Windows 10 license for virtual machine I have contacted Microsoft directly and they told me that OEM license (or image) is not compatible with virtual machines and I need to use VL key or retail key instead. Use Windows VMs in the cloud, on-premises, or in the hybrid cloud. Dec 16, 2022 · When licensing by virtual machine, one license must be assigned for each virtual core allocated to the virtual machine, subject to a minimum of eight licenses per virtual machine and 16 licenses per customer (e. Whether you’re a small business or an enterprise, deploying a Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) with Windows 10 or 11 on top of Windows Server 2022 Datacenter can be a game-changer—but getting the licensing right is essential. It is asking me if I have an eligible Windows 10/11 license with multi-tenant hosting rights. One machine, one license period. Sep 2022, 16:10 Hello everyone. Dec 9, 2020 · Will a Windows 10 license be required for each virtual machine, a VDA license for each user who will access the VM's, a User CAL for each user, and also an RDS license? Mar 18, 2024 · When you purchase a Windows 10 Enterprise license, it typically entitles you to run one instance of Windows 10 Enterprise on the physical machine. If you're planning to virtualize Windows 11, there are several ways to deploy and license virtual machines (VMs). If you are properly licensed, tripping Windows 10 activation is not a problem at all. ws. 1 Setup you can search a product key on the internet and trick the Setup, but keep in mind Windows won't activate with that key Jun 16, 2025 · I tryout a number of things in Windows 10 and 11 Virtual Machines using VMWare Workstation on my Windows 11 22H2 host machine. Oct 23, 2024 · Start building Windows applications quickly by using a virtual machine with the latest versions of Windows, the developer tools, SDKs, and samples ready to go. I've installed windows 10 successfully with my OEM Windows 7 Pro license that came together with my dell XPS, this was possible due to microsoft upgrade program a long time ago. Extended Security Updates for Windows Server 2012, what products they cover, the qualifying licenses for eligibility, and how to purchase and I am a virtual machine newbie who is currently considering permanently installing Windows on a virtual machine. I want to be able to activate Windows for virtual machines whenever I create them. That's talking about how many Windows VMs you can run on a Windows desktop. The product key is only used to obtain the digital license. How to deploy Windows 10 on Azure Guest VM will be accessed by users or not? That makes a difference. Apr 15, 2020 · If you purchase just a license and purchase a Retail License, then you can re-use the license. , if you have only one virtual machine of eight virtual cores, you still need 16 licenses). Unlock the full potential of your system effortlessly! The license to run Windows Server in the Azure environment is by default included in the per-minute cost of your Windows Virtual Machine. In each of those machines I would also like to run Windows 11 Pro. Either way, Microsoft virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) licensing provides you with the rights to run Windows locally in the virtual operating system environment on a licensed device. Datacenter license allows for unlimited "server" VMs, it doesn't allow for desktop/client OS's (7/10/11). Provide remote desktops and apps to employees Secured virtual machines Configure and deploy virtual machines delivering Windows 11 and Windows 10 desktop and application experiences. I bought a computer with pre installed windows ( OEM ) version. Jul 4, 2025 · Windows 10/11 in Developer Mode: If you are a developer, you can get free virtual machine images from Microsoft for testing purposes. Thanks! Feb 24, 2022 · To be able to use Windows legally it is necessary to activate it with a license. Windows Virtualization Rights These rights I am looking to develop on Windows 10 pro on a VM. Feb 3, 2022 · Windows 10 license on virtual machine Post by Bonnot23 » 28. What implications are there? Can I just virtualize the machine and continue with the VM, since I have a… Oct 31, 2020 · I'm a hobbyist developer/open source contributor. … Sep 10, 2018 · Having a virtual machine on-hand can be useful for a variety of purposes, such as testing software or tweaks in a sandboxed environment that is separate from If the windows machine has got a Product Key sticker of Windows 7 Home/Premium you could type that in. Dec 22, 2023 · Volume License: Volume Licensing is the most flexible option and