Software Assurance (SA) for Windows is the path to enabling flexible workstyles by providing access to Windows instances in a variety of ways across devices. With access to the unique offerings and use rights listed below, Software Assurance for Windows provides the maximum value for your investment.
When purchasing new PCs with a qualifying operating system preinstalled, you can acquire Software Assurance through Volume Licensing within 90 days of the purchase date of the new PCs.
Benefit | Description |
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Windows 8 Enterprise | Windows 8 Enterprise edition is available through Software Assurance for Windows and includes all the capabilities of Windows 8 Pro, plus premium features designed to meet the mobility, productivity, security and manageability, and virtualization. |
Windows Virtual Desktop Access (VDA) Rights | Windows VDA Rights enable users to access virtual instances of Windows in a variety of user scenarios. |
Windows To Go | Windows To Go is a fully manageable corporate desktop running Windows 8 Enterprise edition on a bootable USB stick. This use right allows Windows To Go to be run on any device licensed with Software Assurance for Windows. |
Roaming Use Rights | Roaming Use Rights allow the primary user of any licensed device to access a virtual instance of Windows running in the datacenter (VDI) or Windows To Go from non-corporate devices such as personally owned or hotel business center PCs while away from the office. |
Windows RT Companion VDA Rights | Windows RT Companion VDA Rights allow the primary user of a licensed device rights to access a corporate desktop through a VDI from a corporate-owned companion Windows RT device with no additional Windows license required. |
Enterprise Sideloading of Windows 8 Apps | Receive the necessary use rights required to enable deployment of touch centric Windows 8 apps directly to devices within an organization as opposed to being installed through the public Windows Store. |
Windows Thin PC | Windows Thin PC is a smaller footprint version of Windows 7 that enables organizations to repurpose existing PCs as thin clients, thereby reducing the need for new thin client hardware. This benefit applies only to devices licensed with Software Assurance for Windows. |
Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack (MDOP) | MDOP is an optional subscription add-on that enables businesses to virtualize the operating system applications and the user experience, manage Windows features, and restore user productivity after a system issue. |
Windows Companion Subscription License (CSL) | The Windows CSL is an optional subscription add-on that grants the primary user of a licensed device the rights to access a corporate desktop through either a VDI or Windows To Go on up to four devices capable of leveraging these technologies. Devices eligible for licensed use include any type of personally owned device as well as corporate-owned non-x86 devices. |