Last updated on September 2, 2021
Understanding How Microsoft VDI Licensing Works
You can license Windows in a virtual environment by using Windows Virtualization Rights, Windows 10 Multitenant Hosting Rights or Windows Virtual Desktop in Azure. Either way, Microsoft virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) licensing provides you with the rights to run Windows locally in the virtual operating system environment on a licensed device.
Windows Virtualization Rights
These rights allow licensed devices or users to access virtual Windows desktops locally or remotely depending on how the user or device is licensed. The ways of licensing devices or users are:
- Licensing devices with Software Assurance for Windows desktop operating system or Windows VDA subscription on a per-device basis.
- Licensing users with Windows Enterprise E3/E5 subscription licenses for Windows Virtual Desktop Access (VDA) E3/E5 subscription on a per-user basis.
Customers can use third-party solutions to host either Windows client virtual machines or Desktops as a Service (DaaS) solutions. The former is referred to as Outsourcing Software Management while the latter requires the third party to be an Authorized Outsourcer.
Windows 10 Multitenant Hosting Rights
Customers can also host their Windows client virtual machines for remote access using a third-party shared server (which must be a Qualified Multitenant Hosting Partner) or Microsoft Azure. These rights are not provided with device-based licenses and are available only with Windows Enterprise E3/E5 or Windows VDA E3/E5 subscription licenses on a per-user basis.
Windows Virtual Desktop in Azure
Yet another way to license a virtual machine is Windows Virtual Desktop. It is a desktop and application virtualization service that allows licensed users to access Windows 10 virtual machines using Windows Enterprise E3/E5, Windows VDA E3/E5 or Microsoft 365 suite license on a per-user basis.
Windows 10 Enterprise Versus Windows VDA
Both Windows 10 Enterprise and Windows VDA have the per-user and per-device options. The per-user licensing model requires every user to be licensed separately, and the user can use multiple devices.
On the other hand, the per-device licensing model requires every device to be licensed separately, and the licensed device can be used by multiple users. Choosing between the two depends on your individual needs. The differences between them are illustrated in the table below:
| Windows 10 Enterprise Per-User Option | Windows VDA Per-User Option | Windows 10 Enterprise Per-Device Option | Windows VDA Per-Device Option | |
| Licensing Requirements | The primary user’s primary device should be licensed for Windows 7/8/8.1/10 Pro, Enterprise, or Education. | No device requirements | Primary user’s primary device must be covered by Windows 10 Enterprise per Device. | Primary user’s primary device must be covered by Windows VDA |
| License Model | Per-user model without any device limits | Per-user model without any device limits | Per-user model without any device limits | Per-user model without any device limits |
| Local Install of Windows Enterprise | Can be installed on any Windows 7/8/8.1/10 Pro, Enterprise, Education device, or Windows tablet that is less than 10.1 inches | Can be installed on any Windows 7/8/8.1/10 Pro, Enterprise, Education device, or Windows tablet that is less than 10.1 inches | Can be installed on any Windows 7/8/8.1/10 Pro, Enterprise, Education device, or Windows tablet that is less than 10.1 inches | Can be installed on any Windows 7/8/8.1/10 Pro, Enterprise, Education device, or Windows tablet that is less than 10.1 inches |
| VDI Access | Any device | Any device | Any device | Any device |
Licensing Requirements to Access VDI Through RDS
To access VDI through Remote Desktop Services (RDS) (or virtual machines through remote desktop) you need a VDA license as well as an RDS Client Access License (CAL). All users that connect to a Remote Desktop Session Host need a CAL. A VDA license is generally covered by a Windows 10 Enterprise E3 or E5 license. You do not need Windows Server CAL to access VDI through RDS.
Licensing Windows Virtual Desktop on Azure
Using Windows Virtual Desktop on Azure requires you to possess an eligible license or subscription per user. With an eligible license, you can access either a Windows 7 or 10 machine. The following licenses can offer you this access:
- Microsoft 365 A3 or A5 Student Use Benefits
- Microsoft 365 F3, E3 or E5
- Microsoft 365 Business Premium (formerly called Microsoft 365 Business)
- Windows 10 Virtual Desktop Access (VDA)
- Windows 10 Education A5 or A3
- Windows 10 Enterprise E5 or E3
If you want to access Windows Virtual Desktop based on Windows Server, then purchasing the Windows Server license is another way to access Windows Virtual Desktop on Azure. You can either purchase:
- A Windows Server license as a part of Azure subscription (pay-as-you-go model).
or
- Azure Hybrid Benefits for Windows Server Core (a cheaper option that also includes Software Assurance).
You also need to license RDS when using this option. This can be done via one of the following:
- Windows Server RDS CALs covered with Software Assurance
- Devices with existing RDS Device CALs
- Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) program
The pricing calculation for using Windows Virtual Desktop in Azure depends on the following factors apart from the kind of license (as mentioned above):
- Infrastructure. The infrastructure for Windows Virtual Desktop implementation can include the option to deliver personal desktops, pooled desktops or just applications. In each case, Windows Virtual Desktop delivers a virtual machine that is hosted within an Azure subscription and uses networking, storage and computing requirements. You are charged according to the particular options you select and the resources you use.
- Windows Virtual Desktop Management Service. Windows Virtual Desktop management service offers a control panel for Windows Virtual Desktop, making management easier. What you pay for using Windows Virtual Desktop with Azure takes the cost of this service into account.
Parallels RAS Provides a Simple Licensing Model
Parallels® Remote Application Server (RAS) is a cost-effective, highly efficient service that helps deliver desktops and applications to end-user devices. Parallels RAS supports Microsoft Azure Hypervisor to host VDI, allowing organizations to provision and scale virtual workloads on-demand directly on Microsoft Azure, simplifying management. Moreover, Parallels RAS integrates with and extends the Windows Virtual Desktop experience.
Parallels RAS provides a simple concurrent-user licensing model, allowing users to establish any number of connections to Parallels RAS as long as the number of users does not exceed the number of available licenses.
You can license Parallels RAS using a prepaid subscription. How does it work?
- Licensing Parallels RAS with a prepaid subscription allows you to upgrade to a newer version whenever one becomes available.
- A subscription is purchased for a predefined period of time: either one year, two years, or three years.
- If a subscription is purchased online, it can be set to automatically renew when the subscription period ends by default.
- Subscriptions purchased through a reseller must be renewed through the reseller.
- Support is included in the cost of the subscription.
Parallels RAS is your best bet to deliver desktops and applications to remote devices. Download the free trial to reap its benefits today!
