Same Windows (XP) license on both the host machine and virtual machine
Can we use the same Windows license used with our machine's installation to install Windows on a virtual machine (VM), which is running on top of the original installation? What is the legal method for achieving this?
Unfortunately, you cannot have a VM running Windows using the same license used on your host machine, because the VM is treated as a separate computer. The Microsoft EULA is very ambiguous when referring to virtualization:
"The term 'COMPUTER' as used herein shall mean the HARDWARE if the HARDWARE is a single the computer system, or shall mean the computer system with which the HARDWARE operates if the HARDWARE is a computer system component."
- Installation and use. You may install, use, access, display and run one copy of the SOFTWARE on the COMPUTER. The SOFTWARE may not be used by more than two (2) processors at any one time on the COMPUTER unless a higher number is indicated on the COA.
- SOFTWARE as a Component of the COMPUTER – Transfer. This license may not be shared, transferred to or used concurrently on different computers. The SOFTWARE is licensed with the COMPUTER as a single integrated product and may only be used with the COMPUTER.
After various forums responses from several Microsoft representatives its clear that Microsoft expects you to purchase a new license for every Windows installation.
Some legal solutions to this problem:
- The obvious one is: Buy another Windows license to use with your VM. Not very desirable, seeing as Vista and Windows 7 are each over $70. Windows XP is not even sold anymore (according to Microsoft).
- Use Linux as the host OS, using your Windows license only on the VM (Linux has excellent VM capabilities)
- Get Vista Ultimate along with Software Assurance from Microsoft. This allows up to 4 VM uses of the same license key.
- See if running Linux on the VM instead of Windows suits your needs (simulate Windows using Wine, etc…), and keep the Windows installation on the host machine.
One Response to "Same Windows (XP) license on both the host machine and virtual machine"
Vikram says:
February 20, 2010, at 7:05 am
you could technically make .iso images or Ghost images of the OS.
Basically, if you need a large number of Windows VM's with a single application on them, you can use VMWare Thinapp to virtualize that application and install that app on multiple Windows hosts.
Your requirement would either be
- Multiple Windows Hosts for Load Testing/Stress Testing that can be solved by LoadRunner etc.
- Multiple Windows Clients running the same Application..which would be suited for ThinApp that can place the application on multiple hosts.