is designed for businesses. VMware Workstation Pro 25H2 is great for developers and system admins, for software Dec 4, 2018 · Hey Guys, Has anyone managed to transplant an OEM Windows 10 License to a KVM Virtual Machine? I have an old Laptop that came with Windows 10 Pro OEM License, was wondering if anyone has successfully done this. When reinstalling the same Windows version, this has a similar effect as manually entering this Product Key during installation. Apr 14, 2021 · To use VirtualBox to create a virtual machine to install Windows 10, set up the app, download the ISO, and use these steps. Customers looking to virtualize Windows 11 have a variety of ways to deploy and license their virtual machines (VMs). Do not delete the VM. Feb 23, 2018 · Hey all! I have a question pertaining the use of brand new OEM license (Windows 7 Pro) on a virtual machine (as a guest). Customers looking to virtualize Windows Client OS have a variety of ways to deploy and license their virtual machines (VMs) depending on what Microsoft license entitlements they have. If you want to run additional virtual machines on the same physical host using Hyper-V, you would need separate Windows licenses for each virtual machine. For production environments, this means a multitenant license found in specific enterprise and other licenses listed here: https://learn. 19041. How to unlock the product activation key for Windows 10? I have tried to… Oct 4, 2017 · NB: If you're not sure that how virtual machines treated in volume licensing mechanism, read Product Keys FAQ for details. Oct 9, 2015 · Install and activate a qualifying OS (Windows 7 SP1 or Windows 8. Mar 2, 2023 · This step-by-step guide outlines how to create a Windows 11 virtual machine (VM) on Hyper-V using PowerShell commands. And copy the digital license file to the root folder of your virtual machine. Azure Virtual Desktop gives you full control over configuration and management and includes the security features of Azure to keep your data and apps safe and secure. When you activate Windows 10 on any machine (again: a real one or a vm), the ID and signature of that machine will be stored on Microsoft activation servers. > VMware Workstation > License. This means that you'll need to buy a qualifying license which you confirm you have when you check the multi-tenant hosting rights box during VM creation. Oct 1, 2019 · Details Software Assurance for the Windows desktop operating system, Windows 10 Enterprise E3/E5 subscription licenses, and Windows Virtual Desktop Access (VDA) subscription licenses provides the greatest flexibility for how you use Windows. Aug 1, 2017 · 16 I'm currently running linux with windows dualboot. x. I activated it using a new windows 10 Pro license. Remember that "licensing" is not the same as "activation". Aug 29, 2015 · 3 The Windows 10 auto-activation system is quite nice: you no longer need to type in serial numbers to re-install the OS on the same machine - the machine's identity is used to activate it. OEM licenses generally cannot be transferred to another computer, or to a virtual machine. If you ever wanted to create a virtual machine to run preview builds of Windows 11 or another operating system like Linux alongside your main setup without Jun 20, 2025 · Customers who are properly licensed to run Azure Virtual Desktop workloads are eligible to apply a Windows license to their session host virtual machines and run them without paying for another license. You can use Remote Desktop to connect to Windows 10 Pro and Enterprise, Windows 8. I run my VM and it says that I need to activate the product key for this version of Windows 10. Oct 29, 2015 · If you’re considering or are in a scenario where you need to license Windows 10 (or previous versions of Windows) in a virtual machine, then this how-to will give you definitive guide on licensing the Windows desktop OS for virtualization. So you need a Retail License for your Windows 10 VM. Learn how to extend your infrastructure and save money with Windows virtual machines in Azure. Nov 16, 2018 · Everything I’ve been able find says that the Windows 10 OEM licenses covers running Windows 10 in a Virtual Machine on the same hardware with a different host OS. Apr 20, 2017 · I have a Windows 10 Pro machine which supports virtualization. It also provides May 6, 2021 · So I installed a Windows 10 . Mar 27, 2024 · Do I need to buy a license from the marketplace? You do need to purchase the license from outside of the Azure marketplace. 