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Download volume licensing products

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If you bought products via volume licensing (VL), you can download the products either as Executable (EXE) files or as ISO (International Standards Organization) image files from the Downloads page in the Microsoft 365 admin center.

Before you begin

  • You must have the Administrator or Product download manager VL role for the corresponding licensing ID to access downloads in the Microsoft 365 admin center. For information about VL roles, see Manage volume licensing user roles Frequently Asked Questions.
  • You must have, or buy, a license for the products that you plan to download.
  • To install VL download files, you might need a valid product key.
  • You must have either the Administrator or Product key view role to access VL product keys.

Find out if a product is available to download

  1. In the Microsoft 365 admin center, go to the Billing > Your products > Volume Licensing > Products and services page, then select View downloads and keys.

  2. Select the product or select the Downloads button to view the downloadable ISO files.

    Not all products are available to download. If there's no software download file, you see "This product is not available for download."

  3. Choose the Language and Operating System Type and select a download action or the download icon.

Note

Pop-up blockers can block downloads. Make sure pop-up blockers are disabled when you download software from the admin center.

About downloading volume licensing products

This section explains the file types for which you can download products, limitations of the VL download catalog, and products that don't require downloads.

File types available for downloads

When you download products from the Microsoft 365 admin center, you can choose between the following file types:

  • Executable (EXE) files are downloaded and installed on the same computer, but you can't create separate boot disks for installation on other computers.
  • ISO (International Standards Organization) image files are exact representations of the content. You can install these files on the computer that's used to download the package or write the files to disks for distribution and installation on other computers.

Note

Not all products are available in all languages and in all formats.

Products not available to download

In general, the VL catalog contains the most recent versions of software. However, there are some limited exceptions for older editions of products (N-2 and beyond) that might be available.

If you want to exercise your VL "downgrade right" to use prior versions of the software editions that you licensed, but the products are no longer available as Microsoft VL downloads, you might be able to source CD/DVD media from past shipments of "comprehensive kits" or "subscription kits" that you received. Alternatively, your Microsoft Resellers might still have inventory. However, Microsoft doesn't provide physical media for products bought through VL contracts

For more information on downgrade rights, download the following brief: Downgrade rights for Microsoft Commercial Licensing

Client Access Licenses (CALs) don't require downloads

A Client Access License (CAL) is a license that gives a user the right to access the services of the server. You don't need a software download file or product key to activate a CAL. Instead, the product is activated and installed through the activation wizard directly from your computer.

Examples of CALs include:

  • Windows Server
  • SQL Server
  • Exchange Server
  • Skype for Business Server
  • SharePoint Server
  • System Center
  • Project Server

Save ISO files to disk or mount as a virtual drive

This section describes your options to either save ISO image files to a CD-R or DVD-R disk, or to mount the ISO files as a virtual drive.

Save ISO image files to a disk

If you're using a PC with the Windows operating system, you don't need extra software to burn a CD-R or DVD-R disk. Double-click the ISO file that you downloaded, then follow the steps in the Image Burner Wizard.

If you're using an operating system other than Windows, you might need extra software. If your computer is equipped with a CD/DVD burner, the software is probably loaded on your PC. Most CD-R/DVD-R writing software lets you create a disk from an image file. To access this feature, select a menu item such as Copy Image to CD or Burn Image to access.

Mount and access ISO files as a virtual drive

If you don't have a CD/DVD burner installed on your computer or media isn't available, you can mount the ISO file as a virtual drive. When you create a virtual drive, your computer believes that the file is a real disk drive, and can read files from it.

Important

We recommend that you only use a virtual drive to install apps like those for Microsoft 365 or for minor system upgrades. You can't install an operating system by using a virtual drive because the virtual drive disappears during the installation.

Download volume licensing versions for PC and Mac

This section provides information about how to download VL software for PC and Mac.

Download volume licensing versions of Office for PC

There are no full ISO Download files for the 2019, 2021 or 2024 versions of Office in the Microsoft 365 admin center under Volume licensing. Only Office Online Server has an ISO download. Instead, the installation files are available on the Office Content Delivery Network (CDN).

The VL download catalog includes the Office Deployment Tool (ODT) which you can download. The ODT provides more information about installation procedures.

For more information for IT Pros, see Deployment Guide for Office 2024.

For non-IT Pros, the step-by-step instructions in How to install Office 2019 installation files not found in VLSC.

Download Microsoft 365 for Mac

To run a VL version of Microsoft 365 for Mac, you must download and install the following files:

  • The Volume License (VL) Serializer package located in the Microsoft 365 for Mac download file.
  • The Microsoft 365 for Mac installation package. Installer package files for individual applications are also available in the Microsoft 365 admin center. Microsoft 365 for Mac doesn't require a product key because the VL Serializer is used to activate a volume licensed version of Microsoft 365 for Mac.

Convert from evaluation versions to volume licensing download versions

This section contains information about how to convert evaluation editions of Windows Server or Microsoft SQL Server to VL versions.

Convert Windows Server evaluation edition

Before you deploy Windows Server VL download files, there are important considerations if you're upgrading from an Evaluation Edition of Window Server.

As described in Windows Server Upgrade and Conversion Options, we recommend that you first convert your evaluation version to a retail and then convert your retail version to a volume licensing version. While this process requires more effort, Microsoft Technical Support supports both upgrade paths.

Before you proceed, we highly recommend that you review the Windows Server Installation and Upgrade documentation, including the following articles:

If you need further assistance during product installation or activation, you can reach the appropriate Microsoft Technical Support by creating a technical support case.

Convert a Microsoft SQL Server evaluation version

It's possible to upgrade from an evaluation edition of Microsoft SQL Server to a production version without having to do a full install. To upgrade, you must perform an Edition Upgrade, which requires that you input a SQL license key. The license key is embedded in the software's activation wizard and isn't displayed in the VL product catalog.

To find the key, download the SQL ISO file from the Microsoft 365 admin center > Your Products > Volume Licensing > Product and services > Downloads. On your computer, open the ..\x64 folder, then open the DefaultSetup.ini file to find the SQL License key.

If you already installed the evaluation version with a valid VLK ISO, run the Installation Center, and select the Edition Upgrade option. The VLK product key is automatically detected.

Before you attempt to upgrade, make sure to back up your existing version and review the documentation about the SQL installation process and the different supported upgrade paths from SQL Server versions.

If you need assistance with troubleshooting technical issues during product installation, you can reach the appropriate Microsoft Technical Support by creating a technical support case.

Get support

This section provides information about support options for downloaded products and how to get VL support.

Technical support for downloaded products

Microsoft doesn't provide technical support as part of VL purchases. For technical support specific to the activation or installation of products bought through VL, customers must use other support options.

Customers can often resolve issues without assistance by using Microsoft technical documentation or self-help articles like How to install Office LTSC installation files not found in VLSC.

Alternatively, you can create a Microsoft technical support case. If your organization didn't buy a support plan, a fee might apply.

Volume licensing support

Volume Licensing Services can help you navigate the VL experience in Microsoft 365 admin center, and confirm the availability of specific download files in the VL catalog.

Submit a case in the admin center by going to Help & Support. If you're unable to access the admin center, see Contacting volume licensing support.

Tip

Creating your support case online before your phone support is faster, because your contact information is captured upfront and you immediately receive a case number to give to our support team when you call.

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