Virtually all Microsoft applications, desktop operating systems, server operating systems, and programming tools are available for purchase via the Select Contract. This page delineates the conditions and restrictions which apply to their purchase and use.
How It Works
The Select Contract works differently than buying a retail version of software. Under the Select Contract, you buy the different parts of the software—the license, the disks, the manuals, the software upgrade insurance—all separately, and the only part you have to buy is the license.
You have two options to obtain your software under the Select Contract: you can purchase CDs or DVDs, or download your software free from the ITC Select CD Server.
Covered Products
Operating Systems
Licenses for desktop operating systems on this contract may only be
used to upgrade an existing license for Windows. They cannot be used to
install Windows on a computer that does not already have a Windows
license. This means Select operating systems licenses cannot be used on virtual
machines (Virtual PC, Parallels, Bootcamp, VMWare).
Server Operating Systems
You can get licenses for server operating systems from this contract, but there is a catch: you must buy Client Access Licenses (CALs) for each person or device that will be using the server.
Virtual PC
The licenses for Virtual PC on this contract do not include a guest operating system. This means that you must buy a operating system license from a source other than this contract to use Virtual PC legally. Note that Virtual PC for the Mac does not work on Intel-based Macs.
Applications
The contract does not provide for upgrade licenses for applications (e.g., Office). You must buy a full license and use that instead, making an upgrade the same price as the full version of the software. The exception to this is if you buy a license with Software Assurance, which costs more.
Software Assurance
Software Assurance (SA) entitles you to receive any upgrades to that license without further charge until April 30, 2010. Note that you can buy Software Assurance at the same time you buy a license, or you can buy it separately for some products at a later date.