1 Windows Digital License was introduced in Windows 10. Powerful open source virtualization For personal and enterprise use VirtualBox is a general-purpose full virtualization software for x86_64 hardware (with version 7. As such I have a few questions to clarify the situation: Is it definitely true that I cannot use brand Dec 28, 2024 · The Windows 10 license included in the setup of Microsoft Azure Virtual Machines counted on a per-hour based on the usage. If you use the Fusion Pro Migrate Your PC feature to migrate one of these types of systems to a virtual machine, you might be required to Sep 21, 2021 · Can I purchase a single license for windows 10 enterprise and have virtual rights and will win10 pro upgrade? I cant seem to find an easy solution to allow me to run this machine virtually. Jul 24, 2019 · If I create a VM and activate it with a retail license and at a later date want to move it to another VM, how would I do that without having an issue with the activation on the new VM? Sep 24, 2021 · That's the way it works with Windows 10 & 11 digital licenses. All current generation Virtual Machines include load balancing and auto-scaling at no cost. This type of license allows you to install Windows on multiple machines and includes virtualization rights. It came down Page 8 "Local Windows Virtual Machines". All Windows computers, be it a real physical PC or a virtual machine have a unique ID and signature. This is the easiest way to get your needed Windows environment up and running quickly for testing purposes. May 21, 2024 · Note: For 64-bit versions of Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7 and Windows Vista, the serial number is located at Computer > HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SOFTWARE > Wow6432Node > VMware, Inc. The activation status of Windows on a VM will not be impacted by the number of CPU cores or the amount of memory you assigned to the VM. Feb 14, 2022 · I have Windows 10 Pro and I've been experimenting with Hyper-V and Virtual Machine on my personnal computer, Obviously I've not made it to this stage of the process where the answer become the hold-up, but assuming it's coming Question-1: Do I need to have an additional license to put the same operating system on my Virtual Machine? Jul 21, 2025 · That particular document you recommend, Windows 11 for Virtual Desktop liceninsing, is one that I cannot makes heads or tails of for my scenario. * I have a regular WINDOWS 10 license of my PC and a Office 365 subscription. Keep the VM itself as it will now always have that digital license Apr 21, 2025 · For those with stubborn software, cherished workflows, or a healthy skepticism of Windows 11, all is not lost. NET desktop, and Azure workflows enabled and also includes the Windows Template Studio extension Visual Studio Code Windows Subsystem for Linux enabled with Ubuntu installed Developer What is VMware? VMware is a company that develops software for virtual machines, including software for VMware Workstation, VMware Player, and VMware Server. How to Download Windows 10 and Install it Without a Key First, you'll need to download Windows 10. microsoft Server licensing and feature overview Windows Server 2025 Datacenter and Windows Server 2025 Standard are licensed under a core-based license model. May 22, 2025 · For customers with Windows 11 Enterprise E3/E5 per user or Azure Virtual Desktop Access per user (User Subscription Licenses or Add-on User Subscription Licenses), Multitenant Hosting Rights for Windows 11 allows you to bring your Windows 11 Licenses to the cloud and run Windows 11 Virtual Machines on Azure without paying for another license. For optimal performance, we recommend pairing your Virtual Machines with Managed Disks. Local virtual machines. My senario: I'm using VEEAM to backup a small ESXi "7 virtual machines" enviornment. The license to run Windows Server in the Azure environment is, by default, included in the per-hour cost of your Windows Virtual Machine. I do not want to pay $5K to run VEEM. root@kali:~/VirtualBox VMs/Windows10# cat /sys/firmware/acpi/tables/MSDM > msdm. My understanding is, you need the following DMI Strings (Table 0 & 1) SLIC and MSDM ACPI Dumps Serial Number of Old Hard Drive Upon boot, Windows Installer shouldn’t even ask you for Aug 13, 2024 · Building virtual machines on Windows doesn't have to cost a penny, and even with free software you're not going to miss out. This brief describes how to license Windows 11 running on VMs. Summary This licensing brief is an overview of the Microsoft Volume Licensing use rights for the Windows 10 operating system when running within virtual machines. My plan is to run win10 inside a VM on linux. If