Which Windows 10 licenses are eligible to use with a virtual private server on a cloud provider?

Question

We want to run a Windows 10 (Pro or Enterprise version) on a cloud provider. Since they are only offering Windows Server licenses, they advised us to use the BYOL model. Since the licensing options in this topic are too confusing and unclear, what are our options to use such an installation in the cloud? We will connect to this machine via RDP (only one user). Can we use an OEM, Retail, or Volume license?

Answer 1

Hello

The BYOL (Bring Your Own License) model essentially means you are responsible for providing your own license key to use the software. There are different types of licenses that can be used for Windows 10 (OEM, Retail, or Volume), but they have different terms of use and limitations.

OEM License: OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) licenses are tied to the very first computer they are installed on and are not transferrable between machines. This is usually used by system builders to pre-install Windows on machines they sell. This would not be applicable for a cloud-based scenario.

Retail License: A Retail license can be purchased directly from Microsoft or from a retail outlet. This license can be transferred between machines, but can only be active on one machine at a time. However, Retail licenses do not usually provide virtualization rights.

Volume License: Volume Licensing is the most flexible option and is designed for businesses. This type of license allows you to install Windows on multiple machines and includes virtualization rights. If you’re planning to run Windows 10 Pro or Enterprise in a cloud environment, a Volume License would likely be the appropriate choice.

For your scenario, where you want to run Windows 10 Pro or Enterprise on a cloud provider and will be connecting via RDP, you will likely need a Volume License.

Meanwhile, Microsoft licensing can indeed be complex, I also suggest that we'd better to contact VLSC to get more information about your scenario.

https://www.microsoft.com/licensing/servicecenter/default.aspx

Best Regards