Windows Operating System Upgrade

Description

Windows is Microsoft's desktop operating system. This description applies to the Enterprise edition, but you can choose to download and install either the Pro or Enterprise edition through the Microsoft Volume Licensing Service Center if you request this product.

This donation provides one Windows upgrade license. You should request one upgrade license for each computer you are upgrading. See the Product Use Rights Summary for Desktop Operating Systems for specific licensing details.

Which Versions of This Software Are Available?

You can choose to download the current version or the previous version of this software. You can find out which version is the current one on the Current Versions of Microsoft Products page. In addition, you can download the software in the 32-bit or 64-bit version and also in any language that's available.

Benefits for Organizations

If you have system administration experience, you can use Windows Enterprise with Windows Server to

Provide mobile workers with access to your organizational network without the need for VPN
Allow employees to securely take a bootable version of their Windows Enterprise desktop on a USB drive to other computers
Enhance network performance and minimize bandwidth usage

Upgrade License Only

Only certain editions of the Windows operating system qualify for upgrade licenses under TechSoup's Volume Licensing agreements with Microsoft. See the system requirements to make sure your device qualifies.

If your device doesn't meet the requirements for an upgrade product, you might be eligible for a full operating system license through Microsoft's Get Genuine Windows Agreement for Small and Medium Organizations program.

Major Capabilities

All Windows Pro capabilities: Windows Enterprise provides all the capabilities of Windows Pro, including a modern interface, apps, cloud integration, and enhanced security.
DirectAccess: Mobile workers can connect securely to your organizational network anytime they have Internet access — without the need for VPN. IT administrators using Windows Server can manage mobile computers by updating Group Policy settings and distributing software updates anytime the mobile computer has Internet connectivity.
Windows To Go: You can create a copy of an employee's Windows workspace on a USB drive. This allows employees to access a secure, bootable version of their Windows Enterprise desktop on another PC regardless of that PC's operating system. The device must meet Windows hardware certification requirements.
BranchCache: Your organization's PCs can cache files, websites, and other content from central servers running Windows Server so that content is not repeatedly downloaded across your network. This can minimize network traffic between branch offices and the main office.
BitLocker drive encryption: BitLocker encrypts hard drives more quickly to protect sensitive data from being accessed by unauthorized users who come into possession of any of your organization's computers.
Start screen control: Administrators can control the layout of the Start screen to ensure that certain apps are accessible and also to enforce consistency across all devices.

Read more about Windows features in TechSoup's What's New in Windows 10.

Important Volume Licensing Information

With Windows, your organization can choose between two types of volume license keys for product activation: a Key Management Service (KMS) license key or a Multiple Activation Key (MAK). A Key Management Service (KMS) key for Windows is available to your organization by default on the Microsoft Volume Licensing website; that is, this is the only type of key you will see unless you request a MAK.

A KMS key requires at least 25 computers on a network for activation. If your organization has fewer than 25 computers, you should request a MAK from the Volume Licensing website after receiving this product.

Obtaining This Product

Installing this product requires you to download the software from the Microsoft Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC) and enter a license key. You can download any available version or language for your product.

The license key allows you to install the product on as many computers as you have received licenses for. This quantity is specified in the email you receive from TechSoup after we approve your request.

Expect two emails:

When your donation request has been approved, TechSoup will send a message to your organization email address. This email will confirm the number of licenses you have requested and provide information about how to use the VLSC once Microsoft accepts your license agreement. Make sure the email address in your organization details is up to date in your account.
Three to five business days after your request is approved, Microsoft will send an email welcoming your organization to the VLSC. This email will indicate that Microsoft has accepted your license agreement. After you receive this email, you'll be able to follow the steps in the first email you received from TechSoup to obtain your donation through the VLSC.

Software Assurance

Under the Software Assurance program, you have the right to install any new release of products covered in the agreement during the term of your coverage.

System Requirements

Software:

To install this operating system, you must have a licensed installation of one of the following operating systems on the device where you are installing the upgrade:

Windows 10 Pro
Windows 8 Enterprise or Pro
Windows 7 Enterprise, Professional, or Ultimate
Windows Vista Enterprise, Business, or Ultimate
Windows XP Professional or Tablet PC
Windows 2000 Professional
Windows NT Workstation 4.0
Windows 98 SE

You cannot upgrade from any Home edition of Windows.