I were to delete the virtual machine could I use the same license on a new VM? How to license Windows 10/11 and Office 2019/2021 perpetual licenses for on-premises use, as well as how to license virtual desktop with these products. If Windows Server Standard Core licenses are assigned to the server, then Windows Server Standard may run in two virtual machines and in the POSE for the purpose of managing those VMs. May 10, 2023 · Hello, @arkan ! How do I license a single instance of Windows 10/11 on Azure? Unlike Windows Server which includes the OS cost with the VM, Windows 10 and Windows 11 require that you bring your own license that can be used in a cloud environment. My Windows 11 Host machine is activated with a Digital License. Oct 4, 2025 · Key notes Activating Windows 11 on a VM will give you access to the Personalization features and more. That's the deal. To license the 8 virtual machines for Windows Server Standard edition you need to license the server 3 more times to run 3 x 2 = 6 more virtual machines. Similar issues (written for previous Windows versions, but may still apply for nowadays): How does Windows 7 licensing work for running the OS as Virtual Machines? With an OEM license, Windows is tied directly to the hardware on which it was loaded by the manufacturer. com Feb 3, 2022 · The vendor of a physical PC with an included Windows license stores an individual Product Key into the ACPI MSDM table. Microsoft has an entire PDF on the proper way of licensing Windows 10 for use with Virtual Machines. Should I get an OEM license code for this instead of a digital license? Would the license only work one time? Or would it work every time I make a virtual machine? Can I use the license key from my host pc? I bought a Dell that came with Windows 10 installed, which I recently upgraded to Windows 11. You would need to purchase a seperate license for Windows 10 You can create Hyper-V VMs in Windows 11 using a built-in Windows app or a new developer-oriented tool. Jan 11, 2021 · We use Windows 10 Pro throughout our organization and not Enterprise edition. AVMA is short for Automatic Virtual Machine Activation - it depends on your Hyper-V host being correctly licensed and activated. Run Windows, Linux and other virtual machines with VMware Workstation Pro for Windows and Linux or VMware Fusion for Mac, the industry standard desktop hypervisors. This allows the use of the physical windows machine, plus 4 virtual instances. 2 also for Windows/Arm), targeted at laptop, desktop, server and embedded use. Windows Server licenses are not eligible for License Mobility through Software Assurance, but customers licensing Windows Server with Software Assurance can utilize the Azure Hybrid Benefit for a cheaper per-minute cost when running a Windows Virtual Machine Mar 27, 2017 · I bought a Dell Inspiron machine that comes preinstalled with Windows. I have purchased a license for the Windows 10 Pro running on VM. When I try setting up a virtual machine, i get prompted to check the following box: ”I confirm I have an eligible Windows 10/11 license with multi-tenant hosting rights. For businesses, Microsoft offers special licensing options under the Windows Server and Windows Enterprise editions, which can include multiple virtual instances in a single license. I installed and License "Subscription" a Win 10 VM " within ESXi Host. Windows server is included in the price. trueIf you have the proper license, the actual "activation key" that you use for activation doesn't matter very much. Aug 31, 2015 · My computer came with Windows 8. I would like to have a single (one instance running at a time/multiple instances stored) Windows 10 Virtual Machine (s) as development/testing beds where I can install Microsoft and freeware/open source windows development tools, Visual Studio Community etc, where I can develop, test Sep 14, 2021 · You can install Windows 11 as a virtual machine using the free VMware Workstation Player or Oracle VM VirtualBox. When doing a free upgrade you don't even get a Windows 10 serial number - your activation is simply linked to the machine's identity that you are upgrading. 