Microsoft Volume Licensing and Services

Microsoft Volume Licensing and Services

Microsoft Volume Licensing and Services

Microsoft Volume Licensing is a service offered by Microsoft for organizations that require multiple licenses, but not the software media, packaging and documentation supplied with the full packaged product (FPP). 

The advantages of Microsoft Volume Licensing include lower price per installation, two- or three-year license agreements and product use rights. An example of product use rights is copying the software for simultaneous use on multiple computers and devices.


Microsoft advises organizations to consider three areas before purchasing Microsoft Volume Licensing:

  • Size and type of organization
  • Products desired
  • How the products will be used

Microsoft may be able to tailor some of its programs to meet the needs of specific industries, such as schools and universities, manufacturing or government agencies and municipalities.


Typically, a volume license key (VLK) limits the user organization to a fixed number of installations. It also often requires recording the number of installations, keeping the key confidential and possibly even requiring the user organization to be exposed to a software licensing audit to ensure compliance with the terms of the license agreement.