[RndTbl] Windows activation on Linux VM host?

[Scott Toderash]

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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