0) Windows 10 SDK, version 2004 (10. If I purchase a new laptop with this license embedded, will it be picked up by the windows OS inside the VM? Or on a related note, how can I run windows 10 inside a VM on linux without a license key if that Feb 26, 2021 · You can license Windows in a virtual environment by using Windows Virtualization Rights, Windows 10 Multitenant Hosting Rights or Windows Virtual Desktop in Azure. You will need to provide a 10/11 license to use the Windows VM. Sep 20, 2024 · Discover how to set up a virtual machine on Windows 10 with this step-by-step guide. Discover common uses and scenarios. I believe I need Windows 10/11 Enterprise per device with Software Assurance to spin up the virutal machines - using one license per VM and that should be enough. Once that is done you enter the AVMA product key on the VM. Buy Windows Virtual Machines today and pay only for what you use. Once the digital license is created and stored on Microsoft Activation Servers, the original product key used to obtain that digital license is worthless for that same computer or VM. Customers looking to virtualize Windows 10 have a variety of ways to deploy and license their virtual machines (VMs). Compare pricing options to choose the best plan for your business. I wiped Windows from the laptop and installed Windows 10 & 11 in 2 separate VMs, but can't activate Windows in either VM. Dec 13, 2024 · This article introduces how to transfer Windows 10 license to new computer or virtual machine securely. This guide explains how to properly license Windows 11 when running on VMs. However, these options are typically more expensive and aimed at larger organizations. The chart Microsoft offers free Windows virtual machine images for development. Jan 17, 2023 · Hello, I would like to set up an Azure Virtual Machine for private usage so that I can use windows via my ipad. Note: Dev Box requires a work or school account. VMware software is compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems. And then installed Linux on a sepa Apr 22, 2019 · Hello I've just built a server and set up a KVM hypervisor on it, and now I want to transfer a little-used mini PC with a Window 10 license to a VM. What I was curious about was what elements of the virtual machine environment were used to determine whether the environments were the same or Azure Virtual Desktop – Deliver remote desktops and applications anywhere with Azure Virtual Desktop—the only cloud VDI solution fully optimized for Windows 11 and Windows 10 multi-session to help reduce costs. Windows 11 (unlike Windows Server) is a bring your own license VM. 1) on virtual machine, then upgrade it to Windows 10 Buy a Windows 10 license for clean install Jun 4, 2024 · Discover how to set up a virtual machine in Windows 11 with our step-by-step guide. you have to buy windows server 2016, 2019, 2022,. May 16, 2024 · VMware, the renowned virtualization platform, has now made the Workstation Pro app available as a free product, meaning anyone can download, install, and use the Hypervisor app on Windows 11, 10, Linux, and macOS for personal purposes. Windows 10 IoT LTSC Virtual Machine, how to license properly? So we're looking at attacking some technical debt, and I'm looking at licensing How the hell do I properly license Windows 10 IoT LTSC 2019/2021 (whatever) virtual machines? They are being hosted on ProxMox. I want to create a hyper-V VM running Windows 10 as the guest host. special license with whatever cal sublinceses for machines/users that would connect to that machine /edit Some details - the VM would be running windows with veeam backup and replication installed. (i. Summary Windows 11 can be used to deploy secure and centrally managed virtual desktops to workers at scale. (source Pricing Calculator | Microsoft Azure) Windows 10/11 requires a separate license. Unlike Windows Server which includes the OS cost with the VM, Windows 10 and Windows 11 require that you bring your own license that can be used in a cloud environment. You also need the right See full list on o365hq. " If the VM is hosted anywhere other than on the bare-metal machine in front of the user (like, say, a VMware server), you need VDA licenses. This brief describes how to license Windows Client OS for use on VMware Cloud on AWS. Spread the loveIf you’re looking to legally download a Windows virtual machine for running software or testing purposes, there are several options available to you. Azure Virtual Jan 2, 2019 · I am trying to understand the process of activation methods for Windows 10 on a virtual machine. Jul 14, 2025 · Learn about Automatic Virtual Machine Activation (AVMA) and how to enable seamless activation of Windows Server virtual machines on licensed Hyper-V hosts. ” Jan 29, 2022 · How to get Windows Product Key from BIOS for VirtualBox, VMware or any other Virtual Machine 29-01-2022 by Maytham Fahmi Oct 7, 2024 · Same VM, but can I use a key from an old Windows 10 machine which is basically dying (and the reason I want this new VM, to replace it)? I can unregister