Commercial software intelligenceEvidence checked · 8 September 2026
SkuTrace

Commercial product change, preserved as evidence.

SK-2026-152 · Licensing models & usage

Microsoft moves new non-EA Volume Licensing business exclusively to Volume Licensing Central

Microsoft moved new non-EA Volume Licensing package creation, renewals, extensions and CICR work to Volume Licensing Central after the legacy eAgreements and VLCM interfaces became read-only on 24 July 2026. Microsoft published an end-of-July retirement target for the legacy interfaces and retained 11 August as the fifth and final adoption call in the transition series.

VL Central required for new non-EA business

Commercial transition

Previous stateDuring parallel production, partners could create non-EA Volume Licensing packages in either Volume Licensing Central Contracts or the legacy eAgreements and VLCM interfaces.
→
New stateFrom 24 July 2026, the legacy eAgreements web interface and VLCM Smart Client are read-only for all non-EA programs, making Volume Licensing Central the only place for new non-EA package creation, renewals, extensions and CICR transactions.

Who is affected

Microsoft Volume Licensing partners transacting Open Value, Open Value Subscription, SPLA, ISV Royalty, Campus/EES, Select and Select Plus non-EA programs.

Action required

Use Volume Licensing Central Contracts for all new non-EA package creation, renewals, extensions and CICR work, and complete any remaining operational transition away from eAgreements and VLCM.

Evidence boundary

Microsoft's July 2026 guidance states that eAgreements and VLCM became read-only on 24 July for non-EA programs and publishes full retirement by the end of July as the retirement timeline. The 11 August milestone is the fifth and final adoption call; this record does not restate 11 August as the legacy-tool retirement date.

Timeline

  1. Non-EA programs generally available in VL Central Contracts

    Microsoft enabled the remaining seven non-EA programs in Volume Licensing Central Contracts.

  2. Fourth adoption call

    Microsoft published the revised retirement timeline and transition guidance during the July adoption call series.

  3. Legacy interfaces became read-only

    eAgreements Web and the VLCM Smart Client became read-only for non-EA programs; VL Central became the only place to transact new non-EA business.

  4. Final adoption call

    Microsoft scheduled the fifth and final adoption call for transition and retirement support.

Official sources