Every product, explained the same way.
What it is, who it's for, how the editions differ, and how the licensing actually works. No fluff, no pricing pages — just the structural information you need before talking to a reseller.
Windows
Office & Microsoft 365
Servers & infrastructure
Databases
Collaboration
Developer tools
Cloud & business apps
Five shapes every Microsoft license takes
Before you compare editions, recognise which licensing mechanic applies — the available model depends on the exact product and SKU.
Microsoft 365, Visio Plan, Project Plan, most Dynamics 365 SKUs. Cost scales with named users, not hardware. Best for hybrid and BYOD environments.
Eligible Windows Retail, perpetual Office and RDS Device CALs. Device licensing can suit shared devices; OEM is pre-installed only by hardware manufacturers, not sold separately.
Core minimums depend on the product and deployment. Physical Windows Server licensing requires at least 8 cores per processor and 16 per server. SQL Server requires at least 4 cores per physical processor or individually licensed VM. Eligible Windows Server VM licensing has separate requirements.
Windows Server, Exchange and SharePoint can require User or Device CALs, subject to product-specific exceptions. RDS CALs are additional to Windows Server access rights. System Center uses management licences, not this CAL model.
Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365, CSP SKUs. Usage rights end with the term — no perpetual fallback. Includes upgrades during the term.
Confirm the exact SKU against the applicable agreement, Product Terms and product-specific licence terms. Activation alone does not prove entitlement.
Open the glossary →Which channel fits your purchase?
Purchase channels and rights depend on the product, region and agreement. OEM is supplied pre-installed by hardware manufacturers, not as a standalone end-user purchase.
Boxed or digital retail editions, where available. Verify commercial-use and transfer rights in the exact licence terms; do not apply one product's rights to every retail SKU.
Programmes such as Open Value, MPSA and Enterprise Agreement have different eligibility and benefits. Check Software Assurance, downgrade and activation rights in the agreement; volume-licensing administration has moved from VLSC to the Microsoft 365 admin center.
Cloud Solution Provider — monthly or annual subscriptions billed through a Microsoft partner. Best for Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365, Azure consumption.
Each product page documents every edition, the CAL or per-core mechanics, downgrade paths, and the channel a real-world buyer should be looking at.
This is a licensing reference, not a storefront. Pricing depends on channel, region, agreement and SA — always confirmed by your reseller.