Volume Licensing Service Center — Getting Started

You use the Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC) to obtain installation keys, download or order installation software, and access other benefits.

The first step is to create a VLSC account. This account is only with the VLSC. It is separate from your TechSoup account. You register directly with the VLSC, and TechSoup account management specialists have no access to your account.

The person who first registers at the VLSC can later invite other people to create their own VLSC accounts and can give those people access to various parts of the site.

Note: People who had eOpen accounts before December 6, 2009, automatically have access at the VLSC and to any licenses they had at that time.

The VLSC requires the use of Internet Explorer for many of its functions.

Before You Start

The following items are needed for access to the VLSC.

Business Email Address

The first person to register a new donation must have access to the email address for your organization's TechSoup account. TechSoup sends this email address to Microsoft along with the donation request. Microsoft calls this the "business email address."

Windows Live ID

Everyone who registers at the VLSC must have a Windows Live ID.

Normally the Windows Live ID should be the same as the organization's business email address. For example, if the organization's business email address is tech@socialbenefitgroup.org, all VLSC users in the organization would share the Windows Live ID tech@socialbenefitgroup.org.

(Sometimes, it is more appropriate to use a different email address as the Windows Live ID. For example, the IT manager of SocialBenefitGroup might want to register with a personal email address. This would be fine as long as the manager has access to the tech@socialbenefit.org email account to confirm the registration as described below in step 5. After registration, the manager will use the personal email address for VLSC activities.)

If you don't have a Windows Live ID, take the following steps to create one. (See the important note above concerning Windows Live IDs.)

1. Go to https://signup.live.com/ to display the Create your Windows Live ID page.
2. Complete the form and click I accept.

First-Time Registration at the Volume Licensing Service Center

To retrieve and manage your Microsoft volume licenses, you must first register and accept your agreement at the VLSC. You must use Internet Explorer as your browser.

The instructions below are also provided in the email that contains your agreement and license numbers.

1. Go to https://www.microsoft.com/licensing/servicecenter
2. Click Sign In Now.
3. Enter your Windows Live ID email address and password; then click Sign in. The VLSC checks whether you are a registered user.

4. If you aren't a registered user, confirm your business email address. This must be your organization's email address with TechSoup.

   You will receive an email that welcomes you to the Volume Licensing Service Center and asks you to validate your information.

5. Wait at least a quarter hour and then open this email and click the link to validate your email address.

   Note: The VLSC sends this email after your user account is created, but there is a lag before the VLSC makes the terms and conditions available.

6. The link opens the VLSC page for accepting the terms and conditions of your Open License Agreement. To accept them, select the appropriate options from Country of Usage and Language and click Display. After you review the Open License Agreement, enter your name and click I Accept.

Note: If the terms and conditions do not appear immediately, wait for a while and click the email again. It might take up to 48 hours for access to be granted. Keep the validation email and click the link in it again after a 48-hour period.

Returning to the VLSC

Once you have registered, use this procedure to sign in.

1. Go to https://www.microsoft.com/licensing/servicecenter to display the VLSC home page.
2. Click Sign In at the upper right side of the page or Sign in Now in the Sign In box to display the Windows Live ID login page.
3. In the Sign in to Microsoft section at the right side of the page, enter your Windows Live ID in the E-mail address box and your password in the Password box; then click Sign in. The VLSC home page reappears.

Understanding the VLSC Site

Navigation on all VLSC pages is from a menu bar at the top of the page. The home page also includes boxes with links to the main tasks you perform at the VLSC and to information about what's new and how to use the site.

Note: Microsoft is constantly seeking to improve the VLSC experience. If you have any difficulty with any of the procedures described in this guide, please refer to the VLSC's Frequently Asked Questions.

The Volume Licensing instructions and definitions provided by Microsoft are generally aimed at customers who purchase software through resellers. The Volume Licensing Service Center — License Information section of this guide can help you understand how the terms on the VLSC site apply to donations obtained through TechSoup. Navigation on all VLSC pages is from a menu bar at the top of the page. The home page also includes boxes with links to the main tasks you perform at the VLSC and to information about what's new and how to use the site.

Getting Help

To find instructions for using the VLSC choose Help from the VLSC menu bar and click the name of the FAQ that relates to your question. If you are not signed into the VLSC, use this link: Help.

If you have a specific question the FAQs do not answer, click Contact Us to find out how to email or phone VLSC customer service. When you talk to customer service, keep in mind that the Microsoft donation program through TechSoup is somewhat different from the Open License program available through other channels. The information below should help:

• If you are asked to call your reseller to have them resolve a problem, explain that you did not receive the products through a reseller. TechSoup provides a service to Microsoft by administering one of their donation programs. TechSoup very seldom can actually resolve the issue, so please try calling Microsoft customer service again before asking for help from the TechSoup Account Management group.
• Although the Open License agreement you sign when you register at the VLSC might imply it, the products did not come through the Charity Open License Program. The TechSoup program is a donation from Microsoft, and the fees paid to TechSoup pay TechSoup's costs for administering the program. The Charity Open License Program is a separate program whereby products are made available at a reduced cost through authorized resellers.
• If you are asked for your agreement number, give them the authorization number in the email sent to your organization from TechSoup.

You might also find these links useful:

• Licensing Briefs
• Fulfillment Information

If you need specific information available only from TechSoup, contact information is available on the Need More Help? page.