Windows 8 for a Virtual Machine

By xWhiplash
in Smart Home, Network & Security

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xWhiplash

Posted
Posted

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?

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Grand Master

articuno1au

Posted
Posted

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..

Grand Master

Brandon H Supervisor

Posted
  • Supervisor
Posted

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

Veteran

xWhiplash

Posted
  • Author
Posted

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)?

Grand Master

Brandon H Supervisor

Posted
  • Supervisor
Posted

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
Grand Master

articuno1au

Posted
Posted

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.

Veteran

xWhiplash

Posted
  • Author
Posted

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?

Grand Master

Brandon H Supervisor

Posted
  • Supervisor
Posted

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
Grand Master

articuno1au

Posted
Posted

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 >.<)

Veteran

xWhiplash

Posted
  • Author
Posted

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?

Grand Master

articuno1au

Posted
Posted

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))

Enthusiast

Josh the Nerd

Posted
Posted

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

Grand Master

PGHammer

Posted
Posted

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.

Veteran

xWhiplash

Posted
  • Author
Posted

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?

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