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Question

Using Laptops with OEM License for Business

Sep 26, 2013 8:30PM PDT

Hello,

I run a software development company in India. Most of the work that we do is based on Linux and Mac but Project Managers and Non-Technical Staff (HR / Admin etc) use Windows.

We usually purchase Samsung or Sony Laptops that come pre-installed with Win 7 or Win 8 Home License. Apart from that we do not use any other MS product like Office or Active Directory Services. We have upgraded RAM on some of these laptops. Besides that, there were 2 users who downloaded pirated Office but we uninstalled that as soon as we found out and replaced it with Open Office or similar product.

I am now been contacted by Microsoft to do a SAM and my vendor is saying that I need to buy additional paper licenses for all these laptops as I am not allowed to use these licenses for business purpose.

Frankly, I am quite confused by this and I wanted to get opinion from the members of this forum. Please share your experience.

Thanks,
Mukul

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Re: license
Sep 26, 2013 8:35PM PDT

If you use the laptops with the pre-installed Windows (using the license code that's on the COA: Certificate of Authenticy) everything will be fine.

Kees

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Thank You
Sep 26, 2013 8:49PM PDT

Thanks a lot Kees.

One more thing, do I need to worry about the 2 users who installed Office? We have already uninstalled it and replaced it with Open Office.

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Re: Office
Sep 26, 2013 8:56PM PDT

If it's uninstalled, no reason to worry.

Kees

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What you need to worry about is
Sep 27, 2013 4:16AM PDT

did they install software you don't know about. I would do a audit yourselves and remove anything you haven't authorized. The I would develop an internal policy about using company authorized software only.

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Answer
What is haapening is you are being audited.
Sep 27, 2013 4:11AM PDT

Not a financial audit but a software audit to make sure you have licenses for all the software your using. Your Windows copies should be good as long as they have the same OS's that were purchased or paperwork if the OS's have been changed. More of the problem is that the non-techie staff have installed software that the company didn't purchase. Stuff like software someone purchased for their computer at home and they installed on their work pc.