Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise: RDS, VDI, shared PCs
Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise
per user per month, excluding VAT
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Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise licenses the Office applications for organisations whose machines are not one person to one device. It supports shared computer activation, the mode required for Remote Desktop Services, virtual desktop infrastructure, shift-worker machines and any computer several people sign in to with their own accounts, and it supports device-based licensing, where the licence sits on the device rather than the user and no Microsoft Entra account is required to use it. Those two capabilities are the reason to choose it over Microsoft 365 Apps for Business, which supports neither on its own.
What it is
Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise is the applications-only plan in Microsoft's enterprise range. Its distinguishing feature is not the applications themselves, which are the same, but how they can be licensed and activated.
Who it is for
Organisations with shared machines: terminal servers, virtual desktops, shift-worker PCs, clinical workstations, shop-floor computers, and anywhere several people use one device with their own accounts.
The two capabilities that justify it
Shared computer activation. Required whenever multiple users share a computer and sign in with their own accounts. Any plan including Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise supports it, as does Microsoft 365 Business Premium, which is the only Business plan that does. Activation on shared computers does not count against the usual five-device limit.
Device-based licensing. The licence is assigned to the device, so anyone who signs in can use the applications, no Microsoft Entra account is required to activate, and there is no limit on the number of sign-ins. Microsoft positions this for shared and open-access scenarios, and notes the device must be synchronised to Microsoft Entra ID for the licence to be assigned.
Also included
The standard subscription mode: installation on up to five desktops or laptops, five tablets and five mobile devices per user, with the licence carried in the user profile.
Operational detail worth planning for
A shared computer licensing token is valid for 30 days and is renewed automatically while the user is signed in and using the applications. If a user does not sign in to that machine for 30 days, the token can expire and a new one is fetched on next use, which requires reliable internet connectivity to the Office Licensing Service. Without a valid token the applications enter reduced functionality mode: documents can be viewed and printed but not created or edited.
What it does not include
Email hosting, cloud file storage and Teams. This plan licenses applications only. Shared computer activation is not available for Office for Mac in any plan.
Why choose this over Microsoft 365 Apps for Business?
Shared computer activation and device-based licensing. Apps for Business supports neither on its own; Microsoft documents shared computer activation as a Business Premium entitlement rather than an Apps for Business feature.
What is device-based licensing?
The licence sits on the device rather than the user. Anyone who signs in can create and edit documents, no Microsoft Entra account is needed to activate, and there is no sign-in limit. The device must be synchronised to Microsoft Entra ID for the licence to be assigned.
How long does a shared computer licensing token last?
30 days, renewed automatically while the user is signed in and using the applications. If nobody signs in for 30 days the token can expire and a new one is fetched on next use, so the machine needs reliable connectivity to the Office Licensing Service.
What happens if activation fails?
The applications enter reduced functionality mode: documents can be viewed and printed but not created or edited, and the user sees a notice that most features are turned off.
Does it include email and storage?
No. This plan licenses the applications only. Email and cloud storage come from a Microsoft 365 or Office 365 plan.
- Vendor
- Microsoft
- Category
- Productivity
- Type
- SaaS
- Billing
- Monthly
- Commitment
- 1-Year
- Available terms
- Monthly, 1-Year
- SKU
- MST-NCE-101-C100
- 1You request the licence, or add it to the cart.
- 2I confirm price, term and seats, and check your VAT number in VIES. Businesses in the EU only.
- 3You pay before we provision, under the CSP Marketplace Terms. The invoice comes from Michal Jatczak, a sole trader registered in Malta, trading as ITSailor. Reverse charge for an EU VAT number that validates in VIES.
- 4Your authorised signatory accepts the Microsoft Customer Agreement before activation.
- 5I place the order with Pax8 within one business day of payment.