Upgrade to Horizon 8
Learn why and how to upgrade to Horizon 8 for secure delivery of virtual desktops and apps with a modern platform that supports any cloud for today’s future ready workforce. Based on new nomenclature, the first release version is 2006 for the year 2020 and the month of June as the build release date. Subsequent versions will follow this nomenclature.
Reasons to Upgrade to Horizon 8
Hybrid and Multi-Cloud
Customers can deploy virtual desktops and apps on more hybrid and multi-cloud options that leverage a global entitlement layer and have access to simplified management capabilities that connect Horizon pods, sites and clouds.
Improved Instant Clones
All Horizon customers will now get the benefit of Instant Clones, which provisions desktops in seconds, now with reduced memory requirements through smart provisioning.
Optimized Experience for Collaboration
Optimized audio and video support for Microsoft Teams, Zoom and other communication and collaboration tools provides a better user experience and increases productivity.
Enhanced Profile and Personalization
Dynamic Environment Manager is now the profile and personalization solution for all Horizon Editions.
APIs for Automation
Comprehensive REST APIs enable integration and automation of rich capabilities, including monitoring, entitlements and user and machine management.
Linux Hosted Apps
Apps can now be published from a Linux server helping reduce costs associated with licensing.
Licensing Upgrade Process
Upgrade Eligibility
Licenses will be upgraded to the new version according to these rules:
- Only licenses, or portion of licenses, that have active support and subscription contracts as of the day when VMware Horizon 8 becomes generally available (in the following known as "the GA date") will be eligible for upgrade.
- If a subscription has expired or will expire prior to the GA date you will retain access to any existing VMware Horizon licenses, but you will not be eligible to upgrade to VMware Horizon 8 license keys.
- If your support and subscription has expired prior to the GA date, you can choose to reinstate it later. If you do so, you will be eligible to upgrade to VMware Horizon 8 licenses at that time.
Preparing for Your License Upgrade
To ensure a problem-free license upgrade, we request your cooperation in verifying that your license and subscription data are correct. Please take the time to review your account and contact Support if the information is not consistent with your expectation. If corrections are needed, please make them prior to the delivery of your Horizon 8 licenses.
How to Get Horizon 8
How to Get Horizon 8 Licenses
To upgrade a product to the new version:
- Log into My VMware using your VMware.com account credentials.
- Go to Accounts > License Keys. Or, when you receive an alert for a subscription upgrade, click “Upgrade Licenses” in the alert. This will take you to the License Keys page.
- Select “Upgrade License Keys” from the “I Want To” dropdown.
Note: If no folders or products appear, you may not have permissions to upgrade license keys on any of the folders.
- Select a folder from the folder list. All products that you are entitled to upgrade will be displayed. When you select a product, all of the licenses for that product will appear.
- To filter the data, expand the filter and input the order number, contract number, license key or other search criteria, and click “Apply Filter.” The related product that is eligible for upgrade will be displayed in the results.
- Enter the quantity of licenses to upgrade. You can select all or a few licenses.
The system deactivates your current license for you. New licenses are delivered in the same folder as the original license key. If any quantities of the current key remain un-upgraded, new licenses keys are generated for the remaining portion of the current product and will be displayed in the confirmation process.
How to Upgrade a License Key
The ability to upgrade a license key depends on:
- The permissions associated with the folder where the license key sits.
- Eligibility of license entitlement for a subscription upgrade (associated with the license key).
- The date the new product version becomes available.
If you cannot upgrade, contact the Super User associated with that particular account or VMware Support .
- To upgrade a product to the new version:
Log into My VMware using your VMware.com account credentials. - Go to Accounts > License Keys. Or, when you receive an alert for a subscription upgrade, click “Upgrade Licenses” in the alert. This will take you to the License Keys page.
- Select “Upgrade License Keys” from the “I Want To” dropdown.
Note: If no folders or products appear, you may not have permissions to upgrade license keys on any of the folders.
- Select a folder from the folder list. All products that you are entitled to upgrade will be displayed. When you select a product, all of the licenses for that product will appear.
- To filter the data, expand the filter and input the order number, contract number, license key or other search criteria, and click “Apply Filter.” The related product that is eligible for upgrade will be displayed in the results.
- Enter the quantity of licenses to upgrade. You can select all or a few licenses.
The system deactivates your current license for you. New licenses are delivered in the same folder as the original license key. If any quantities of the current key remain un-upgraded, new licenses keys are generated for the remaining portion of the current product and will be displayed in the confirmation process
Expected Timeframe to Receive License Keys
Upgrades will be available on the portal shortly after Horizon 8 becomes generally available. All license keys with active support and subscription contracts with an end date on or after General Availability are eligible for an upgrade.