[RndTbl] Windows activation on Linux VM host?
Scott Toderash
scott at 100percenthelpdesk.com
Fri Jan 22 18:01:23 CST 2021
I've seen the reference a few times to "pass the hardware bits" and I'm
not sure what the exact thing to do is. Is this something I would do
with libvirt then? Possibly edit the vm config and add a parameter of
some kind?
On 2021-01-22 8:19 a.m., Alberto Abrao wrote:
> Again, not a lawyer, so that is NOT legal advice. But the information is
> out there should anyone wish to make an informed decision.
>
>
> On 2021-01-22 7:21 a.m., Scott Toderash wrote:
>> Yes. I'm still thinking about the activation state before converting.
>> I wiped the machine after, so I can't verify. I don't recall seeing
>> any request for me to activate while it was on the original hardware,
>> only after virtualization.
>
> Exactly.
>
> Still, if you pass the hardware bits required to the VM, it would
> activate. And, as long as that is your sole Windows VM running on that
> host, you should be fine.
>
>
>> So technically it worked, but eventually I'll be punished for not
>> activating Windows. If I acquire the right kind of key I can fix that
>> though.
>
> Again, if you have a licence (be it OEM or Retail) for the original
> hardware, and as long as you have a licence for each instance of Windows
> you are running, you're fine.
>
>
> ===
>
> https://www.microsoft.com/OEM/en/Pages/support-faq.aspx#fbid=u11sV_78rNg
>
> *Q.* Can I install OEM software on a virtual machine (VMware)?
>
> *A.* You can install OEM software in a virtual environment as long as
> you have a separate license for each instance of the software. It is
> fine to use the OEM version as long as it is properly licensed. To be
> clear, a separate version of the software must be installed for both the
> “standard” and “virtual” installations.
>
> ===
>
>
> Thus, if you're using FOSS to virtualize, you don't need a licence for
> that (!). But you do need a licence for the VM, which you're passing
> through from the hardware bits in my example.
>
>
> Let's say you're running Windows on a machine. But now you embraced the
> Penguins.
>
> So you p2v your current install, install Linux, KVM the old install.
> Boot it up. No activation.
>
> Two options:
>
> 1) Use your key (Retail or OEM) to activate. You may have to call
> Microsoft. If you go back to bare metal, you will have to do it all over
> again.
>
> 1a) "But I don't have my OEM key, there's only a fancy sticker saying
> Windows!"... yes, you do. It's somewhere(tm). Again, passing the bits is
> more practical, but there are ways to get there if you would rather not
> bother. And no, it's nothing "illegal". I am *NOT* talking about Piracy
> *AT ALL*, let's make this absolutely clear.
>
> 2) Pass the bits as I described. No need to call. If you ever decide to
> go back to Windows, you are fine too.
>
>
> Trevor, if WINE does not work, get a single Retail licence and activate
> the VM on one of the machines. Then, try to jump it around and see if it
> keeps the activation. As long as xml files - or whatever VirtualBox uses
> - are one and the same, it *should* keep the activation.
>
>
> Keep me posted on this, it does pique my interest :)
>
>
> Kind regards,
> Alberto Abrao
>
>
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