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<p>Again, not a lawyer, so that is NOT legal advice. But the
information is out there should anyone wish to make an informed
decision.<br>
</p>
<p><br>
</p>
<div class="moz-cite-prefix">On 2021-01-22 7:21 a.m., Scott Toderash
wrote:<br>
</div>
<blockquote type="cite"
cite="mid:0bf4d559-35a5-b67f-664d-76427d23b836@100percenthelpdesk.com">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.
<br>
</blockquote>
<p>Exactly. <br>
</p>
<p>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.<br>
</p>
<p><br>
</p>
<blockquote type="cite"
cite="mid:0bf4d559-35a5-b67f-664d-76427d23b836@100percenthelpdesk.com">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.
</blockquote>
<p>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.</p>
<p><br>
</p>
<p>===<br>
</p>
<p><a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="https://www.microsoft.com/OEM/en/Pages/support-faq.aspx#fbid=u11sV_78rNg">https://www.microsoft.com/OEM/en/Pages/support-faq.aspx#fbid=u11sV_78rNg</a></p>
<p><strong>Q.</strong> <span>Can I install OEM software on a
virtual machine (VMware)?</span></p>
<p class=""><strong>A.</strong> 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.</p>
<p class="">===<br>
</p>
<p class=""><br>
</p>
<p class="">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.<br>
</p>
<p class=""><br>
</p>
<p class="">Let's say you're running Windows on a machine. But now
you embraced the Penguins.</p>
<p class="">So you p2v your current install, install Linux, KVM the
old install. Boot it up. No activation.</p>
<p class="">Two options:</p>
<p class="">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.</p>
<p class="">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.<br>
</p>
<p class="">2) Pass the bits as I described. No need to call. If you
ever decide to go back to Windows, you are fine too.</p>
<p class=""><br>
</p>
<p class="">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.</p>
<p class=""><br>
</p>
<p class="">Keep me posted on this, it does pique my interest :)<br>
</p>
<p class=""><br>
</p>
<p class="">Kind regards,<br>
Alberto Abrao<br>
</p>
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