Licensing Microsoft OS and Office in Virtual Environment

So I ask this because I havent found any decisive solution to my Setup, at least none that I am happy with.

The setup is as follows:

1x Host PC (lets not call it a server ;) ):

Host OS is a Linux Distribution, inside two Windows VMs are installed with Office (Windows 8.1, Office 2013)

2xClient PCs:

those could be Thin Clients to, my first thought was to use Linux with rdesktop to connect to the VMs,

but than I found out about Windows ThinPC which could be used depending on Licence

From what information I could gather the following licences could be applied:

2x  Windows 8.1 Pro Licence with Software Assurance (including 1x VDA Licence through SA)

2x  Office 2013 Standard Licence with Software Assurance (SA only so it is allowed to access Office in the VMs remotely from the client PCs)

If I use Windows ThinPC no additional Licences are needed to access the VMs and Office, from my understanding.

What if I dont like to use Windows ThinPC?

Is it really that expensive? Those Licences would cost around 1600 in my country.

Is Windows 8.1 Pro applicable for VDA through SA ?

Microsoft License Advisor does not list this, it does so only if I select Windows 8.1 Enterprise. (But any FAQ I found lists Pro versions as applicable)

If it really is that expensive maybe a solution with 2 PCs and FPP software would be more appropriate, even so some very nice possibilities will be gone than.

Thanks for reading and I hope for some answers, even partial answers are very welcome.

February 4th, 2015 5:56am

Hello,

for Microsoft Desktop and application virtualization licensing, you need for each device have Access to Windows Client as VM and to Office 2013 the VDA license Or Windows 8.1 Enterprise with SA + Office 2013 in VL + RDS CALs if you have Access to Windows and Office through remote Desktop Services on Windows Server.

the retail(FPP) license for Windows it's not recomended for VDI environement. you can use the retail license only  if The physical server on which the virtual desktop is installed is assigned only to one user, and is not shared with other VDI Desktops

thanks

diramoh

Free Windows Admin Tool Kit Click here and download it now
February 4th, 2015 6:34am

VDI is expensive, very expensive, to implement.

With regards to licensing, you should not rely on community/user forums for advice.  The only way to get accurate licensing information is direct from Microsoft.

February 4th, 2015 1:36pm

Hello,

for Microsoft Desktop and application virtualization licensing, you need for each device have Access to Windows Client as VM and to Office 2013 the VDA license Or Windows 8.1 Enterprise with SA + Office 2013 in VL + RDS CALs if you have Access to Windows and Office through remote Desktop Services on Windows Server.

the retail(FPP) license for Windows it's not recomended for VDI environement. you can use the retail license only  if The physical server on which the virtual desktop is installed is assigned only to one user, and is not shared with other VDI Desktops

thanks

diramoh

  • Marked as answer by Jonas-S 2 hours 39 minutes ago
Free Windows Admin Tool Kit Click here and download it now
February 4th, 2015 2:31pm

Hello,

for Microsoft Desktop and application virtualization licensing, you need for each device have Access to Windows Client as VM and to Office 2013 the VDA license Or Windows 8.1 Enterprise with SA + Office 2013 in VL + RDS CALs if you have Access to Windows and Office through remote Desktop Services on Windows Server.

the retail(FPP) license for Windows it's not recomended for VDI environement. you can use the retail license only  if The physical server on which the virtual desktop is installed is assigned only to one user, and is not shared with other VDI Desktops

thanks

diramoh

  • Marked as answer by Jonas-S Monday, February 09, 2015 9:05 AM
February 4th, 2015 2:31pm

VDI is expensive, very expensive, to implement.

With regards to licensing, you should not rely on community/user forums for advice.  The only way to get accurate licensing information is direct from Microsoft.

  • Marked as answer by Jonas-S 2 hours 39 minutes ago
Free Windows Admin Tool Kit Click here and download it now
February 4th, 2015 9:34pm

VDI is expensive, very expensive, to implement.

With regards to licensing, you should not rely on community/user forums for advice.  The only way to get accurate licensing information is direct from Microsoft.

  • Marked as answer by Jonas-S Monday, February 09, 2015 9:05 AM
February 4th, 2015 9:34pm

Hi Jonas-s,

For the issue ,it is recommended to make a free phone call from here .

https://www.microsoft.com/licensing/servicecenter/Help/Contact.aspx

Best regards



  • Edited by MeipoXu 1 hour 18 minutes ago
Free Windows Admin Tool Kit Click here and download it now
February 5th, 2015 5:28am

Hi Jonas-s,

For the issue ,it is recommended to make a free phone call from here .

https://www.microsoft.com/licensing/servicecenter/Help/Contact.aspx

Best regards



  • Edited by MeipoXu Thursday, February 05, 2015 10:27 AM
February 5th, 2015 1:25pm

Hi Jonas-s,

For the issue ,it is recommended to make a free phone call from here .

https://www.microsoft.com/licensing/servicecenter/Help/Contact.aspx

Best regards



  • Edited by MeipoXu Thursday, February 05, 2015 10:27 AM
  • Marked as answer by Jonas-S 2 hours 39 minutes ago
Free Windows Admin Tool Kit Click here and download it now
February 5th, 2015 1:25pm

Hi Jonas-s,

For the issue ,it is recommended to make a free phone call from here .

https://www.microsoft.com/licensing/servicecenter/Help/Contact.aspx

Best regards



  • Edited by MeipoXu Thursday, February 05, 2015 10:27 AM
  • Marked as answer by Jonas-S Monday, February 09, 2015 9:05 AM
February 5th, 2015 1:25pm

Thanks for all the answers, I thought so but now I know ;)
Free Windows Admin Tool Kit Click here and download it now
February 9th, 2015 4:07am

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