Contents

Part 1
Licensing

Part 2
Windows Genuine Advantage

How to Properly License Windows

What you absolutely need to know:
Customers must acquire a full version of the OS
first to be eligible for a Windows Volume Licensing
Agreement. The most cost-effective way for a customer
to obtain a Windows OS license is pre-installed on a new
system by a PC manufacturer.

VL Agreements cover Windows software UPGRADES ONLY.

Microsoft Windows upgrades are designed to upgrade
previously acquired qualifying licenses. This means
customers must first have the full license for a qualifying
underlying operating system for each PC before they install
the upgrade.

Each PC needs its own full license.

To be properly licensed and receive technical support and
updates, customers must have a full underlying license for
all software installed on each PC.

Qualifying Underlying OS for VL Agreements.

Windows Home and Starter editions do not qualify
as the full underlying OS for Commercial customers
(non-Academic) who are using a Windows
VL Agreement.

There are two ways to legally acquire the initial full license
of Windows:

Pre-installed on a PC through a PC manufacturer

the most cost-effective way to get a genuine Windows
license on a new PC.

If you discover Microsoft Partners violating

Microsofts licensing terms, report them!
E-Mail: piracy@microsoft.com

As full packaged product from retail.

Windows Volume Licensing (VL) Agreements

A Volume Licensing Agreement is a flexible and economical way for
companies to acquire multiple licenses for software.

Windows Volume Licensing Agreements:

Provide upgrade rights only and do not cover the initial full
qualifying underlying OS.
Require a full qualifying underlying OS to be installed on each
machine before the upgrade is installed.
Do not accept Windows Home or Starter editions as the full
qualifying underlying OS, except for Academic institutions.

Qualifying OS

Commercial

Academic

Windows XP Pro,
Windows Vista Business,
Windows Vista Ultimate

Windows Starter
upwards

*
Windows Pro 7

Windows Legalization Solutions

Microsoft offers a variety of Windows Legalization Solutions to address all customer
types.
Get Genuine Windows Advantage (GGWA) Volume Licensing solution for legalization
-GGWA SMO: For Small and Medium Organization (< 500 PCs)
- GGWA LO: For Large Opportunities (>500 PCs)
GGK COEM solution for all customers
GGWA-A (Academic) Volume Licensing for academic institutions only
GGOK (Get Genuine Online Kit) Windows 7 licensing purchased online for home consumers and small
businesses
FPP (Full Packaged Product) licensing available at retail for all customers

GGWA is currently available as Windows 7 Professional.

Windows Legalization Solutions Scenarios

CUSTOMER SCENARIOS

SOLUTIONS

VL customer has non-genuine/no OS or Linux as the

underlying license on machines.

GGWA-LO
GGWA-SMO

VL customer has Windows Home or Starter as the

underlying license on machines.

GGWA-LO
GGWA-SMO

VL customer merged with or acquired a company that has

non-genuine/no OS or Linux on machines.

GGWA-LO
GGWA-SMO

VL customer merged with or acquired a company that has

Home or Starter on machines.

GGWA-LO
GGWA-SMO

Academic customer has non-genuine/no OS or Linux as

the underlying license on machines.

GGWA-Academic

Customer wants to purchase Genuine Windows solution

with their identity not known to Microsoft.

GGK

Customer has a non-genuine version of Windows on a

single machine.

GGK

For more information, please visit:

www.microsoft.com/piracy/knowthefacts/default.aspx

FPP is an option for every

solution. However, it is not
the most cost-effective
solution.

Windows OS Piracy Types

So how can you tell if customers are mislicensed?
Below is an overview of the different types of Windows OS piracy.

Mislicensed Software

Version Piracy

Pirated Software

Purchased PCs without an OS preinstalled or with Linux, FreeDOS or

OOS (other operating system)
installed, and then used a
Microsoft VL Agreement to install
the full Windows desktop
operating system.

Purchased PCs with Windows Vista

Home Premium, Home Basic, or
Starter editions and then used a VL
Agreement to upgrade to Windows
Vista Business or Windows Vista
Ultimate.
Purchased PCs with Windows XP
Home edition or Starter edition
and then used a commercial VL
Agreement to upgrade to Windows
XP Professional.

