Frequently Asked Questions | November 2013 1

Table of Contents

What’s new in Windows Embedded 8.1? ........................................................................................................................................2

What are the editions of Widows Embedded 8 family? ...........................................................................................................2

How do I acquire Windows Embedded 8 licenses for my enterprise? ...............................................................................2

What are the key enterprise features offered through Volume Licensing? .....................................................................3

What are the Windows Embedded 8 licenses offered through Volume Licensing?.....................................................3

How do I license the enterprise features? ......................................................................................................................................3

How do I get access to Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry Enterprise edition? ..............................................................4

Will I still need to purchase a license for each device from the OEM? ..............................................................................4

Can I purchase the enterprise licensing for only some of their devices, or do I need to license

ALL devices? ................................................................................................................................................................................................4

Are Windows Embedded devices considered to be Qualified Devices under Enterprise

Agreement and Open Value?...............................................................................................................................................................4

Is Windows Embedded 8 an Enterprise Product under the Enterprise Agreement? ....................................................4

Are there restrictions on which devices can be licensed for Windows Embedded 8? .................................................4

Can customers run productivity apps on their Windows Embedded devices?...............................................................4

What is the relationship between POSReady and Windows Embedded 8 SKUs / products? ..................................4

If I buy a device from an OEM, can I upgrade to Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry Pro? .........................................4

What conditions must be met for an existing device to be eligible for the upgrade Windows

Embedded 8.1 Industry Pro Upgrade license? ..............................................................................................................................4

How does the upgrade from Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry Pro to Windows Embedded

8.1 Industry Enterprise work? ...............................................................................................................................................................5

Are Downgrade Rights included with Windows Embedded 8.1 licenses? ........................................................................5

Will OEMs still provide support for the enterprise using their devices? ...........................................................................5

How does this licensing model align to the Windows 8.1 licensing model? ...................................................................5

What do these changes mean for Industry Device Program (IDP) members? ................................................................6

Will the Industry Device Program (IDP) still be available? Will that offer change or broaden? .............................6

What is Software Assurance? ...............................................................................................................................................................6

How do I acquiring Software Assurance for Windows Embedded? ....................................................................................6

What happens when Software Assurance expires on Windows Embedded 8.1? ..........................................................6

How do I acquire licenses through Volume Licensing? ............................................................................................................6

Windows Embedded 8 Licensing for Enterprises Frequently Asked Questions

Windows Embedded 8 Licensing for Enterprises

Frequently Asked Questions | November 2013 2

What’s new in Windows Embedded 8.1?

Windows Embedded 8.1 advances the vision set forward with Windows Embedded 8 to deliver the experiences that customers,

consumers, and businesses need and expect in the next generation of PCs, tablets, and industry specific devices. It’s Windows

Embedded 8 but even better.

What are the editions of Widows Embedded 8 family?

The Windows Embedded 8 editions include the following:

Edition Description

Availability:

OEM Volume

Licensing

Windows

Embedded 8

Standard

A modular operating system based on Windows 8 enhanced to

meet the needs of Intelligent Systems. It includes key Windows 8

Pro functionality plus Embedded-specific technologies. It also has

enterprise features disabled the OEM version that can be

activated through Volume Licensing. (Note: There is no version

8.1 of this product.)

Windows

Embedded 8.1 Pro

A full edition of Windows 8.1 Pro distributed through the

Embedded OEM channel with licensing terms specific to industry

devices.

Windows

Embedded 8.1

Industry Pro*

A full edition for industry devices that delivers the full capabilities

of Windows 8.1 Pro plus enhanced lockdown technologies

needed to enable line of business scenarios across a range of

different vertical markets.

(Upgrade

only)

Windows

Embedded 8.1

Industry Enterprise

A full edition for industry devices that delivers the full capabilities

of Windows 8.1 Enterprise, plus enhanced lockdown

technologies. This edition includes all the capabilities of Windows

Embedded 8.1 Industry Pro, plus premium features designed to

meet the mobility, productivity, security, and manageability

needs of today’s businesses. This edition is available only through

Software Assurance.