Hardware:

1-GHz (or higher) 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit processor
1 GB or more RAM for 32-bit; 2 GB or more for 64-bit
16 GB available hard-disk space for 32-bit; 20 GB for 64-bit
800x600-pixel (or higher) display
DirectX 9 graphics device with Windows Display Driver Model (WDDM) 1.0 or later driver

Additional requirements to use certain features. See the full system requirements.
Product functionality and appearance might vary with system configuration.

Rules, Eligibility and Restrictions

Quantity: Organizations receive an allotment of Microsoft software donations that is reset every two years. An organization's two-year cycle begins with its first donation request after July 27, 2011. After two years, a new cycle begins, and a new allotment is available.

During its two-year cycle, an organization can request

Up to 50 of each donated desktop product or CAL.
Up to 25 donated Windows Server Standard.
Up to five donated server products total that are not Windows Server Standard.

For further details, see Quantity and Frequency of Microsoft Requests on the Microsoft Eligibility, Allotments, and Returns page.

Budget: Organizations with annual operating budgets of any size are eligible for products in this program.
Nonprofits and public libraries only:

Donated products are available to nonprofits with 501(c)(3) designation and to public libraries. Public libraries must either have valid 501(c)(3) nonprofit status or be listed in the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) database.
Public libraries without a 501(c)(3) designation may request donated products through this program only for use on public access computers or on computers that are used to directly manage either the public access computers or the library's public access program.
Microsoft reserves the right to grant or deny an organization's request at any time, for any reason.

Eligible organization types: Only nonprofit organizations whose missions benefit the local community are eligible for donated Microsoft products. This could include organizations with the following missions:

Providing relief to the poor
Advancing education
Improving social welfare
Preserving culture
Preserving or restoring the environment
Promoting human rights
Establishment of civil society

Ineligible organization types: Not all 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations are eligible for donated Microsoft products. Ineligible organizations include the following:

Governmental organizations or agencies.
Educational institutions, including K-12 schools, colleges, universities, and trade schools.
Healthcare organizations, including hospitals, healthcare networks, health plans, ambulatory healthcare services, home healthcare and assisted living healthcare organizations, health research organizations, pregnancy centers, and laboratories. Exceptions include independent nonprofit organizations with the following missions: community, behavioral and women's health clinics; hospices; emergency services; and blood, tissue and organ banks.
Professional, commerce, and trade associations.
Professional and semiprofessional sports organizations.
Political, labor, and fraternal organizations.
Refurbishers that will be installing the software on refurbished computers to be distributed or donated to nonprofits or schools. Please visit the Registered Refurbisher Program.
Nonpublic, non-501(c)(3) libraries, including private libraries, school libraries, specialty libraries, armed forces libraries, and libraries in government agencies.

Terms of service: Organizations that request Microsoft products must agree to any applicable terms of service.
Amendments: Microsoft reserves the right to supplement or amend these eligibility guidelines at any time without notice.
Anti-discrimination policy: Microsoft values and respects individual and cultural differences and is committed to providing an inclusive environment that is welcoming and free from discrimination. Therefore, organizations are not eligible to participate in this program if they have a policy or mission of discrimination in hiring, compensation, promotion, termination, retirement, training, programs, and/or services based on race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, political affiliation, union membership, or veteran status. The only exception to this policy is for religious organizations that are exempt from laws that prohibit such discrimination.
FAQ: For more information about Microsoft's resources for nonprofits and program eligibility, see its Nonprofit FAQ.
Product distribution:

Products will be distributed under this program to qualifying organizations and libraries only, not to individuals.
Products are intended only for use by paid nonprofit employees and unpaid full-time equivalent (FTE) staff who have material day-to-day managerial, operational, and fiduciary responsibilities, and who will not use the license for personal income generation. Volunteers, members, and beneficiaries of the nonprofit are not eligible for nonprofit licenses and subscriptions
Recipient organizations may not transfer or resell Microsoft products to other organizations, including partner nonprofits or legally independent sister organizations.
Microsoft products may not be installed on computers that will be given to or sold to other organizations or individuals, even as part of a charitable program.

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