I'm a high school English teacher, and since we don't have an IT department, I've been asked to take on the role of tech coordinator this year. The math department recently ordered 30 new devices that were supposed to be Chromebooks, but they actually turned out to be PCs running Windows 11 Home. We need to upgrade them to Windows 11 Pro so that we can add them to our domain. However, I'm not sure where to get a volume license for this. We don't have a relationship with any Microsoft partner or reseller, and those I've contacted say they don't handle one-off sales. Is it possible to buy a volume license for such a small number of devices? Or do we need to establish a partnership with a reseller? Should we just buy individual licenses for each device, or is returning them and getting the right machines an option? Any guidance would be greatly appreciated as I'm feeling a bit lost here.
5 Answers
Microsoft does offer a licensing program for schools where you pay a flat rate per staff member for access to various licenses. You might want to reach out to a company like CDW-G for tailored advice and pricing options.
I suggest you just return all the PCs and get the Chromebooks you actually need. It will save everyone a lot of trouble in the long run since those PCs aren't what you were aiming for in the first place.
Honestly, you might find that the licensing costs will end up being more than just returning these PCs and buying Chromebooks instead. The headache of upgrading and managing Windows devices is often more trouble than it's worth, especially if you're already using Chromebooks elsewhere in the school.
Have you thought about contacting a Managed Service Provider (MSP) for help? They could assist you with the licensing process. And if you already have Microsoft 365 setup, that might help with locating options for volume licenses too.
Definitely a smart move! They might also guide you in setting up a domain for the new machines.
If you're looking for support specific to schools, consider checking out forums like r/k12sysadmin or EduGeek. They can offer more targeted advice on licensing and vendor suggestions.
Good point! If your school has a solid base of Chromebooks, it might be easier and more efficient to stick with them.