the Windows 10 machine, it still works sufficiently to do the slmgr /upk command on it. Of course, to use Windows permanently and properly, you need to have a genuine product key. What I fear Oh you cant even use the typical win pro license in hyperv. May 12, 2021 · Windows 10 includes all the software you need to set up a virtual machine (VM). only running one copy of Windows 10) Assuming that’s accurate… (if it’s not, the rest of this question is moot) How do I activate Windows 10 in the VM? In my case, I’ve got a Dell Precision 3510 with Windows 10 Pro May 14, 2025 · Learn how to configure virtual machines (VMs) to enable Windows 10 Subscription Activation in a Windows Virtual Desktop Access (VDA) scenario. x > Serial. Perfect for running multiple OS environments seamlessly on a single device. Dec 28, 2024 · The Windows 10 license included in the setup of Microsoft Azure Virtual Machines counted on a per-hour based on the usage. For more information, see Azure Virtual Desktop pricing. The best method is to install and activate Windows 10 on the virtual machine and then upgrade to Windows 11. 1 and 8 Enterprise and Pro, Windows 7 Professional, Enterprise, and Ultimate but not Home editions. 1 additionally for macOS/Arm and with version 7. May 10, 2024 · I would like to know if I can use Windows 10/11 Pro images in Virtual Machine. Jun 16, 2023 · If you find yourself in a situation where you need a Windows 10 key, Microsoft does provide a list of generic keys. . You can re-activate that virtual machine, forever, with the same product key / digital license. Is there a way to have a very basic image of the VM preserved Azure Virtual Machines gives you the flexibility of virtualization for a wide range of computing solutions with support for Linux, Windows Server, SQL Server, Oracle, IBM, SAP, and more. Virtualization Find licensing resources related to virtualization solutions, including desktop, server, and cloud virtualization. I have a licensed VMWare Workstation 17, running on Windows 11 home. Retail license gives you the right to install Windows 10 as virtual machine. There is also the option to install the new OS and simply insert your existing key. Jan 24, 2017 · We are trying to license a VM with Windows 10 Pro. That said, if you have a purchased Windows 10 license / product key for the virtual machine, then it won't matter. This brief describes how to license Windows 10 running on VMs. May 21, 2025 · Learn how to set up a Windows 11 virtual machine in Hyper-V with our step-by-step guide. I'm planning to make a new virtual machine and tried to put the same key to activate the windows but it won't activate. The Win 10 installation will run VEEAM utilizing Express SQL at a fraction of Jul 24, 2023 · Want to run Windows 10 using virtual machine? Here's how you can install Windows 10 in VirtualBox with prerequisites and step-by-step guide. Both come with gotchas. Mar 10, 2024 · I currently have a computer running Windows 11 Pro and I would like to run a couple of Virtual Machines on that using VirtualBox. These offerings enable flexible work styles by Do be aware that when you license a copy of Windows in the virtual machine it doesn't tie itself to the motherboard so when you're done with that virtual machine you can reuse that license elsewhere. Apr 8, 2025 · Windows 10/11 license – The Dev Box Virtual machine OS. Perfect for developers and testers, includes TPM, Secure Boot, and licensing tips. Standard egress charges apply. Is there a license that allows for this? It’s Summary This document discusses how Microsoft Windows Server is licensed when used with virtualization technologies like VMware ESX/ESXi, Microsoft System Center (Virtual Machine Manager component), or Virtuozzo, or Azure Windows Server virtual machines. If you purchase a Windows 10 PC, very likely that will be an OEM license which cannot be re-used. However, I have wiped it clean and installed Ubuntu Desktop. If you want to run a copy of Windows in a virtual machine on your computer, you need to pay for a Windows license, right? But did you know that you can actually legally get a pre-made Windows Virtual Machine directly from Microsoft? These are meant for software developers, but they aren’t locked behind any sort of paid program or login page. