# About perpetual software orders

A perpetual license is a type of software license that requires a one-time upfront payment. Perpetual license purchases are also called one-time purchases in the Marketplace Platform.&#x20;

Unlike a subscription plan, which requires ongoing payments to keep the license active, a perpetual license remains valid indefinitely and doesn't require recurring payments. See [Perpetual Software](/extensions/microsoft-cloud-solution-provider/products-and-programs/perpetual-software.md) to learn more about this licensing model.

## Supported Microsoft products

The Marketplace Platform supports ordering perpetual licenses for the following products:

* Microsoft Perpetual Software - Commercial
* Microsoft Perpetual Software - Education
* Microsoft Perpetual Software - Charity

These products are available for ordering through the [Products ](/modules-and-features/catalog/products.md)page in the platform:

<div data-with-frame="true"><figure><img src="/files/689Qh74fGMFJpVgG3I7C" alt=""><figcaption><p>The Products page in the Marketplace Platform.</p></figcaption></figure></div>

## Ordering process

You can order perpetual licenses for the supported Microsoft products by creating a purchase order. Purchase orders are created when you buy a product under a new agreement.

The steps to order perpetual software are like any other Microsoft product in the Marketplace Platform. For a general description of the ordering process, see [How to Buy Products in the Marketplace](/marketplace-platform/guides-and-tutorials/marketplace-for-clients/how-to-buy-products-in-the-marketplace.md). For step-by-step instructions, see [Buy Perpetual Software Licenses](/extensions/microsoft-cloud-solution-provider/additional-resources/tutorials-and-videos/perpetual-software/buy-perpetual-software-licenses.md).

## Specifics you must know

The following specifics apply to perpetual software purchases:

* Perpetual licenses require a one-time upfront payment; therefore, you can't increase or decrease the number of licenses. To buy more licenses of the same perpetual software, you must place a change order. For instructions, see Order Additional Perpetual Software Licenses.
* Once your order has been completed and your license has been successfully set up, you can download your license keys from the [Microsoft admin portal](https://admin.microsoft.com). You'll need the key to activate the software. For download instructions, see Microsoft's documentation: [Download software and product license keys](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/admin/setup/download-software-licenses-csp?view=o365-worldwide#download-software-and-product-license-keys).
* Cancellations are permitted within 30 days of the purchase date. For details, see [Manage Perpetual Software Orders](/extensions/microsoft-cloud-solution-provider/products-and-programs/perpetual-software/manage-perpetual-software-orders.md).
* Perpetual license orders appear as a **one-time purchase** on the [agreement details page](/modules-and-features/marketplace/agreements.md#subscription-details), as shown in the following image:

<div data-with-frame="true"><figure><img src="/files/lSLvYedVtb7LnWAxmIkV" alt=""><figcaption><p>One-time purchases in the Marketplace Platform.</p></figcaption></figure></div>


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.platform.softwareone.com/extensions/microsoft-cloud-solution-provider/products-and-programs/perpetual-software/about-perpetual-software-orders.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.