Installed Windows software using

leaked or stolen Volume License
Keys (VLKs).
Downloaded software online
or from unknown or counterfeit
sources.
Attempted to save costs by doing
in-place motherboard upgrades
without acquiring new Windows
licenses on those PCs.
Purchased from an OEM that used
a single license on multiple PCs
(called hard disk loading).

Top Windows Licensing Myths

Top myths / areas of confusion on Windows Licensing

1. I have a Volume License (VL). I can buy a naked PC from OEM False
2. The VL license is perpetual (For example- when you buy
Upgrade or GGS for a PC, I can use it forever

True. But the VL Upgrade / GGWA license

is tied to the PC and dies with the PC

3. The Windows VL license can be transferred from one PC to

another

False

The VL Upgrade license for the Windows desktop operating system is tied to the device on which software is first installed.
Accordingly, customers may not transfer the VL operating system license without that device.
However, Volume Licensing customers are eligible to reassign Software Assurance coverage to an appropriately licensed
replacement device. The replacement device must be licensed to run the latest version of the desktop operating system
available as of the date of the reassignment, and the customer must remove from the original device any desktop operating
system upgrades that were installed under the transferred Software Assurance coverage.

Top 10 Things You Should Know About Genuine Windows Software

1. Full Windows License
Each PC must have an underlying full Windows desktop license
that can be purchased one of two ways preinstalled from the
PC manufacturer or purchased at retail.

6. Compliance
Discuss proper licensing with customers to avoid mislicensing issues and to help ensure
your customers Windows desktops are compliant. When non-genuine situations arise,
use Windows Legalization Solutions to resolve them.

2. Volume Licensing
Volume Licensing (VL) for Windows Client operating system (OS)
are upgrade licenses only and require a full qualifying underlying
operating system.
Product List: www.microsoftvolumelicensing.com/userights/PL.aspx

7. Legalization Solutions
Get Genuine Windows Advantage (GGWA) is for VL customers to correct underlying
mislicensed or non-genuine versions of Windows.
Get Genuine Kit (GGK) is an OEM sku for all customers to correct non-genuine
versions of Windows.
Solutions List: www.microsoft.com/piracy/knowthefacts/Legalization.aspx

3. Full Qualifying Underlying OS

Commercial VL customers cannot purchase PCs with Windows
Home or Starter edition and then use their VL Agreement to
upgrade to Windows Vista Business or Ultimate.
4. Volume Activation
Activation is a required aspect of deployment for customers
running the VL image of Windows Vista and Windows 7.
5. Volume Activation Methods
Key Management Service (KMS) for customer-hosted local
activation and Multiple Activation Key (MAK) for activation
with Microsoft.
More info: www.technet.com/volumeactivation

8. Partner Benefits for Selling Legalization

Develop deeper relationships with your customers as a trusted advisor.
Increase annual revenue through the sale of Windows Legalization offers.
Increase customer awareness of proper licensing.
9. Ordering GGWA
A minimum of 5 licenses is required.
GGWA is on the Open Price List. GGWA-A is on the Academic Open Price List
10. Partner Resources
Get Genuine Windows Advantage (GGWA) https://partner.microsoft.com/40032275
Legalization - www.microsoft.com/piracy/knowthefacts/Legalization.aspx

Take Aways

Per Section 4(e)(2) of the Microsoft Partner Program

Agreement; Company will not engage or participate in the
unauthorized manufacture, duplication, delivery, transfer or use
of counterfeit, pirated, unlicensed or illegal software or other
Microsoft Materials. Company will not otherwise infringe any of
Microsofts intellectual property rights. Company must
reasonably cooperate with Microsoft and its Affiliates in the
investigation of counterfeit, pirated, unlicensed or illegal
software and other Microsoft Materials. Company must
promptly report to Microsoft any suspected counterfeiting,
piracy or other copyright infringement in computer programs,
manuals, course material, marketing materials or other
copyrighted materials owned by Microsoft or its licensors.

Thank you!

