Microsoft Licensing Updates for December 2024

We are almost ready to launch our new website (stay tuned!) but not quite yet. So this month I am sharing the latest Microsoft licensing updates here on my LinkedIn. From January 2025 you will be able to find the licensing update on the LicenseQ website.

Main updates for this month:

New Shared Mode for Windows 365 Frontline

Microsoft has announced a new Shared Mode for Windows 365 Frontline, which is now available in public preview. The original mode, now referred to as Dedicated Mode, is designed for users with staggered working hours. It allows you to provision personalized Cloud PCs for up to three users per Windows 365 Frontline license, as long as the Cloud PCs are used non-concurrently.

The new Shared Mode is ideal for scenarios where a single Cloud PC needs to be accessed by multiple users for short, ad-hoc periods, typically for specific tasks. Only one person can use the Cloud PC at a time, and all user data is wiped when they sign out.

Get Licensing Ready is retiring

The only free resource for Microsoft Licensing training, provided directly by Microsoft, is retiring. This resource has been maintained by the Licensing School, which is now hinting at something new to replace it. Let’s stay tuned to see what’s next!

Updates to the Product Terms?

Microsoft Azure

• Clarified language around the Azure pricing model: Fixed pricing does not apply to Azure Spot, Azure Reservations, or Azure Communication Services. You must check the Azure portal for pricing and any foreign exchange adjustments.
• Removed Azure Hyperscaler from the Azure Hybrid Benefit (AHB) table, indicating it is no longer eligible for coverage under AHB.
• Azure Communication Services: Added clarification that this can only be used for business purposes.
• Workload Hub: Noted that publisher workloads in the Workload Hub are non-Microsoft products and are therefore not covered under their terms and conditions.
• Azure Arc: Moved to its own section with a new clause stating that you must have Software Assurance (SA) or software subscriptions for Windows Server or SQL Server to use certain Azure Arc-enabled features. This likely refers to the new PAYG (Pay-As-You-Go) feature.
• All other clauses remained unchanged.

Microsoft 365

• Updated license prerequisites for Defender Vulnerability Management: The Frontline Worker SKU has been removed and consolidated into the Add-on SKU. Additionally, Defender for Endpoint F2 no longer qualifies for Vulnerability Management.

Upcoming changes

These are reminders of upcoming changes (as I have mentioned these previously):

December 2024:

New billing plan for Copilot editions in CSP: Annual license, monthly billing with a 5% price increase.

January 2025:

Microsoft Fabric: Successor of Power BI Premium.

Get Licensing Ready: Will no longer exist (learning software for partners).

Soft start of Microsoft EA's Cloud-only into MCA-E: Microsoft Direct.

April 2025:

Adjusted billing plan for all Cloud Subscriptions in CSP: Annual license, monthly billing with a 5% price increase.

Teams Phone Standard: $10 per user per month.

Power BI Pro: $14 per user per month.

Power BI Premium: $24 per user per month.

Promotions for CSP

Until 31 December 2024

• Microsoft 365 Copilot: 15% discount for purchases between 10 and 300 seats (not to exceed promo period).
• Additional value from Microsoft, including 2.5 hours of end-user training and enablement materials.
• For more details, visit aka.ms/CopilotGettingStarted.

Until 31 January 2025

• Windows 365 CSP 15% promo: For Windows 365 Business, Enterprise, and Frontline for new Windows 365 customers on CSP. Available for both Monthly and Annual subscriptions, only for new-to-Windows 365 customers.

Until 30 June 2025

• Microsoft 365 E3: 15% discount on annual commitment for net-new M365 E3 customers. No early M365 E3 Subscription or test license on tenant allowed.

Until 31 December 2025

• Dynamics Bridge to the Cloud promo: Up to 40% for on-prem Dynamics customers who move to D365 (not for new customers).
• Available to existing Dynamics on-premises commercial customers (as of September 1, 2022) with an active Enhancement Plan (EP). Promo not available for new customers.

January 1st - June 30th 2025

• Microsoft 365 E5: 15% discount on annual commitment for eligible customers (1 - 2,400 licenses).

End of Support:

SQL Server 2014 Extended Security Updates:

• Started: 10-07-2024 (Year 1)
• Year 2: 10-07-2025
• Year 3: 10-07-2026.

Windows Server 2012 Extended Security Updates:

• Started: 13-10-2023 (Year 1)
• Year 3: 13-10-2025.