Arrow Microsoft Solutions FAQs
Questions about any Microsoft products? Get answers now.
Windows 10 IoT Enterprise
Get all of your Windows 10 IoT Enterprise questions answered. In addition, discover more about WES7 end of support and everything about LTSC.
Windows 10 IoT Core
Get answers to all your pressing questions surrounding the Windows 10 IoT Core. In addition, as our customer, you have access to further resources in FAQs.
Windows Server IoT
Get answers to 100s of questions including general questions, features and functionality, licensing and use rights and comparisons of different versions of the Windows Server IoT. In addition, discover other resources available to you as our customer.
Embedded IoT FAQs
Who can join the Microsoft Embedded IoT program?
Any company that builds dedicated appliance solutions.
Is there a Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ) for Microsoft Embedded IoT?
The MOQ is simply quantity 1
Are Microsoft Embedded IoT products stripped down versions of the regular editions?
No, in many cases they are 100% bit for bit the same with only the licensing terms being different in that they must be used in a dedicated appliance scenario. However, there are specific editions that do have the capability of being stripped down if needed.
My Microsoft Embedded IoT product does not have a product key. Where can I get the product key?
You will use the Microsoft PID/Key request form to request a Microsoft product key from Microsoft. Contact our Arrow Microsoft team to get the form and provide assistance.
How long are Microsoft Embedded IoT products available?
The Windows 10 IoT product family has a 10-year lifecycle while all the other products have 15 years. You can rest easy knowing that your Windows product of choice will be available for years.
What is delivered when I order a Microsoft Embedded IoT product?
The Microsoft Embedded products are all COA sticker licenses only with no media and in some cases no product key depending on the product. OEM’s are responsible to download the media from the Microsoft Software Order Center and build their own custom image.
Is there a place that has information on getting started with Microsoft Embedded IoT program?
Yes, we have many videos on getting started.
Are Microsoft Server products available within the Embedded IoT program?
Yes, all Microsoft server products are available as well as the Microsoft SQL products.
How long is the support for the Embedded IoT family of products?
All Microsoft products including the Embedded IoT family have 10 years of support with the first 5 being Mainstream support and the next 5 being extended support.
How is the Open Volume channel licensing policies different from the OEM IoT channel?
Open Volume licensing is targeted at end-user companies from small to large and is for general purpose use devices/systems. There is no legal agreement to sign and the licenses are purchased under Volume Agreements which are tied to the end-user company. Open Volume licenses must be purchased from an authorized distributor within the same region as the end-user company. OEM IoT licenses are targeted at OEM’s that build dedicated appliance devices/systems. It requires signing a legal agreement with Microsoft to become an indirect OEM for appliances. The dedicated appliance devices are not for general purpose use.
What is “Downgrade Rights� and how is it different for the OEM IoT channel vs other Microsoft licensing channels?
Downgrade Rights are always an end-user right and provide the right to downgrade and run an older version of a product generally for compatibility reasons. Because the OEM IoT channel products have 10 to 15 years of life, the older products are still available. As a result, Microsoft typically prefers you to use the version that you are purchasing if it is still available. For that reason, if an OEM IoT product is still available, then downgrade rights are not an option. You must await the OEM IoT product to go End of Life and then downgrade rights become available. When a product is still available, you do have the right to “Migration Rights.� See more about Migrations Rights below.
What is “Migration Rights�?
Migration Rights provide the right to run an older version of a product temporarily and is required to migrate your solution from an older version to a newer version. If you’re an OEM and you want to move your solution from Windows 7 to Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2019, you can start purchasing the license for Windows 10 IoT Ent and yet continue to load your older Windows 7 image (24 mos maximum). If your device is a medical device or something that requires extended testing and approval processes, you can often be granted 48 months. All units you sold/shipped with the migrated and older image must be upgraded/re-imaged with the newer licensed product within the 24 month time restriction.
Legal Agreement FAQs
Is there a Microsoft legal agreement that must be signed?
Yes, the Microsoft Customer License Agreement (CLA) must be signed electronically and Arrow facilitates the process when ready. Contact Arrow and msembedded@arrowelectronics.com.au to get a copy of the CLA.
Is there a cost associated with signing the Microsoft agreement?
There is no cost to sign and no financial commitment or minimum purchase requirement.
General FAQs
I have additional questions on Microsoft. Who can I contact?
Send your questions and contact information to msembedded@arrowelectronics.com.au