Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher Program

The Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher Program (MAR) program enables PC Refurbishers to purchase low-cost genuine Microsoft software for preinstallation on newly refurbished PCs. Microsoft Authorized Refurbishers refurbish at least 20,000 PCS per year, and you can find a full list of them here.

Previously, Microsoft offered a Registered Refurbisher Program (RRP) for small and medium-sized Refurbishers (less than 1,000 refurbished units per month). Microsoft discontinued the Registered Refurbisher Program in 2020. Becoming a Microsoft Third Party Refurbisher is a rough replacement for being a Microsoft Registered Refurbisher.

The Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher program is Microsoft’s program for refurbishers who refurbish at least 20,000 PCs per year and satisfy Microsoft’s requirements for enrolment.

Microsoft Authorized Refurbishers are the only organisations that Microsoft permits to buy licenses for refurbished PCs directly from them.

The first and most important benefit of MAR is low-cost genuine Microsoft software. Software available for preinstall is based upon license type, as explained below.

Example: In the US, a 5-pack of commercial licenses of Windows 11 Home can be purchased for $85-$90, which amounts to less than $20 per license.

In addition to low-cost software, participating in the MAR program allows a Refurbisher:

• Access to exclusively discounted genuine Microsoft licenses for refurbished computers.
• Opportunity to create market differentiation through the sale of a refurbished PC with genuine Windows 10 operating system software and Office
• Ability to sub-distribute genuine software licenses to 3rd Party Refurbishers (TPR)
• Recognition and evangelism as a Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher
• Opportunity to build an enhanced relationship with Microsoft and a Microsoft Account Manager
• Access to engineering support, technical trainings, and tools to help simplify the deployment process
• Non-profit software license availability through our Citizenship program
• Access to exclusive Microsoft events

Microsoft Authorized Refurbishers have access to Commercial Licenses and Citizenship Licenses. Which license a refurbisher will use is determined by who eventually receives the refurbished PC. Microsoft titles available at a discount are determined by the license type.

Commercial Licenses are available for all of MAR refurbishers' customers. Available software includes Windows 10 and 11, and for each Home, Pro, and Citizenship.

Citizenship Licenses are available to select groups of customers including educational institutions, non-profit organizations, low-income customers and other Microsoft approved customers. Available software includes Windows 7 Professional, Windows Multipoint Server 2011 Premium, and Microsoft Office 2010 Home & Business.

Enrollment as a MAR requires significant vetting from Microsoft. Successful applicants to the Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher Program have a proven track record of excellence in Refurbishing, a large global geographic reach, data security to an impeccable standard, and demonstrable financial stability among other things.

Microsoft provides information about becoming a MAR at their MAR Resource Center.

The requirements for becoming a MAR are quite extensive. To be considered for the Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher Program, a Refurbisher must have:

• Sufficient source of secondary PCs that are eligible for MAR Windows licensing (PCs with a previous Windows operating system that have been used for a minimum of 6 months).
• Capability to deliver high quality refurbishment, technical capability to pre-install genuine Windows operating systems correctly, efficiently, and free of software defects, malware and viruses. This includes adequate systems for data wiping and reporting.
• Data security and environmental industry certifications are preferred
• Alignment with Microsoft MAR licensing requirements, helps support efforts to battle piracy
• Proven track record as a 3rd Party Refurbisher (TPR), achieving high volume purchasing trajectory. Successful TPR provides the best path to become a MAR
• Large, global geographic reach
• Distribution and services capabilities to support other refurbisher’s storage
• Financial stability and strong credit history
• Appropriate security measures in place to ensure the safe evidence, storage and handling of Microsoft licenses
• Value adds to the MAR sales channel; applicants must differentiate from other MARs in the market. This could be through verticals, form factors, services/solutions, etc.
• Microsoft Authorized Refurbishers are subject to audit to ensure they meet various program requirements, including environmental and data security standards. Records should be kept in case of an audit. While the word "audit" conjures a fearful image, the program is designed to be easy to follow and will not impact good-faith participants.

The Microsoft Registered Refurbisher program were small and midsized Refurbishers who were authorized to install genuine Microsoft software on refurbished PCs.

In 2020, Microsoft ended the Microsoft Registered Refurbisher Program (RRP). To replace this program, small and midsized Refurbishers can become a Microsoft Third Party Refurbisher.

A Microsoft Third Party Refurbisher is approved by a Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher to buy legitimate Microsoft Windows licenses for refurbished PCs. Once approved, a Third Party Refurbisher buys their licenses from the Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher that approved them.

The biggest benefit of becoming a Microsoft Third Party Refurbisher is access to low-cost genuine Microsoft software. In addition, further benefits include:

• Recognition, branding & status as a Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher device to reseller, end user & ITAD customers
• The opportunity to ‘brand’ the devices with the Genuine Microsoft Refurbisher Label (GMRL) onto the refurbished PC’s
• Access to cost-effective licenses to create value in the sale of a refurbished PC with a preinstalled genuine Windows 10 operating system
• Transformation to digital licensing; enhancing customer experience & piracy reduction
• Joint marketing & demand generation opportunities with key channel reseller partners (i.e., Amazon, TigerDirect, BestBuy)
• Access to technical trainings and tools to simplify the deployment process
• Access to syndicated web content to promote your offerings to end customers

The enrolment process involves gaining approval to become a Third Party Refurbisher from a Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher.

Each Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher has a different sign-up process.

With traditional MARs, the approval involves: requesting the Third Party Refurbisher terms and conditions, accepting those conditions, and proving that you have the infrastructure to install genuine Windows licenses. This can take a week or longer. For software-as-a-service Microsoft Authorized Refurbishers, such as SMART, signup takes only five minutes.

The only requirement to enroll is that the applicant must be (or become) a PC refurbisher.

Once admitted to the program, four basic requirements must be met with each refurbished PC:

1. Only PCs that are at least six months old and have an original valid Windows Certificate of Authenticity may be refurbished
2. Refurbished PCs must first have their hard drives' data wiped in accordance with recognized standards
3. Each refurbished PC must be given a new genuine Windows software license (new operating system, Certificate of Authenticity, and recovery solution)
4. The TPR agrees follows the Microsoft Third Party Refurbisher terms and conditions

For more about licensing requirements, download the ***Microsoft Refurbished PC Licensing Guide.***

A large part of Microsoft’s ending the Microsoft Registered Program was to move from paper to digital Windows licenses. Shipping millions of paper Certificate of Authentication per year is unsustainable, and Microsoft promotes its Authorized Refurbisher Program as a part of its sustainability strategy.

To buy more legitimate Windows licenses, all Refurbishers need to switch to digital Windows licenses.

If you're starting a computer repair or refurbishment operation, you need to see how such a business works at scale.

Take a tour of Computers for Classrooms with founder Pat Furr. Computers for Classrooms is a non-profit Microsoft Registered Refurbisher that refurbishes donated PCs. Once refurbished, computers are sold at incredible discounts to schools and individuals in need.

Pat opened her warehouse for a quick tour—and we thought we should immortalize it on the internet. Watch once, then watch again to see how this refurbishment operation works.