Windows 7 licensing and virtual machine licensing

xCxStylex

Senior member
Apr 6, 2003
710
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1 - Has anyone tried to install windows 7 with the same key on two different systems? Legal reasons aside, is it possible?


2 - Do you need to own a additional license for an OS you plan to virtualize? Say I have a retail copy of xp and triple boot xp/linux/win7. If i install xp again as a VM in either my win7 or linux, am I supposed to buy another license?


BTW, my current set ups are

-xp pro desktop
-vista home laptop

Plan is:

-Reformat the desktop, triple boot xp, linux, and win 7 (have 2 licenses from msndaa, one for 64 one for 32bit). Then, I'll virtualize xp again within linux or win 7

-Either wipe vista completely or dualboot the laptop with win7 . Then, I'd virtualize xp.
 

Nothinman

Elite Member
Sep 14, 2001
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1 - Has anyone tried to install windows 7 with the same key on two different systems? Legal reasons aside, is it possible?

I'm sure it works just like WGA in the past.

2 - Do you need to own a additional license for an OS you plan to virtualize? Say I have a retail copy of xp and triple boot xp/linux/win7. If i install xp again as a VM in either my win7 or linux, am I supposed to buy another license?

IIRC Win7 Ultimate comes with that XP VM for compatiblity, but otherwise you probably do need another license by the letter of the EULA. But I doubt MS would care even if they audited you.