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the easiest and safest ways to obtain a Windows VM without resorting to illegal downloads or other methods. Option 1: Download a Virtual Machine from Microsoft Microsoft offers free 26 votes, 28 comments. Learn how it works and how to transition effectively. Sep 26, 2022 · You need Windows 10 Enterprise E3/E5 per user or Windows Virtual Desktop Access per user (User Subscription Licenses or Add-on User Subscription Licenses), Multitenant Hosting Rights for Windows 10 licenses. I have a virtual machine with Windows 10 Professional installed with regular OEM license. e. Microsoft Entra ID license – For secure authentication, SSO experience, and conditional access Microsoft Intune license – For managing Dev Box machines and apps (policies, compliance, provisioning, etc. The option to license Windows Server by virtual machine was added in Dec 28, 2024 · My question: Was the Windows 10 license included in the setup of Microsoft Azure Virtual Machines counted on a per-hour basis used by the user, or per-monthly? Jan 29, 2016 · In other words you need to buy a Windows 10 license for the vm. Kind of a grey area here. Personally I wouldn't activate a virtual machine because it's really useless What are you trying to do that requires you to activate? On Windows 8/8. 1 Home OEM licence and I clean installed Windows 10 Home when it came by which I got the free upgrade and the Windows 10 install was activated just by the virtue of running on the same hardware, I didn't have to enter my key again and a generic key is shown in Windows 10. This remains true today. bin Asign the product key to virtual machine Apr 14, 2020 · Later after Windows 10 is fully installed connect the VM to the Internet and enter your Windows 10 License Key and activate the same. Oct 19, 2023 · I have a virtual machine using oracle virtual box with windows 10 pro activated, unfortunately I can't open that machine anymore because the computer host is not working anymore. Do You Need a Separate License? Jun 28, 2023 · I know, minefield… With MS365 E3 licensing, you have Windows enterprise entitlement. So windows 10 is a Client OS, and generally speaking without combining through all the licensing documents of all the different programs, it is generally regarded as being used for a single primary user of that physical machine, or if it's shared by a few users at that particular machine. ). Here’s how it all works. If you're using Windows but need to virtualize some other Mar 27, 2023 · You need to purchase another Windows 10 Pro license for each VM. " Nov 2, 2019 · I'd like to build some Windows 10 VMs, and I suspect that I'd like to clear them from time to time and start over. 0) Visual Studio 2019 with the UWP, . Sep 11, 2024 · Many people will ask, do I need another Windows license for a virtual machine when employing the virtualized environment? This post gives this answer, explain the different Windows license, and provides the guide to install license on a VM. It’s with that in mind that I’m updating my Jan 18, 2023 · How to deploy Windows 11 on Azure - Azure Virtual Machines Learn how to maximize your Windows Software Assurance benefits to bring on-premises licenses to Azure with Multitenant Hosting Rights. I was wondering how the licensing system works on virtual machines. What is important here to understand is that there’s a Virtual Board with a UUID and this is used by Windows 10 to tie the license to and register the same on activation server. Jun 2, 2025 · Install Windows 11 safely in a virtual machine with this step-by-step guide from ExtremeTech—ideal for testing software or managing files securely. The updates include incorporate the new per-user licensing options and the options to have your VMs hosted by a 3rd party hosting provider or in Azure. By following these instructions, IT Oct 5, 2022 · When I create a Windows 10 virtual machine I get the following msg at the end: I confirm I have an eligible Windows 10/11 license with multi-tenant hosting rights. This is commonly known as "BYOL" (Bring Your Own License). My understanding is that Windows 10 license activates against certain hardware. Sep 21, 2022 · Learn about Hyper-V virtualization technology to run virtual machines, its key features, benefits, and how to get started in Windows Server and Windows. 