volume licensing

When a single 25‑character code became the shorthand for every Windows XP pirate’s triumph and Microsoft’s worst pre‑release embarrassment, it didn’t just embarrass a software giant — it exposed a design and distribution gap that still reads like a cautionary textbook for modern licensing...

Microsoft has given Windows 10 users a clearly signposted escape hatch: Extended Security Updates (ESU) will let eligible PCs continue to receive critical and important security patches for up to three years after the operating system reaches end of support on October 14, 2025. The program...

Consumer Reports has formally urged Microsoft to extend free support for Windows 10, warning that tens — possibly hundreds — of millions of still-working PCs will be left exposed when mainstream updates and security patches stop on October 14, 2025. The advocacy group’s letter to Microsoft’s CEO...

Microsoft’s long-standing upgrade loophole — where old Windows 7 and 8 product keys could be used to activate newer Windows installations — has officially been closed, and the implications ripple from consumers building DIY PCs to IT managers planning migrations. Microsoft confirmed the move to...

Microsoft’s consumer-facing pricing can feel like a maze of subscriptions, promotions, and licensing fine print — and the piece you provided distills three practical, high-impact ways ordinary users and small businesses can cut that bill dramatically. The recommendations range from snapping up...

Microsoft’s latest moves on two fronts — making Windows 11 more playable on Arm hardware and publishing a lab-grade video AI called StreamMind — mark a sustained effort to reshape the platform story for both consumers and enterprise customers, but the practical benefits will arrive unevenly and...

Microsoft is standardizing how it prices online services purchased through its volume licensing programs, expanding a single, consistent price across Price Levels A–D to all Online Services sold under Enterprise Agreement (EA) and Microsoft Products and Services Agreement (MPSA), with the change...

Bagging a software bargain has long been a rite of passage for savvy PC users, but in 2025, the stakes and opportunities have rarely been higher. As the software industry continues its relentless pivot from one-time purchases to recurring subscriptions, a new wave of lifetime-license deals...

In recent times, numerous online platforms have advertised Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 licenses at prices as low as $30, a significant reduction from the standard retail price of approximately $439.99. While such offers may appear enticing, it's crucial to scrutinize their legitimacy...

In the digital age, acquiring software licenses, particularly for operating systems like Windows 11 Pro, has become a nuanced endeavor. The [H]ard|Forum, a well-regarded community for tech enthusiasts, frequently features discussions where members seek to purchase (WTB: Want To Buy) Windows 11...

The process of activating a Windows operating system—whether it’s a routine installation at home or an upgrade in a vast enterprise ecosystem—remains one of the most important, misunderstood, and occasionally frustrating rites of passage for PC users. Microsoft product activation acts as a...

For installing newer version of Windows server, does the volume license server have to be at the latest version for the other servers to get licensed?

Today marks the beginning of Windows 10, version 21H1 availability. As I noted when we first announced the May 2021 Update in February, we grounded this update on the needs expressed by you, our customers, over the past year of continued remote work, learning and play. The May 2021 Update is...

Volume license editions of Office 2016 client products require activation. This download enables IT administrators to set up a Key Management Service (KMS) or configure a domain for Active Directory-Based activation. Either of these volume activation methods can locally activate all Office 2016...

Link Removed, Windows 10 is available in 190 countries beginning today. This is a significant milestone we reached together, as more than 5 million Windows Insiders, 30% of them IT Pros, provided us with feedback and helped us build the best Windows ever. We’re excited to begin to make Windows...

With around four weeks to go before Windows 10 becomes available, I thought it would be helpful to provide some context on how we will roll-out Windows 10 to the world. We’ve been really pleased with the strong response to Windows 10 since we kicked off reservations in early June, with millions...

This may not be a question anyone necessarily has an answer for, but would appreciate any opinions. I work at a school and would like to upgrade about 70 computers to W10. Unfortunately, teachers get back around August 5, so it will be a crunch. 1. I have 100 volume licenses for W8. Will these...

Volume license editions of Office 2013 client products require activation. This download enables IT administrators to set up a Key Management Service (KMS) or configure a domain for Active Directory-Based activation. Either of these volume activation methods can locally activate all Office 2013...

How to Add volume-licensed version key? Office professional plus 2013 Result: C:\>cscript c:\windows\System32\slmgr.vbs /pik YC7DK-####-####-#####-GVGXT Microsoft (R) Windows Script Host Version 5.8 Copyright (C) Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Unrecognized option: /pik Windows...

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