I'm working with a client who uses Windows 11 Enterprise trial versions on Hyper-V virtual machines. The trials last for 90 days but can be extended for up to 6 months. However, their development projects often take longer than that. Since this is all for developer-related tasks and not for production, I'm looking for cost-effective licensing options. Is there a volume license available for developers, or do they need to purchase a separate Windows 11 Pro license for every virtual machine they set up for testing?
4 Answers
What you need is actually the VDA license rather than just an enterprise license. You can go for a device-based VDA license, which allows access to one Windows Enterprise VM per licensed device. Alternatively, if you need user-based access, you might want to consider the User Subscription License which lets a single user access their Windows VM from any device, making it BYOD-friendly.
For developer environments, Microsoft generally recommends having Visual Studio Professional or a higher edition, although Visual Studio Test Professional could suffice as well. It's really about finding the right balance between your development needs and budget.
Another option could be to switch to Windows Server licenses instead of needing a Windows 11 desktop experience. This method might save costs, especially with the Datacenter SKU. But remember, if the development specifically requires Windows 11 capabilities, sticking with Windows 11 licenses is best.
Have you considered using Linux for your development work? It doesn't require any licensing fees, which can be a great way to cut down on costs.
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