License for Windows 7 in VM?

If I find I really need this I will purchase a Windows 7 retail license.

On my previous job I had access to MSDN licenses, but I don't now.

pparks1 said:

Not without purchasing another license. Of course, as a software developer you might have something like Technet or more likely MSDN which would allow this.

Hi there
Windows licenses in Virtual Machines is a rather moot point -- in theory you will need a license for EACH Virtual machine --but in practice since you build your Virtual Machines using essentially identical (or similar) Virtual hardware you can actually make a number of identical virtual machines using ONE copy of Windows.

You will need to activate ONE version of windows even in a Virtual Machine.

OEM versions cannot be activated but full retail or technet copies can be.

Create your VM with roughly the Virtual hardware you need and then activate it. Now this Virtual Machine can be "cloned" as many times as you like and it will actually allow reasonable "Virtual Hardware" changes before requesting a new activation.


XP mode is another issue -- you *might* be able to extract the XP image and run this as a native VM under vmware / vbox. Some people have done this --I haven't tried yet as I was really DISAPPOINTED with XP mode --great idea but badly implemlented.

Cheers
jimbo

Hi Barman -- true but if you actually USE your VM for work then the rearm every so often is a pain in the rectum.

I use an XP VM for a Canon 1240 scanner, an old HP Blueprint plotter, some Minidisc recording software, Outlook Express email client and some other Pre Press type of applicatons.

I don't think I'd want to go through the rearm / re-install again --especially for some of the legacy hardware I don't have the drivers any more -- and can't get them as the devices are no longer made.

For some people your solution is fine.

The real problem with licensing I suspect is that Windows doesn't know whether it's running on a real or Virtual Machine.

I hope the NEXT version of Windows will allow you to run as many Virtual machines as you like so long as it's on the SAME computer you licensed Windows for.

This will need a change to the Intel / AMD instruction set as well as to most PC's.

The old IBM mainfames came equipped with an instruction STCPUID which stored the CPU ID in a protected area in ROM. When the OS was loaded (Old MVS/370 etc) the OS would check the CPUID that it was licensed for and if OK would continue the boot (or IPL - Initial Program Load as it was known in those days).

Something like that would do and also prevent "Infinite cloning" of Virtual Machines too.

Cheers
jimbo