Microsoft Software Assurance — Software Upgrades

This page discusses the Software Assurance benefit Software Upgrades. The box on the right contains links to discussions of all benefits and how to obtain them.

Software Assurance allows TechSoup Stock donation recipients to get free upgrades to new versions of their products. Software Assurance replaces the need to request upgrades for your organization's volume licensing products. Additionally, if you request more licenses from TechSoup Stock for a product that has undergone a version upgrade, the product will not count as another title toward your limit of six titles per donation cycle. The number of licenses you request will, however, count toward your limits of 50 licenses per title and one request per year.

License-Only Products

Under Microsoft's licensing terms, client access licenses (CALs), external connector licenses (ECLs), and management licenses (MLs) must be for a version equal to or later than their server software. For instance, without Software Assurance, Windows 2000 Server CALs would not be usable on Windows Server 2003; new ones would have to be obtained. With Software Assurance, the CALs are also usable on the upgraded product. Software Assurance upgrade benefits for licenses are automatic: you do not have to do anything to activate them.

When You Can Upgrade

You can upgrade to any new version of your licensed products that Microsoft releases during the two years your Software Assurance is in effect, but the actual upgrade does not have to take place within those two years. Example: Microsoft releases Windows 7 in October, and your Software Assurance for the old version expires in January. You do not have to upgrade in November or December: you can upgrade at any time in the future, as long as Microsoft still makes the new version available to users. You cannot, however, upgrade to versions that Microsoft releases after your Software Assurance expires.

Software upgrades can be obtained online or ordered by phone or fax, as described below.

How to Get Upgrades Online

You can get downloaded versions and order discs online through Microsoft's eOpen Web site as described in the section titled "Obtaining Software and Setup Codes" of TechSoup Donation Recipients' Guide to the Microsoft eOpen Web Site (3.9-MB PDF). If discs are requested, Microsoft will send them by 2nd Day Air for a shipping and handling fee of $25. For instructions specific to Windows 7, see How to Get Your Windows 7 Upgrade Software Online (400-KB PDF).

How to Order Upgrades by Phone or Fax

You can call Microsoft Worldwide Fulfillment at (800) 248-0655 or contact them by fax at (800) 554-8281. They will need the agreement license and authorization numbers from the TechSoup Stock fulfillment email or the TechSoup Stock Order Status page. The shipping and handling fee is $2 more, or $27, if the order is placed by phone or fax.

After Your Benefits Expire

If your Software Assurance benefits have expired and you would like to obtain a new version of the software, you can request it through TechSoup Stock if the software is available and you are eligible to receive a new donation. You can also contact one of the Microsoft charity resellers listed in the upper right corner of the Microsoft Open License Charity Overview (nonprofit organizations) page or Microsoft Academic Open License (public libraries) page.