New PCs, Do I Need To Buy Them With a License?

[farquea]

I've been told you need to purchase a license with every new computer, even if you have a volume license key on site. Is this the case?

And if so is it still the case if we want to run Linux on them?

[cromertech]

You only need to purchase a Windows license if you intend to run any version of Windows on the computers. If you are going to use a free os or you have a volume license for a commercial linux (ex. RedHat) then you won't need a Windows license (as windows won't be used). Be aware though that if you ever want to put Windows on then you'll need to purchase one as you only get upgrade media on a schools agreement. I'm not so sure about the new model of licenses from microsoft but this won't affect linux os's.

[Jamman960]

You will however still need to declare the PC & pay for it on your schools agreement even if you are using linux.

[cromertech]

You will however still need to declare the PC & pay for it on your schools agreement even if you are using linux.

Forgot that bit, thanks.

[localzuk]

You will however still need to declare the PC & pay for it on your schools agreement even if you are using linux.

And if you connect to a windows server from Linux, you'll still need a CAL too.

[farquea]

Good old MS licensing i guess. Realisitcally how likely is it to ever get 'caught out' if we ever were to install a version of windows onto them instead of linux? I'm not condoning this but i cant see how its really possible to check you bought hardware with a version of windows before installing your volume license version.

[jamesreedersmith]

Other than no OEM/License sticker on it!

[farquea]

Other than no OEM/License sticker on it!

A fair few of ours have been peeled off by the kids!