Virtual Machines and GUIDs / Licensing

[powder21]

Hi. I am not finding a definite answer to this question in my google and microsoft searches. I was hoping somebody here could help me out.

I am trying to figure out if I will be able to install and activate Windows 7 on multiple VMs using the same product key on the same physical machine.

I am able to install, activate, and run multiple copies of Windows 7 on separate physical partitions with the same product key due to the fact that they all share the same GUID and thus, from Microsoft's perspective, they are all the same exact copy. Or at least this is how I understand it.

So, if each VM shares the same GUID, it would stand to reason that I would not need a different product key for each Windows 7 VM that I am running. However, I don't know that much about virtualization, so I am unsure as to whether a VM created with the new Windows Virtual PC will have a GUID different from that which is stored in my BIOS.

If somebody could please help clarify this, I would greatly appreciate it, as I do not want to get my product key "black-listed" and I need to get several Windows 7 VM's installed as soon as possible. Thanks.

Just FYI: This is for testing purposes. I can assure you that I have purchased a separate license for every PHYSICAL MACHINE that I own. I am not trying to screw Microsoft here

 

[Kari]

If you install Seven on a virtual machine using the key which is already activated on another machine, you get an error message telling this key is already been used. I have tested it, did not work.

If you install Seven on a virtual machine using non-activated key, it should logically work. Another question is then if it is completely legal, at least it is against EULA (one install, one activation per key).

Kari

 

[jimbo45]

If you install Seven on a virtual machine using the key which is already activated on another machine, you get an error message telling this key is already been used. I have tested it, did not work.

If you install Seven on a virtual machine using non-activated key, it should logically work. Another question is then if it is completely legal, at least it is against EULA (one install, one activation per key).

Kari

Hi there

while this IS "technically" correct you can certainly CLONE a Virtual Machine - and unless you SIGNIFICANTLY change the "Virtual Hardware" such as radically increasing "Virtual RAM size" you won't be asked to re-activate the product since it is in essence an "Identical Machine".

Now the whole licensing issue of VM's is very vague but if you've got an Identical Machine (Virtual) I can't see any problem with firing / powering up any of them on your physical hardware even if you only use one at a time.

A Virtual Machine is just a set of disk files which can be moved between PHYSICAL HARDWARE whilst the Virtual Machine stays 100% INTACT.

So having say created an XP system just clone it to test new applications -- you should only need to activate Windows ONCE.

I use the clone feature (using Vmware workstation) quite frequently on W2K3/XP/W7 Virtual Machines and have not had to re-activate any of the clones.

I suspect just copying the files with windows explorer would probably work as well.




Cheers
jimbo

 

[powder21]

Thanks for your replies.

UPDATE: I contacted Microsoft who told me definitively that each VM requires a separate license. However, I'm still interested in possibly using only one additional license and just copying the VM once activated. I'm just still wondering if running the separate copies simultaneously might do something that would cause the license used for the VM to be lost (black-listed). Please let me know. Thanks again.

 

[Kari]

You could try it easily by copying the vhd as told in this tutorial. The tutorial is about copying the XP mode vhd but the principle is the same when copying any vhd.

Kari

 

[powder21]

I'd certainly give it a shot, but I'm worried trying it might cause me to lose my license. Do you know if copying the vhd (as per the tutorial) will retain the same GUID? Meaning would MS see it as the exact same VM or could they tell that it is in fact a copied VM? If you don't know the answer, then I'll simply have to use trial and error so just let me know so I don't keep bugging you guys. However, if you've done this before and know how a copied VM is viewed by MS then I'd love to know that before trying. Thanks again for your help.

 

[Kari]

I'm using three XP Modes to different purposes. I installed Virtual PC and XP Mode, installed the basic applications to XP Mode and then made two copies of it.

Now I have three different XP Modes, depending on what I'm doing I'm using one of them.

GUID is the same, license OK. You do not break EULA when using copies of XP Mode, as long as they run on the same machine and your Win7 is OK, genuine and licensed.

Kari

 

[powder21]

Awesome. Thanks. Hopefully this holds true with Windows 7 VMs. I'll give it a shot and post back.

 

[Kari]

I've tested with XP and Vista, have had no problems.

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there
with vmware workstation works fine - XP / W2L3 Server and W7 vm's all copy with Windows explorer (or by using the Clone facility)

Also works with vmware server.

Cheers
jimbo