(SA only)

*Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry Pro Retail is also available through OEMs specifically for point-of-service (POS) devices used in retail settings.

GENERAL LICENSING, EVALUATION & ACQUISITION QUESTIONS

How do I acquire Windows Embedded 8 licenses for my enterprise?

There are two licensing scenarios: new devices or existing devices.

When purchasing a new device from an OEM, it must come with the operating system preinstalled. The following Windows

Embedded 8 editions are available preinstalled by the OEM:

Windows Embedded 8 Standard (Note: There is no version 8.1 of this product edition.)

Windows Embedded 8.1 Pro

Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry Pro (or Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry Pro Retail)

Refer to www.getwindowsembedded8.com for more information about these product editions.

Windows Embedded 8 Licensing for Enterprises

Frequently Asked Questions | November 2013 3

For existing devices, Microsoft Volume Licensing provides the path to:

Upgrade a device’s operating system to Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry Pro

Enable enterprise features that are disabled in the preinstalled OEM version of Windows Embedded 8 Standard

Enable Enterprise Sideloading for Windows 8 Apps on devices licensed for Windows Embedded 8.1 Pro or Windows Embedded

8.1 Industry Pro

Access Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry Enterprise and other benefits of Software Assurance

These Volume Licensing options are covered in further detail in the Licensing Brief.

What are the key enterprise features offered through Volume Licensing?

In addition to the features shipped on devices from OEM, additional embedded enterprise features can be activated through Volume

Licensing. The key enterprise features include the following:

DirectAccess: Allows remote users to seamlessly access resources inside a corporate network without having to launch a

separate VPN.

BranchCache: Allows users’ devices to cache files, websites, and other content from central servers, so content is not repeatedly

downloaded across the wide area network (WAN).

AppLocker: Enables IT to specify what software is allowed to run on a user's device through centrally managed but flexible

Group Policies.

Enterprise Sideloading: Deploy custom Windows 8 Apps directly to corporate devices without using the Windows Store.

Enterprise Sideloading for Windows Embedded 8.1, as its name implies, is a license for unlocking Sideloading only, not the other

Enterprise features listed above.

What are the Windows Embedded 8 licenses offered through Volume Licensing?

The following licenses are available through Volume Licensing:

Windows Embedded 8 Standard Enterprise Kit: A license through which the customer receives a key that enables the

DirectAccess, BranchCache, AppLocker, and Enterprise Sideloading features that are disabled in the OEM Windows Embedded 8

Standard edition software.

Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry Pro Upgrade: Licenses device with a qualifying operating system already installed to upgrade

to Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry Pro. Including Software Assurance provides access to Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry

Enterprise.

Enterprise Sideloading for Windows Embedded 8.1: A license through which the customer receives a key that enables the

Enterprise Sideloading feature on devices running Windows Embedded 8.1 Pro or Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry Pro.

Software Assurance for Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry Pro: Adds Software Assurance to new devices purchased with

Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry Pro, POSReady 7, or POSReady 2009 preinstalled by the OEM.

Note: You can purchase Software Assurance only within 90 days of the purchase date of the device. After 90 days, you can add

Software Assurance by purchasing the Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry Pro Upgrade with Software Assurance.

How do I license the enterprise features?

You can license the enterprise features in the following ways:

License the device for Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry Pro with Software Assurance. This provides access to Windows

Embedded 8.1 Industry Enterprise edition which includes all of the enterprise features.

Customers can license Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry Pro with Software Assurance in the following ways:

1. For newly acquired devices with Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry Pro preinstalled by the OEM, purchase Software

Assurance through Volume Licensing within 90 days of the purchase date of the new device(s).

Windows Embedded 8 Licensing for Enterprises

Frequently Asked Questions | November 2013 4

2. For existing devices, purchase Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry Pro Upgrade with Software Assurance through Volume

Licensing.

Note: Devices must be re-imaged when the Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry Enterprise edition is installed.

