Endpoint Services, MECM, M365 User Based Licensing Configuration Item
Overview
How can I convert M365 Device Based Licensing to User Based Licensing?Systems
Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager (MECM)
Intended Audience
University of Illinois IT Pros leveraging MECM, hosted by Technology Services' Endpoint Services team
General Information
As the managed M365 Office applications in MECM are configured for device-based licensing, a Configuration Item can be deployed to convert the license type to user-based.
Configuration Item/Baseline
The ‘Set Office 365 User-Based Licensing’ Configuration Item, under ‘\Assets and Compliance\Overview\Compliance Settings\Configuration Items’ in the MECM console, will set the registry key necessary to enable user-based licensing. It can be deployed via the ‘Office 365 User-Based Licensing’ Configuration Baseline, or as part of your own Configuration Baseline.
We recommend deploying it to a device collection that contains only the devices that you wish to change the licensing type on. Ensure that the deployment is set to ‘Remediate noncompliant rules where supported’. Configure the evaluation schedule and maintenance window behavior to best suit your needs.
Deployment monitoring and compliance can be tracked under ‘\Monitoring\Overview\Deployments’ in the console.
Should you need to revert to device-based licensing, the ‘Set Office 365 Device-Based Licensing’ Configuration Item can be deployed to those devices.
User Experience
- Users will need to restart any M365 apps that were open when the CI was applied. They will then be prompted to sign-in, e.g.:
- Once signed-in, the licensing type can be confirmed by:
- Opening any M365 application other than Outlook on the device.
- Selecting the ‘Account’ tab (or selecting File > Account)
User based will show 'Subscription Product for netid@illinois.edu'
Device based will show 'Subscription Product for This device'
Considerations
- Each device configured in this way will have the selected licensing type apply to all users of that device.
- We recommend not deploying the CI/CB to shared devices.
- Use of M365 apps on a device with user-based licensed will contribute to that user’s maximum number of allowed activations.
- See this article for more information on activation limits and how to remove unused activations.
- Do not deploy both ‘Set Office 365 User-Based Licensing’ and ‘Set Office 365 Device-Based Licensing’ Configuration Items to the same device.