Question about installing Windows 7 in virtualbox

[mookiemeister]

Hi,

I would like to install Windows 7 in a virtualbox. I already have this license of Windows 7 installed on the same PC where I want to run the Windows 7 in Virtualbox, can I still use the same copy to install it in a Virtualbox or do I need to buy another copy of Windows 7?

 

[smc333]

No. You'll run into activation issues as the "hardware" it sees when you go to activate it under VirtualBox will be different from the machine you have it installed natively on.

 

[Jonathan_King]

smc333 is correct.

The virtual hardware counts as separate hardware, so you need a separate license key.

 

[mookiemeister]

Ok. Thanks.

 

[celldweller1591]

Yes, hypervisors are programs that make use of host hardware and install guest os in them. you will need a separate licence for Vbox Os

 

[whs]

If you only want to try it out, there is a free "test drive of Win7 Professional". I believe it runs until June this year. And here is a document I wrote about a year ago on how to install Windows7 in vBox - but i never updated it.

 

[Kari]

Microsoft has extended the availability of the free 90 day trial of Windows 7 Enterprise. If you want to test installing a Seven on a virtual machine, you can download this trial version free: Windows 7 Enterprise | Trial, Evaluation, Test, Download.

Kari