[Windows Software] Licensing for deploying image using WDS over HP desktop

[albertwt]

Hi All,

I've got brand new HP Desktop computers and laptop which comes with OEM Windows 7 Professional, I'm interested in implementing WDS for deploying the custom images that has been customized with my office needs.

Can I safely assume that I customize one desktop and then take snapshot as master image then deploy it using WDS ?
or do i have to get another license of Windows 7 to do this ?

FYI: My Domain controller is Windows Server 2008 R2 and it can server as the WDS server.

[Ric_]

IIRC if you have a volume license agreement, you should be entitled to use the volume license media which means you won't have to use MAK keys for each machine which is a PITA.

Other than that, you should be OK with your plan I think.

[albertwt]

thanks for the reply mate, so on top of the existing OEM license i still need to get the volume license :-o ?
hm... sounds like the OEM license on the desktop is useless since i need to get another full version of OS license.

[Arthur]

so on top of the existing OEM license I still need to get the volume license :-o?

This is what Microsoft have to say...

Reimaging Eligibility
Reimaging is permitted if the copies made from the Volume Licensing media are identical to the originally licensed product. Volume Licensing customers who have licensed Microsoft software products from an OEM, through a retail source, or under any agreement other than their Microsoft Volume Licensing agreement may use copies made from Microsoft Volume Licensing media. Customers can use these copies from Microsoft media only if they are the same product and version, contain the same components, and are in the same language.

OEM Specific Information

• Organizations do not have the right to re-image using OEM media.
• An OEM image can only be preloaded on a PC by the OEM during manufacturing. An image can be individually recovered by the organization (or a service provider they choose) by using the Recovery Media. The OEM recovery media should match the product version originally preinstalled on the system; no other image may be used to restore the system to its original state.

Source: http://download.microsoft.com/downlo...Reimaging.docx

[albertwt]

thanks man, this is just what i need.

have a great day.

[Ric_]

@albertwt: If you have a Schools Agreement with desktop pack you will have an upgrade license for each OS which means you will be covered to use Windows 7 Enterprise (which is a volume license product).

[albertwt]

thanks for your reply Ric, unfortunately no, we don't have it that is why I'm now in the process of getting MS Open License for the WDS purpose.