Deploy an Azure VM of image Windows 10 Pro (with license)

I am trying to create a Windows VM in Azure using the Azure Portal.

The image (base OS for the VM) I selected for the VM was : Windows 10 Pro, Version 20H2 - Gen 1

But the licensing for this Image differs from windows server images.

Licensing section in basic tab of Azure VM creation also differs according to the image selected:

When selected image : Windows Server 2019 Datacenter - Gen 1

When selected image : Windows 10 Pro, Version 20H2 - Gen 1

In the pricing calculator page, I can choose the option Windows OS before selecting a VM Size. And we can check the pricing for the licence too. But does that Windows OS refers to only Windows server ? Or does it mean Windows 10 Pro or Enterprise too?

When searched in the Microsoft documentation, they are mentioning Windows 10 Enterprise only as Windows 10 image. I couldn't find deploying VM with Windows 10 Pro, version 20H2 anywhere.

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/virtual-machines/windows/windows-desktop-multitenant-hosting-deployment

Users must have one of the below subscription licenses in order to use Windows 10 images in Azure. If you do not have one of these subscription licenses, they can be purchased through your Cloud Service Partner or directly through Microsoft.

Eligible subscription licenses:

  • Microsoft 365 E3/E5
  • Microsoft 365 F3
  • Microsoft 365 A3/A5
  • Windows 10 Enterprise E3/E5
  • Windows 10 Education A3/A5
  • Windows VDA E3/E5

It is very confusing.

Is it possible to deploy an Azure VM with Windows 10 Pro, Version 20H2 image ?

If yes, how should i get the license?

  • Can i purchase that Windows 10 pro licence with the Azure VM itself by paying more?

  • Or should i get a Microsoft 365 E3 license? (But the Microsoft 365 E3/E5/F3 all provides Windows 10 Enterprise licence with it, not windows 10 pro!)

  • Would Purchasing a new Windows 10 pro retail license for this azure VM work? If yes, when this VM is removed, Can i reuse that windows 10 pro license for any of my on-premises machine or for any other azure VM?

  • Or can i use/transfer an existing Windows 10 pro license (that i already used for my on-premises machine) to this Azure VM?


To deploy a Windows 10 VM in Azure you must already own Windows 10 Enterprise E3/E5 per user or Windows Virtual Desktop Access per user licences for Windows 10, you cannot use an Azure provided licence.

You cannot use Windows 10 Pro, it must be Enterprise. Details here.