Tag Archives: CSP

Windows 10 LTSC 2021 ESUs

Extended Security Updates (ESUs) are now available for Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021, ahead of its End of Support date on 12 January 2027.

The ESUs cover eligible devices for three years post-support, until 8 January 2030, and you can purchase them through CSP or Volume Licensing. Following the usual rules, pricing doubles each year, although you can take advantage of a cheaper licence if you manage the devices with Intune or Windows Autopatch.

Read the overview and pricing details here: https://bit.ly/4yQjriJ. LicenseVerse subscribers can find explanations and more details here: https://bit.ly/4yAcuC5.

CSP Software Subscriptions price update

1-year CSP Software Subscriptions with monthly billing will see a 5% uplift from 1 October 2026, affecting all new and renewing licences from that date.

There’s no change to the pricing if you pay upfront, or to the pricing and payment options for the 3-year licences.

You’ll find details in the Partner Center announcement here: https://bit.ly/4Aj5j2T. If you find yourself frustrated that these handy announcements vanish after a year, our subscriber-exclusive Partner Center Archive contains a comprehensive record across the years. Check it out here: https://bit.ly/4j53hNG, or drop us an email for more information: info@licensingschool.co.uk.

Windows Server 2016 ESUs

Microsoft have announced the General Availability of Extended Security Updates (ESUs) for Windows Server 2016.

With support ending on 12 January 2027, you can now secure up to three years of additional paid Critical and Important security updates running through to January 2030.

Check out the announcement article for Azure Arc-enabled ESUs here: https://bit.ly/3UihFId, and availability details for the traditional ESUs through CSP here: https://bit.ly/4wYxxx0.

Minor pricing precision updates for EEA currencies

Microsoft have announced pricing adjustments for certain Microsoft 365 and Office 365 SKUs across European Economic Area (EEA) currencies from 1 July 2026.

This minor price update is required for EU settlement compliance and affects CSP, MCA-E, and Web Direct customers purchasing in EUR, DKK, NOK, SEK, and CHF. You might see small tweaks to the prices of the Frontline, Business, and Enterprise licenses (including the flavours both with and without Teams). This adjustment is completely separate from the wider July 2026 Microsoft 365 and Office 365 price changes also taking effect in July, which you can read about in our blog post here: https://bit.ly/4eNcnL7.

Check out the announcement here: https://bit.ly/4uYZG5Z.

We help subscribers track all price changes with our Exchange Rate Price Plotter: https://bit.ly/ExchangeRatePlotter. Use our Product Price Plotter to jog your memory on the July product price changes: https://bit.ly/ProductPricePlotter.

Power Apps Per App User SL returns to CSP

Microsoft announce a clarification to the January discontinuation of the Power Apps Per App User SL. The original announcement confirmed its End of Sale date as 2 January, 2026 – see our blog post here: https://bit.ly/4t4CwdV. This applied to all agreements and Microsoft swiftly removed it from the Licensing Guide and price lists. This update confirms that the change, in fact, does NOT affect CSP, and that it will return to price lists with full availability for new and renewing customers from early April. The Enterprise Agreement and MPSA End of Sale information still stands.

Find the original (updated!) article here: https://bit.ly/4b2TB2m, and the reintroduction announcement here: https://bit.ly/4szsK3N.

New Defender for Endpoint and Entra ID Add-ons in CSP

Microsoft have introduced two new CSP Add-on licences: Defender for Endpoint Plan 2 for advanced threat protection and Entra ID Plan 2 for advanced identity and access management. These discounted Add-ons are aimed at customers with Microsoft 365 E3, which already includes the Plan 1 capabilities.

CSP partners will see these options on the price list this month, and the announcement can be found here: https://bit.ly/4t9fHXm.

Extended Service Term in CSP

Microsoft announce that from April 1, 2026, a new option called the Extended Service Term (EST) will be available when CSP subscriptions expire. Customers currently have the choice to renew automatically, and if they don’t, the subscription goes into a grace period, meaning no loss of service. From April 1, 2026, the grace period will no longer exist. Instead, the options will be to either renew automatically, cancel at expiry, or leave auto-renew off and move to EST. When the subscription is in the EST a new SKU is used, and service continues – billed at an uplifted rate. EST allows customers to maintain access to their services while they decide their next steps, at which point they have flexibility to take another route.

An overview of the details and a useful timeline can be found here: https://bit.ly/47KgLIz.

Outsourcing Software Management licensing guidance document

There’s an updated (June 2025) Outsourcing Software Management licensing guidance document from Microsoft. It’s an update to the previous October 2024 version and there’s information added on CSP-Hoster solutions. Unfortunately, however, some of the information is wrong with a bit of confusion between the Flexible Virtualization Benefit and the Outsourcing on Cloud Solution Provider-Hosters rights. If you’re a Licensing School subscriber we’ll take a look at the errors and the correct licensing in our next Did You See…? training session.

Grab this new guide (with caution) here: https://bit.ly/4lDa0fQ.

Windows 10 ESUs

Microsoft release some more details about Extended Security Updates for Windows 10. Organisations can already purchase them through an Enterprise Agreement, and they’ll be available through CSP from 1 September, 2025. However, the biggest news is for consumers – we know that they’ll be available for consumers for the first time and that they’ll cost $30 for the year, but the latest article reveals that if you’re using Windows Backup to sync your settings to the cloud you’ll get ESUs at no charge. Alternatively, if you’ve got Microsoft Rewards points you can pay for the ESUs with 1,000 of them. Whichever way you choose, you’re covered for up to ten devices. Find the relevant article here: https://bit.ly/46FfB0M.

Office 365 E1 Plus

Microsoft announce that Office 365 E1 Plus is available through CSP from 1 September, 2024. It’s a special flavour of Office 365 E1 which adds on additional security and management features to Office 365 E1 and is available both with and without Teams. However, it can only be purchased in select markets in LATAM, ASEAN, India, and Central Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.

Find the announcement here: https://bit.ly/3Zlw6eZ, and a useful FAQ here: https://bit.ly/4gpRR3o. LicenseVerse is updated here: https://bit.ly/3Twqefb.