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Microsoft Licensing Requirements for Desktop Virtualization (VDI) May 29th, 2008 by Patrick Rouse

I’ve been trying to get the License SKUs required for different VDI Deployment Scenarios. Today I worked with a Microsoft Licensing Specialist from CDW and this is what I learned.

If a customer has a PC with an OEM Version of Windows Vista Business, the requirements are:

  • Microsoft SKU “66J-01128″ - Microsoft Windows Vista Business - W/ Microsoft Windows Vista Enterprise - software assurance - 1 PC - Open Business - English (License Only)
  • Microsoft SKU “DSA-00050″ - Vista Enterprise Centralized Desktop for SA (Subscription)


If a customer has a PC with a downlevel version of Windows, i.e. XP Pro or 2000 Pro, the requirements are:

  • Microsoft SKU “66J-01215″ - Microsoft Windows Vista Business - W/ Microsoft Windows Vista Enterprise - upgrade & software assurance - 1 PC - Open Business - Single Language (License Only)
  • Microsoft SKU “DSA-00050″ - Vista Enterprise Centralized Desktop for SA (Subscription)


If a customer has a thin client device, regardless of OS the requirements are:

  • Microsoft SKU “DSA-00056″ - Vista Enterprise Centralized Desktop for Devices (Subscription)


Optional components:

  • Microsoft SKU “WSB-00090″ - Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack (MDOP) - Includes Microsoft Application Virtualization (Softgrid)


Notes: VECD entitles a single client device to access up to four (4) Virtual Desktops, whether they are running locally in VMware Workstation or Virtual PC, or hosted on a Hypervisor like Microsoft Hyper-V, VMware ESX or VI3, Virtual Iron or Citrix XenServer.

For customers doing VDI on Parallels Virtuozzo Containers, the requirements are the same as for Terminal Services, i.e. Windows Terminal Server CAL & Windows Server CAL, but they don’t have to deal with VECD. Instead Virtuozzo users can purchase Windows Server 2003 Datacenter Edition to run unlimited number of containers on a single host.

If a customer has a Select or Enterprise Agreement, they should contact ther Value Added Reseller (VAR) for those SKUs.

For more information:

Quest Software accepts no responsibility for the validity of this information. When in doubt, contact your VAR’s licensing specialist or your Microsoft Licensing Representative.

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3 Responses to “Microsoft Licensing Requirements for Desktop Virtualization (VDI)”

  1. Jim Kenzig
    May 29th, 2008 at 10:01 pm

    Patrick Here is the Link for VECD License info from Microsoft. The bottom line is if you want to do VDI you need VECD whether you are running XP or Vista
    Licensing Vista with VM

    Jim Kenzig
    http://www.techblink.com
    twitter.com/kenzig

  2. Patrick Rouse
    May 29th, 2008 at 10:05 pm

    Jim, you are absolutely correct, and thanks for clarifying this, as I didn’t explain that piece. My biggest challenge was finding someone who could provide me with actual Microsoft SKUs as to what needed to be purchased. Luckily today one of my contacts at CDW hooked me up with one of their Microsoft Licensing Specialists who provided the information I posted. The information was spread through an email thread, but what is posted is just a summarized, organized verision.

    Thanks again Jim. :)

  3. Alec Istomin
    June 6th, 2008 at 1:06 am

    Patrick, thanks for binging this up, very useful!
    I was wondering if you know how to separate and distinguish the server and client side licensing for VDI, especially in case of vmware and virtuozzo. Since I might be running XP/VIsta on my laptop and also have optional access to Virtual Desktop running XP, Vista or maybe w2k3 server…

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