Uploading Modified Windows Images. Legal?

By SignumX
in Microsoft (Windows)

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SignumX

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Hey guys, I was just wondering if any of you could enlighten me as to the legality of uploading a 'modified' windows iso's.

Like may I slipstream my windows and tweak the install image with programs such as nlite/vlite and RVM. I have family members and friends that constantly ask me for these iso's so they can try them out for themselves.

My question is can I legally upload these iso's to my own website for them to have access to and download? All images would still require a valid serial and activation. This would make it much easier on me, this way I do not need to physically take them the images.

Also, would this be the same for VMware images that I want to upload. Again these images would still require valid keys and activation?

Grand Master

Cara Veteran

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Hey guys, I was just wondering if any of you could enlighten me as to the legality of uploading a 'modified' windows iso's.

Like may I slipstream my windows and tweak the install image with programs such as nlite/vlite and RVM. I have family members and friends that constantly ask me for these iso's so they can try them out for themselves.

My question is can I legally upload these iso's to my own website for them to have access to and download? All images would still require a valid serial and activation. This would make it much easier on me, this way I do not need to physically take them the images.

Also, would this be the same for VMware images that I want to upload. Again these images would still require valid keys and activation?

As Joel said, no.

You do not have rights from Microsoft to modify or distribute their Intellectual Property (i.e. Software) without their explicit written permission.

The option you have is to write a document on how you performed the tasks and slipstreaming and give that document to your friends and family and allow them to make the changes to their software themselves, that would be allowed as no Copyrighted IP is being transmitted.

Grand Master

Cara Veteran

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Cara and Joel, thanks for the responses.

Just to be certain that would also apply to the VMware images as well correct?

That is correct, you are permitted under license to work with them yourself but not distribute the images.

Grand Master

Cara Veteran

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Alright.

Cara thanks for the help, it's much appreciated.

Always glad to be of service, dealing with Virtualized Images and IP is part of my day to day job so I've become well versed on what you can and can't do before you get slapped in the head. ;)

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SignumX

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Always glad to be of service, dealing with Virtualized Images and IP is part of my day to day job so I've become well versed on what you can and can't do before you get slapped in the head. ;)

It would be nice to get friends and family more involved with tools such as virtualization, but easily as possible so it doesn't go over their head. They are eager to learn and I see VMware as being the best tool for them to use. Not to mention the isolation it provides for their host systems that seems to keep getting hit by the baddies no matter how much I teach them. It would save me a lot of time! :p

Grand Master

Cara Veteran

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It would be nice to get friends and family more involved with tools such as virtualization, but easily as possible so it doesn't go over their head. They are eager to learn and I see VMware as being the best tool for them to use. Not to mention the isolation it provides for their host systems that seems to keep getting hit by the baddies no matter how much I teach them. It would save me a lot of time! :p

When I have to use Windows for something I keep it in Parallels for the Mac so that I can rollback after I'm done, thus I have a fresh image each time I need to use it so I know what you're saying.

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