For devices that are licensed for Windows Embedded 8 Standard, customers can acquire the Windows Embedded 8 Standard

Enterprise Kit license to enable the DirectAccess, BranchCache, AppLocker and Sideloading features, which are present but

disabled in the OEM version of the software.

To enable Sideloading only, customers can acquire the Windows 8.1 Pro Sideloading license for devices that are licensed for

Windows Embedded 8.1 Pro or the Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry Pro Sideloading license for devices with Windows

Embedded 8.1 Industry Pro.

How do I get access to Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry Enterprise edition?

Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry Enterprise edition is offered only as a benefit of Software Assurance. To get access to Windows

Embedded 8.1 Industry Enterprise edition, the device needs to be licensed for Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry Pro with Software

Assurance.

Will I still need to purchase a license for each device from the OEM?

Yes. Every new device must come with an operating system preinstalled by the OEM.

Can I purchase the enterprise licensing for only some of their devices, or do I need to license ALL devices?

You can purchase licenses for only the devices on which you want to enable the enterprise features. You do not have to license all of

the devices through Volume Licensing.

Are Windows Embedded devices considered to be Qualified Devices under Enterprise Agreement and Open

Value?

No; they are not Qualified Devices.

Is Windows Embedded 8 an Enterprise Product under the Enterprise Agreement?

No; Windows Embedded 8 is an Additional Product under the Enterprise Agreement.

Are there restrictions on which devices can be licensed for Windows Embedded 8?

Yes. Windows Embedded 8 is for industry devices only.

Can customers run productivity apps on their Windows Embedded devices?

No; as industry devices, they do not qualify for running productivity apps.

What is the relationship between POSReady and Windows Embedded 8 SKUs / products?

Windows Embedded 8 Industry Pro was the next version of POSReady 7 (and Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry Pro is the next

version of Windows Embedded 8 Industry Pro). Windows Embedded 8 Standard is the next version of Windows Embedded Standard

7.

If I buy a device from an OEM, can I upgrade to Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry Pro?

Yes; as long as you have a qualifying operating system on the device from the OEM, you can upgrade by purchasing the Windows

Embedded 8.1 Industry Pro Upgrade license through Volume Licensing. You can also attach Software Assurance to this upgrade

license.

What conditions must be met for an existing device to be eligible for the upgrade Windows Embedded 8.1

Industry Pro Upgrade license?

Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry Pro is available through Volume Licensing as an upgrade license only. It does not replace the need

to purchase the initial licensed operating system software product preinstalled on new devices. Each device that runs the Windows

Windows Embedded 8 Licensing for Enterprises

Frequently Asked Questions | November 2013 5

Embedded 8.1 Industry Pro upgrade must first be licensed to run one of the qualifying operating systems identified below—

otherwise the device will not have a valid, legal Windows Embedded license.

Each of these conditions must be met in order for a base device to be eligible for an upgrade license:

Software under the qualifying operating system license must already be installed on the device that will be assigned the Volume

Licensing upgrade. See chart below of preinstalled OEM versions that are eligible for upgrade.

You must remove the existing qualifying operating system from the device in order to deploy the Volume Licensing upgrade

license, unless the device is covered by Software Assurance for Windows Embedded.

If you wish to install or run more than one licensed operating system at one time (including the qualifying operating system),

you may optionally attach Software Assurance to their Volume Licensing upgrade license.

The following operating systems qualify for the Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry Pro Upgrade through Volume Licensing:

Windows Embedded for Point of Service (WEPOS)

Windows Embedded POSReady 2009 and POSReady 7

Windows XP Professional for Embedded Systems

Windows Vista Business for Embedded Systems and Windows Vista Ultimate for Embedded Systems

Windows 2000 Professional for Embedded Systems

Windows NT Embedded for Embedded Systems

Windows 7 Professional for Embedded Systems

Windows 7 Ultimate for Embedded Systems

Windows XP Embedded

Windows Embedded Standard 7, 2009 and Windows Embedded 8 Standard

Windows Embedded 8 and 8.1 Pro

Windows Embedded 8 and 8.1 Industry Pro: Both General and Retail

How does the upgrade from Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry Pro to Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry

Enterprise work?

