows Server 2003 R2?
No. You can acquire Windows Server 2008 licenses and exercise your downgrade rights to still use Windows Server 2003 R2 products.
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- Do I have to order special media in order to exercise my
downgrade rights to use Window Server 2003 R2?
No. You may use your existing media to run older versions of the
server software. If you no longer have the media for the version you wish to run, you can re-order via Bitscape.
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- What is different between User Cal and device cal?
User Cal is assigned to named role user, whereas device CAL is assigned for devices that access the server product. To elaborate more, a user cal based user “xyz” if access the server product from his work pc, home laptop or his mobile device or n number of devices it is valid, but user “abc” can not access it as the user cal belong to xyz user, so abc user must have its own user cal. Similarly for Device cal, in above example work pc, home laptop and mobile device are three devices so it requires 3 device CAL, however the same device can be used to access server resources by n number of users.
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- Why Microsoft SharePoint?
Microsoft SharePoint is proven business platform, enterprise content management, secured document management, BI and business process and workflow solution provider which enhances every dollar already invested in Software by your organization irrespective of whether those software a Microsoft or non-Microsoft based software product.
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- How can I purchase Microsoft SharePoint 2010 or Exchange 2010 version?
If you would like to use enterprise features of SharePoint 2010 or Exchange 2010 you will need to order the Standard version product along with Standard CAL as well as Enterprise CAL. The enterprise CAL enables or allows you to legally use enterprise features of SharePoint 2010. Similarly it is implied for Exchange 2010. You should note that in these products you cannot order Enterprise CAL only, as Enterprise CAL requires Standard CAL for compliance purpose. (In short Enterprise CAL sits on top of Standard CAL).
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