Does IU's agreement with Microsoft mean that I don't have to buy an operating system with my new computer?

Under the IU/Microsoft Campus Agreement, neither individuals nor departments at Indiana University are permitted to purchase a computer without Windows and then install a copy of Windows obtained through the agreement. You cannot omit the operating system from any computer you purchase, nor receive credit from Microsoft or its distributors, as a result of the agreement. You must purchase a Windows license before you may legally upgrade to a version provided by IU. By buying a computer with a version of Windows pre-installed, you are purchasing a Windows license.

Note: Mac OS and Mac OS X qualify as previous versions of the operating system for the purposes of this agreement; thus, you may install a version of Windows obtained from IU on a Macintosh computer. See this Microsoft brief on Volume Licensing.

Since IU has the legal right to "upgrade" a pre-existing Windows license (but does not have the right to grant a license), you can upgrade any copy of an older operating system under the agreement. Because of the agreement, there is little reason to buy a computer that comes with software package bundles, since you can get free software from IUware or purchase CDs at greatly reduced cost on your campus. (For locations, see Software available through IU's agreement with Microsoft, and consult the "Acquiring the software" section.) Both institutional and personal purchases are authorized in this manner, so when negotiating a purchase, you may wish to ask the vendor to omit the applications (but not the operating system), and lower the price accordingly.

For the terms of the IU/Microsoft Campus Agreement, see License Agreements, and then click Microsoft.

Users can also install Windows on Macintosh systems that use the Intel processor. See How do I run Windows or Windows programs on my Mac?

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