Everything you need
about Windows endpoint licensing

At the beginning we will summarize the basic terms and abbreviations from of licensing that you should be familiar with as you read this article.

• FPP = Full Package Product or retail or boxed version
• VL = Volume License or multilicense
• BYOD = "Bring your own device" - a concept where you employees bring their own devices to work
• OS = Operating System
• MDOP = Microsoft Desktop
  Optimization PackVDA = Virtual Desktop Access
• SA = Software Assurance
• OEM = license originating from distribution channel to the hardware manufacturers who install the software directly to the device as part of the production

Windows editions 10 a 11

With the introduction of Windows 10, a number of OS software editions were created Microsoft software releases that are available to different types of users. Below you will find an overview, that explains the basic licensing breakdown for each edition.

First of all, it is important to note that the choice of the optimal edition always depends on the individual needs of the company. Often the deciding factor is not only the size of the company, but the need for 100% availability of the system 24 hours a day. Imagine if doctors were using Windows 10 Professional during a surgical procedure and the system started updating itself during the operation. That would be annoying, wouldn't it? And what if the production line at the factory stopped for an update? In both cases, it would be more convenient to use Windows 10 Enterprise. See? The size of the company plays no role here, it's about the specific needs.

Basic characteristics of editions

The advantage of the Windows Enterprise edition is the fixation of the OS to a specific kernel, which guarantees full compatibility with existing hardware (measuring, production and other machines, etc.) and software infrastructure for a long time, including guaranteed security support as part of the product life cycle. From our point of view, it is important to highlight the difference from the Home and Pro versions in terms of upgrades, where the user only receives security support. It is important to point out that the aforementioned Windows 10 Home and Pro editions have guaranteed support from the manufacturer only until October 2025, and Windows 10 Enterprise according to the specific edition:

It is currently possible to cloud-based operating systems, available in two plans - Windows 10/11 Enterprise E3 or E5.

If you are interested in more information about the division of licenses by type contract (FPP, Volume Licensing, OEM), read our previous article where we cover this topic in detail.

Upgrade (and downgrade)

Windows 10 and 11 When upgrading Windows operating system from multi-licensing programs, it is necessary to have qualified underlying licenses on one side, which are combined with the respective "qualified" upgrade license and then form the so-called full Windows OS license. Furthermore, you may encounter many common but also specific situations. We mention some of them below.

In the case of a migration to Windows 10, e.g. Windows 7 is also considered as a qualified underlying OS license. With Windows 11, the versions considered as qualified underlying licenses are shifted, you can build up from Windows 8 and later versions. In the case of a transition from Windows 7 to Windows 11, a downstream intermediate layer must be used, such as a Windows 8 upgrade multilicense.

The basis for this is always the existence of the rights to use the qualified underlying OS licence and the relevant downstream multilicences in the form of upgrade licences, either one or more. Subsequently, such a combination constitutes a full-fledged license that is also applicable to new devices without any OS licence.

In short, QOS stands for Qualified Operating System

Windows licenses available through Volume Licensing are for upgrades only, and do not replace the base OS software licenses that come preinstalled on new computers. This requires a qualified underlying license (see above), without which complete licensing is not possible.

Activate Windows licenses

Activation keys are only used to unlock the operating system on the device, but do not guarantee proper licensing. Activation is done using KMS (Key management service) server or the so-called MAK (Multiple Activation Key).

Conclusion

Are you interested in learning more about licensing Windows operating systems? Read our previous articles, where for example we explain how to legally acquire Windows 10 or offer the latest version of the Microsoft operating system - Windows 11.