The devices being upgraded must be re-imaged when the Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry Enterprise edition is installed.

Are Downgrade Rights included with Windows Embedded 8.1 licenses?

Customers with a valid license for Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry obtained through Volume Licensing program are eligible to use

Windows Embedded 8 Industry, Windows Embedded POSReady 7 and Windows Embedded POSReady 2009 in place of the version

they have licensed. The customers shall not be able to use the operating system on any other device other than the POS.

Will OEMs still provide support for the enterprise using their devices?

Yes; device support continues to be provided by the OEM. You can buy premium support through Volume Licensing; however it will

not extend to the device, just the operating system or software.

How does this licensing model align to the Windows 8.1 licensing model?

Windows Embedded 8.1 industry model is completely aligned with the Windows 8.1 Pro licensing model. The Windows Embedded 8

Standard licensing model is a slightly different with only one key available to unlock the enterprise features for the customers. There

are no other editions or keys available for this product.

Windows Embedded 8 Licensing for Enterprises

Frequently Asked Questions | November 2013 6

What do these changes mean for Industry Device Program (IDP) members?

IDP is a licensing program that enables enterprises to license the connection of devices to backend Microsoft assets for an entire

location and is separate from this SKU offering that licenses a set of enterprise relevant features on the operating system of the

device.

Will the Industry Device Program (IDP) still be available? Will that offer change or broaden?

IDP will continue to be available and is a completely separate offering.

What is Software Assurance?

Software Assurance includes a core set of benefits to help improve workforce productivity, streamline software deployment, and

reduce costs. Software Assurance also provides the greatest flexibility for how you use Windows Embedded 8 as it includes access to

enterprise offerings and use rights not available through other licensing programs.

Software Assurance is a program that helps customers with their changing IT, deployment, and support needs with 24x7 support,

deployment planning services, end-user and technical training, and the latest Microsoft software releases, along with unique

technologies and extended use rights to enable more flexible deployment, device and user options. Software Assurance has been

available for over a decade. Though it was once viewed as simply an “insurance policy” that offered free software upgrades, since

2001 Software Assurance expanded greatly and is now recognized by leading organizations and industry analysts as essential for

getting the most out of their Microsoft volume licensing purchases. Software Assurance provides access to new software releases as

they become available. Software Assurance also offers extended use rights to deploy certain products using a private or public cloud

infrastructure, and to accommodate a greater variety of devices and worker preferences.

How do I acquiring Software Assurance for Windows Embedded? You can cover your Windows Embedded licenses with Software Assurance for Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry Pro in the following

ways:

When purchasing a Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry Pro Upgrade license through Volume Licensing, you may also acquire

Software Assurance for that license.

Software Assurance is automatically included in certain Volume Licensing programs such as Enterprise Agreement,

Enterprise Subscription Agreement, Open Value, Open Value Subscription, and Enrollment for Education Solutions.

For new devices with Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry Pro, POSReady 7, or POSReady 2009 preinstalled by the OEM, you can

purchase Software Assurance for Windows Embedded 8.1 through the Open License or Select Plus programs within 90 days of the

device purchase.

What happens when Software Assurance expires on Windows Embedded 8.1?

When you license a device with Software Assurance, the Software Assurance benefits for that device are available for the term of the

Software Assurance coverage only. Note, when acquired under a non-subscription license, Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry

Enterprise use rights are perpetual for the licensed device.

How do I acquire licenses through Volume Licensing?

Contact your Microsoft representative or Microsoft Volume Licensing reseller to acquire licenses through Microsoft Volume

Licensing.

To find a Microsoft Volume Licensing reseller:

In the United States, call (800) 426-9400 or visit http://pinpoint.microsoft.com/.

In Canada, call the Microsoft Resource Centre at (877) 568-2495.

Outside the United States or Canada, contact your local Microsoft subsidiary. To locate licensing information for your local

subsidiary, visit http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/index/worldwide.mspx.

Windows Embedded 8 Licensing for Enterprises

Frequently Asked Questions | November 2013 7

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