Windows 8 for a Virtual Machine

[xWhiplash]

How would I get a Windows 8 license for a virtual machine? Do I really need to spend $300 - $500 to get it (Windows 7 THEN Windows 8 Pro)?

NOTE: I do not want to do any hacks, tweaks, or anything like that. What is the appropriate way to get a brand new Windows 8 license? I have to buy Windows 7 first?

[articuno1au]

You can't do it legally anymore..

I'd just suggest you have a license for the install and install it..

Here is a pretty good overview of the new licensing.

http://www.picacommu...hanges1208.html

**** me Microsoft are becoming evil..

EDIT::

After further thought I'd interpret this as meaning you cannot move the VM. You can install it onto a machine in a VM, but not move it to another device :\

Either way, epicly scumbaggy..

[Brandon H Supervisor]

use an OEM disk, the licensing has been changed with windows 8 so this works similarly to the way the old Retail version worked

http://www.amazon.com/Windows-System-Builder-OEM-64-Bit/dp/B0094NY3R0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1365865834&sr=8-1&keywords=windows+8

[Dot Matrix]

Buy it online (http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/buy?ocid=GA8_O_WOL_Hero_ShopHP_FPP_Null) or buy it at retail. The same way you would buy a Windows 7 license.

[articuno1au]

The above are the two I'd suggest >.<

It's the best answer :)

[xWhiplash]

Buy it online (http://windows.micro...ShopHP_FPP_Null) or buy it at retail. The same way you would buy a Windows 7 license.

I thought those were only upgrades? I did buy it online for my main OS. It needed Windows 7 or something else installed or it would not work.

So the only way to get a fresh copy for a virtual machine is to buy an OEM license? What happens if I need to reinstall the Virtual Machine or use a different VM software? How does that work with the Windows Activation with OEM licensing (since it is no transferrable)?

[Brandon H Supervisor]

I thought those were only upgrades? I did buy it online for my main OS. It needed Windows 7 or something else installed or it would not work.

So the only way to get a fresh copy for a virtual machine is to buy an OEM license? I thought OEM licenses were ONLY for system builders?

that's how they were in the past, but with 8 the license for them has changed to basically take the place of the normal retail copy

[articuno1au]

System builder as defined by Microsoft is literally anyone who uses a machine.

You take on all requirements for support of the operating system in using it (no ringing MS for help).

You need an existing NTFS partition on the drive to install it. After that you can.

[xWhiplash]

System builder as defined by Microsoft is literally anyone who uses a machine.

You take on all requirements for support of the operating system in using it (no ringing MS for help).

You need an existing NTFS partition on the drive to install it. After that you can.

How would it work with a virtual machine if I need to reinstall it, or change the VM software to something else? Since OEM licenses are non-transferrable, how would that work during windows activation?

[Brandon H Supervisor]

How would it work with a virtual machine if I need to reinstall it, or change the VM software to something else? Since OEM licenses are non-transferrable, how would that work during windows activation?

that's the main thing that changed in the license for 8, the OEM system builder license actually is transferable now

[articuno1au]

Legally it doesn't..

All you can do is try your best to keep to the spirit of the terms of use. Just install to a VM. When you need to reinstall, just reinstall into the VM. It should work?

I know a couple of people have been using 8 in a VM. I suspect they are just ignoring the legality of it all (which I think you should do also >.<)

[xWhiplash]

Sigh what is with Microsoft lately? I used to just be able to buy the full license and not have to worry about all of this stuff.

I will just find a Windows 7 copy and use that.

[articuno1au]

It's pretty bad.

Honestly I'd just whack 8 on there and be damned the licensing.

[xWhiplash]

I know it might seem foolish to follow the licensing at times. Is the only way for the licensing to work the way I want it to is to buy Windows 7 first then Windows 8?

[articuno1au]

Well, if you consider you can't move the VM, I don't think you breach the license..

All I can suggest is ringing Microsoft on that note.

OEM 8 copy is still the best answer if 7 isn't a good answer >.<

[xWhiplash]

Well, if you consider you can't move the VM, I don't think you breach the license..

All I can suggest is ringing Microsoft on that note.

OEM 8 copy is still the best answer if 7 isn't a good answer >.<

I do not know much about VMs. I need to use it for testing purposes. What if (just for example) I use VMWare and decide to switch to Parallels or something? Will it consider that a different hardware setup with the way they operate?

Or if I want to move it to my mac laptop vs my windows desktop. How will that work?

[articuno1au]

I'd just do it. Microsoft won't give a damn whatsoever.

The internal policy (when I worked for them) was that so long as you bought a license, we don't care. That having been said, I can't speak for Microsoft even if they still employed me.

Just do it >.< (Sorry for bringing up the licensing (feeling like a dick for making this overly complex))

[Josh the Nerd]

You're allowed to transfer the System Builder software if you buy it with the "Personal Use License". I'm not sure if you'd have to contact Microsoft to explain what you're doing, but the right is granted just as with a full Windows 7 license.

http://www.microsoft.com/OEM/en/licensing/sblicensing/Pages/personal-use-license.aspx#fbid=FawIJ6YfbQM

http://personaluselicense.windows.com/en-US/default.aspx

If you're purpose in installing Windows 8 is to test it, you might want to use the free 90-day evaluation copy.

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/hh699156.aspx

[cluberti]

If it's just testing, Josh has the right answer - use the trial version or get a TechNet or MSDN subscription (licensing and access designed for such purposes).

[xWhiplash]

I am not testing Windows 8, I am testing various programs inside Windows 8. Therefore, I will need it a lot longer than 90 days.

[lnmnky]

You could just reinstall it after the 90 days on a new VM.

Or go for Technet then. You are demoing or testing the operating system with your choices of software, so it counts as testing. Also... no one is ever going to check if you are really testing it or not.

[xWhiplash]

Kind of on the same topic, I plan to get a rMBP this week. Similarly, will the OEM license count just like with a VM, or will I need to get Windows 7 first?

[PGHammer]

You can't do it legally anymore..

I'd just suggest you have a license for the install and install it..

Here is a pretty good overview of the new licensing.

http://www.picacommu...hanges1208.html

**** me Microsoft are becoming evil..

EDIT::

After further thought I'd interpret this as meaning you cannot move the VM. You can install it onto a machine in a VM, but not move it to another device :\

Either way, epicly scumbaggy..

Actually, once you license a VM, you can move it; however, you cannot have two copies of the same VM running at once. In that sense, it is no different from a license for a physical PC.

You have two choices - you can start with a legally-licensed Windows 7 VM and upgrade it (same process as upgrading a physical PC) or buy Windows 8 OEM and license the VM that way.

This is, in fact, per the most recent Microsoft post on the Unified Licensing Schema.

[xWhiplash]

Actually, once you license a VM, you can move it; however, you cannot have two copies of the same VM running at once. In that sense, it is no different from a license for a physical PC.

You have two choices - you can start with a legally-licensed Windows 7 VM and upgrade it (same process as upgrading a physical PC) or buy Windows 8 OEM and license the VM that way.

This is, in fact, per the most recent Microsoft post on the Unified Licensing Schema.

And the same goes for when I get my Macbook pro? I can use the OEM version and it will be legal?

[xWhiplash]

Anybody? What is the legal way to get Windows 8 on my new Macbook Pro? Buying Windows 7 first?