Windows 10 Pro Volume licensing (very confusing pricing)

papayars4 · 14 Nov 2016

Hi guys,

New to the forum and have searched for some answers on this topic.

I have a small business with 16 computers I need to upgrade to Windows 10 Pro. The computers currently have Windows 10 Home. (Side note: Will I have any issues with drivers, etc etc upgrading these computers from Home to Pro???)

Is it worth it to purchase volume licensing vs just buying OEM copies? Also when I go on CDW's site, are the "Open license" the ones I need to purchase? And are these licenses only good for 1 computer or all? (some say one license, others say one user, one is labeled 500+).

Any help is greatly appreciated. I need to get this figured out ASAP.

-Mark B.

EdTittel · 14 Nov 2016

A volume license is restricted to a certain number of instances, but you can move them around as you see fit. Thus, as long as you deactivate the license for Computer A and then activate the license for Computer B, you've effected a license transfer from one machine to the other. Don't buy OEM Licenses: while cheap, they're (a) supposed to be provided by people who sell them with a computer and installing them on some other machine technically violates the license and (b) once installed, the license stays with that machine and cannot be transferred from one PC to another. As for reputable vendors to contact for volume licenses, I've done business with Software Wholesale International (now part of Crayon) for years, and they continue to offer the best prices on MSDN subscriptions and volume licenses I've found anywhere for small-timers like me. You may want to check them out as a point of comparison with CDW (whom I've also done business with).
HTH,
--Ed--

PS: volume licenses can also come as part of a subscription deal through Open Value offerings (Microsoft Open Programs | Microsoft Volume Licensing). These may be a better deal for your business, as long as you don't mind paying them every year for your Windows seats (and other software).

PPS: working with the Microsoft Volume Licensing Center is a major PITA. Look for a vendor who will help you navigate their systems and get your account set up so you can access and use your licenses properly. SWI has videos to get people started, and great online/telephone tech support to help you get up and running. I used all of that info, because I simply couldn't perform the right incantations on my own to get things working unassisted. Sigh.

papayars4 · 14 Nov 2016

I'll give them a call. Thanks

papayars4 · 14 Nov 2016

Awaiting pricing. The one thing they asked me was whether I wanted to do Pro or Enterprise.

I'm a dental office. Not sure if the added security and features are overkill for my type of business.

EdTittel · 15 Nov 2016

I think for a smaller dental practice Enterprise is overkill. Pro should be fine. I use it in an SMB context quite happily with 8 nodes constantly on the network, plus two network attached printers, plus other occasional devices (as many as 7 more, depending on what's what, including 3 iPhones, 2 iPads, a SmartTV, and a Nook eBook reader). HTH,
--Ed--