APPENDIX
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Qualifying Windows OS for Volume Licensing Agreements

This table details the Windows desktop licenses that are eligible to use a Windows upgrade under Volume Licensing.
Qualifying Operating Systems
Windows 7 (32-bit or 64-bit)
Enterprise (N, K, KN)
Professional (N, K, KN, diskless)
Ultimate
Home Premium
Home Basic
Starter Edition
Windows Vista (32-bit or 64-bit)
Enterprise (N, K, KN)
Business (N, K, KN, Blade)
Ultimate
Home Premium
Home Basic
Starter Edition
Windows XP (32-bit or 64-bit)

New EA/
OV-CW

Existing EA/OV-CW

Select (All
except
academic)

Open (All except

academic &
charity & OV-CW)

Academic &
charity

x
x

x
x

x
x

x
x

x
x
x
x
x

x
x
x

x
x
x

x
x
x

x
x
x

x
x
x
x
x
x

Professional (N, K, KN, Blade)

Tablet Edition (N, K, KN, Blade)

XP Pro N
XP Pro Blade PC
Home & Starter Edition
Windows 2000 Professional
Windows NT Workstation 4.0
Windows 98 (including 2nd Edition)

x
x
x

x
x
x

x
x
x

x
x

x
x

x
x

x
x
x
x
x
x

x
x

x
x

x
x

x
Apple
Macintosh
x
Note: N, K, and KN are specialized editions available
to certain markets.

For the most current view of the Microsoft product list, visit www.microsoftvolumelicensing.com/userights/PL.aspx

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What should I tell my customers when they ask for a naked PC?
A. You should let them know that if they are planning to run Windows software
on the PC, the most cost-effective way to get the Windows license is preinstalled
with the purchase of the PC. Getting a Windows license after the PC sale will limit
their options and will put them at greater risk for a counterfeit or
pirated version. While it may seem like a way to save money, it will likely cost
them more in the long run.
Q. In order to save costs, my business customers often ask for Windows Vista
Home versions to be preinstalled on their new PCs. What should I tell them?
A. You should let them know that Home versions may not be the best option
for business use. Also, if they are planning to upgrade to a Business version via
their Volume Licensing Agreement, this is not allowed under Volume Licensing
Agreements. Windows XP Home or Windows Vista Home versions do not qualify
for upgrades to Windows XP Professional or Windows Vista Business versions
under Microsoft Volume Licensing Agreements, with the exception of Academic
Volume Licensing Agreements.
Q. My customer has an Academic Volume Licensing
Agreement and believes that it will cover the full underlying Windows desktop
license. What should I tell them?
A. You should let your customer know that Microsoft Volume Licensing
Agreements, including Academic Agreements, do not cover the full, underlying
Windows desktop license. They cover Windows desktop upgrades only.

Q. What are the customer benefits to getting Windows

operating systems preinstalled?
A. Getting Windows preinstalled on a new PC is the most cost-effective licensing
option, it is convenient for customers, and it will lead to customer satisfaction.
Without a preinstalled version, customers will need to acquire the license after
the fact which can cost them more, will be much less convenient, and can put
them at risk for pirated or counterfeit versions. Counterfeit software can expose
your customers computers to malicious code or other dangerous malware. This
kind of unwanted software can lead to costly system failures, data loss, and
employee downtime which ultimately result in business loss.

Q. What are the advantages of Volume Licensing?

A. A Microsoft Volume Licensing Agreement is a great option for customers in
need of 5 or more licenses. However, its important to note that the full underlying
Windows desktop license is not available under Volume Licensingonly Windows
desktop upgrades. If your customer has a Volume Licensing Agreement for
Windows, they will still need to acquire the underlying Windows license via the
OEM or Retail channels, and can then use their Agreement to upgrade that
underlying license to a more recent version (for example Windows Vista Business
to Windows 7 Professional)

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Resources
Partner external sites:

Customer-facing sites:

Get Genuine Windows Agreement

https://partner.microsoft.com/ggwa

Legalization
www.microsoft.com/piracy/knowthefacts/Legalization.aspx

Partner Activation
https://partner.microsoft.com/global/40049176?PS=95000124

Microsoft Genuine Software

www.microsoft.com/genuine/

Gear Up | Sales Toolkit

www.ms-gearup.com/etoolkit

Microsoft Volume Licensing

www.microsoft.com/licensing

Note: Microsoft Licensing is located in the last section of the Toolkit.

Microsoft Financing
www.microsoftfinancing.com

Piracy
www.microsoft.com/piracy/default.aspx
Volume Activation
www.technet.com/volumeactivation
Microsoft Financing
www.microsoft.com/licensing/financing/default.mspx

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