Northwestern University's agreement with Microsoft offers Microsoft Office software, core client access licenses, and operating system upgrades for University-owned computers. An OEM (Manufacturer) version of Microsoft Windows is required to be purchased along with any new computer to be eligible for Northwestern / Microsoft Windows Enterprise licensed operating systems.
About Software for University-Owned Machines
The following Microsoft software is standard on University-owned machines:
- Microsoft 365 Professional Plus for Windows
- Microsoft 365 Professional Plus for Mac
- Microsoft Windows 10 Enterprise Desktop Operating System
- Microsoft Windows Server 2019
- Microsoft Windows Server 2016
All licensed copies of Windows can be updated to current versions of Windows. An OEM (Manufacturer) version of Microsoft Windows is required to be purchased along with any new computer to be eligible for Northwestern / Microsoft Windows Enterprise licensed operating systems.
Due to the multiple variations of Windows Server 2019/2016, media should be purchased through iBuyNU under the vendor CDWG. KMS activation for Windows Server 2019/2016 works in the same manner as other KMS activations.
Microsoft 365 Professional Plus Products Windows
The following software products are also included under this agreement. More information is available at Microsoft Office 365 Applications and Add-ins.
- Access
- Excel
- OneDrive
- OneNote
- Outlook
- PowerPoint
- Publisher
- Word
Microsoft 365 Professional Plus Products for Mac Products
The following software products are also included under this agreement. More information is available at Microsoft Office 365 Applications and Add-ins.
- Excel
- OneNote
- OneDrive
- Outlook
- PowerPoint
- Word
The following Microsoft software is not included under this agreement:
- MS SQL Server client access licenses
- MS-Visio
- MS-Project
Computers Eligible for Software Installation
All University-owned computers are covered regardless of location. The home use provision also allows software to be purchased for personal use by faculty and staff at significantly discounted prices.
Product Activation and Key Information
With Microsoft Volume Licensing for products such as Windows 10 and Microsoft Office SQL Server, users must use a new type of product activation called Volume Activation (VA).
To activate these products with VA, Northwestern IT has established a Key Management Service (KMS) host that computers need to access via the NU network periodically to activate. Activation should occur in the background and users should not have to manually process activation requests to the KMS host. Learn more about product activation and key information.
Additional Microsoft Software for University-Owned Machines
The existing Select Agreement for licensing Microsoft products remains in place. Products not covered under the newer Enterprise agreement can be licensed through the Select Agreement. University schools and departments that would like to own perpetual licenses for software can be purchased through the Select Agreement.
How to Order
- To purchase Microsoft titles such as Microsoft Office LTSC 2021 using the Select Agreement, call 877-826-1289, or email angieandbrian@cdwg.com and indicate that you are with Northwestern.
- To purchase Microsoft titles such as Visio and Project using the Select Agreement call 877-208-4881, or email angieandbrian@cdwg.com and indicate that you are with Northwestern.
- It is suggested that both licenses and media be purchased on one order from Northwestern IT's software provider unless your department already possesses the media.
Available Licenses
- Office LTSC 2021
- Microsoft Visio
- Microsoft Project
License and Install
- Eligible Users — Available to Northwestern University departments, faculty, and staff for the purpose of University-related business or research.
- Software must be installed on University-owned computers.
- Upgrades — Upgrades are no longer offered. A new license must be purchased if a newer version is required.
- Product use rights — Licensees must read Microsoft's product use rights for restrictions on use, especially as rights apply to derivative and redistributable works.
Microsoft Select Agreement Titles for Student and Personal Use
These licenses for Microsoft products are for personal use by Northwestern faculty, staff, and students. Microsoft software available for purchase for personal purposes, are indicated by the (p) OR (s) next to the software title on the list of available software web page.
How to Order
License and Install (excluding Microsoft 365 ProPlus)
- Each University employee or student is limited to one copy of each product.
- Each product includes one license and one media kit (optional), with the right to install the product on one computer.
- Products are protected by Microsoft's Registration Wizard, which allows installation up to two times on a single computer.
Use of Office Insider Program
In no case should anyone at the University Join the Office insider program, outside of designated individuals on designated test machines. Microsoft uses the Insider program to test out new feature releases, as well as updated code to identify issues before production release. Insider track versions may have major issues that cause clients to cease functioning properly. Insider Track Versions of Office for Mac, or any issues as a result of running the insider track will NOT be supported by Northwestern IT.
Available to
Cost
Free for University-owned machines, Variable for personally owned.