Upcoming Annual Licensing Restrictions for Microsoft and Adobe

Posted: 2026-05-18 14:33:20 Expiration: 2026-07-01 14:33:20

Each year, there are brief but significant periods when ordering Microsoft and Adobe software licenses is limited due to required renewal processes. We want to share this information in advance so departments can plan accordingly.

Microsoft License Ordering – June (and sometimes early July)

During the month of June, new Microsoft license orders are temporarily paused while the annual Microsoft contract renewal is completed with NDUS/CTS. During this period, no new Microsoft orders can be processed, regardless of billing method. In some years, this renewal process may extend into early July.

What this means for you:

New requests for Microsoft licenses (including additions for new employees) cannot be fulfilled during the renewal window.
Automated billing or new ordering systems do not bypass this restriction.
Departments must order Microsoft licenses by May 26, 2026.

Adobe License Ordering – August

While Adobe licensing is handled differently, we strongly discourage placing new Adobe orders in August. This timing often coincides with onboarding timelines, and delays can result in new employees being unable to receive Adobe Acrobat Pro or other Adobe products when they start.

In limited cases, licenses may be reassigned from users who no longer need them, or additional licenses may be added later, but this is not guaranteed and may involve delays.

Planning Ahead

To avoid disruptions:

Review upcoming hiring and software needs early.
Submit Microsoft license requests before June.
Submit Adobe license requests before August whenever possible.

We appreciate your help in planning ahead and understanding these annual constraints. Doing so helps ensure smoother on-boarding and better service for everyone.

If you have questions about software licensing or need help planning around these dates, please contact the IT Service Center.

-- NDSU IT Knowledge Base: Kristi Steinmann