0. iso file in order to run my Hyper V virtual machine. These days apparently the windows product key is embedded in the hardware somehow, I don't know the details but the OS finds it automatically. (source How to deploy Windows 11 on Azure - Azure Virtual Machines | Microsoft Learn) I'm a bit confused about the Windows 10 license. What is the license called I need to buy to run a Windows 10 machine? Apr 8, 2024 · Using a generic key can be helpful if you wanted to install or upgrade to a specific Windows 10 edition for evaluation or testing on a PC or virtual machine, or just don't have a digital license or your genuine product key currently available and you will activate later when able. Aug 3, 2024 · This applies regardless of whether the host machine is also running Windows. What Windows license type do I need to purchase for these… Jul 31, 2023 · Yes, you can purchase a Windows 10 or Windows 11 license and install it on a virtual machine (VM) hosted on a cloud provider's infrastructure. Jul 31, 2025 · Microsoft’s new Windows Server Per-VM licensing model offers greater flexibility and cost efficiency by allowing organizations to license virtual machines individually rather than entire physical servers. Running two instances of the same license is fraudulent use. Jun 21, 2021 · Part ONE Digital license explained 1. They include access to unique products and license rights not available through other licensing programs. Jan 25, 2022 · My only hope now, before expending another USD 100+, is to migrate the Windows 11 Digital License to a new VM created on Intel based Mac as Windows 10 and then upgraded to Windows 11. Feb 18, 2021 · This evaluation virtual machine includes: Windows 10, version 2004 (10. g. VMware Workstation software supports 3D graphics and allows users to create numerous virtual machines (VMs) on a single computer. Second Question: I always use Windows 10 Pro because I find Home too limiting. Notice the license is framed around "the PC or the user of the primary PC. People have been able to run Windows 10 without activation and without a license since it was released. Most pre-installed versions of Windows have OEM licenses. Using a feature called Hyper-V, a hardware-based hypervisor for Aug 18, 2023 · Whether you want to install Windows 10 in Boot Camp, put it on an old computer that isn't eligible for a free upgrade, or create one or more virtual machines, you don't actually need to pay a cent. OEM license doesn't it. If you’re planning to run Windows 10 Pro or Enterprise in a cloud environment, a Volume License would likely be the appropriate choice. To activate the virtual machine, you can use Automatic Virtual Machine Activation (AVMA) which acts as a proof-of-purchase mechanism, helping to ensure that Windows products are used in accordance with the Product Use Rights and Microsoft Software License Terms 3. Jun 24, 2021 · I have just installed and set up a windows 10 VM on Virtual box on my windows 10 Pro laptop. For both Datacenter and Standard, the number of core licenses required depends on whether a customer is licensing based on the physical cores on the server or by virtual machine. Let’s explore how the humble virtual machine (VM) offers a lifeboat for Windows 10, keeping it alive and relatively safe, long after official support stops and the update servers run dry. Oct 22, 2025 · VMware Workstation Pro lets you run Windows, Linux, and BSD virtual machines on a single Windows or Linux PC. These keys will expire but are perfect for short terms use, for example when using a Virtual Machine. So you also need one VL license. But with retail licences, you have to manage lots of serial numbers, that's a hassle. Summary You can use Windows 11 to deploy secure, centrally managed virtual desktops for your team on a scale. Aug 3, 2024 · Legally, a virtual machine is considered to be a full-fledged computer—and that means you do need a valid Windows license to run Windows in a virtual machine. I have some questions on licensing and any activation issues that mig Aug 15, 2023 · This means that if you are running Windows 11 as a virtual machine (VM), you would generally need a valid Windows 11 license for that VM, regardless of the devices connecting to it. Apply Windows license to session host virtual machines - Azure Describes how to apply the Windows license for Azure Virtual Desktop VMs. Our rep is telling us we need to purchase a Virtual Desktop Access VDA subscription license under Microsoft volume licensing. I own a computer with Windows 10 Pro and Hyper-V installed. You can have a try if you don't want to buy another license key. Apr 14, 2024 · Retrieve your license Create the Windows 10 virtual machine without starting it. If you have Software Assurance or E3/E5 licenses, in certain cases you may be entitled to licenses for your VMs, ex: an "active Windows 10 Enterprise with Software Assurance or Windows 10 Enterprise E3/E5 subscription, which permits running up to four virtual machines concurrently. If guest VMs just run themselves, not accessed by others, you can simply get retail licenses. But if a user wants more than 4 VM’s, or wants to share VM’s at will with colleagues with the same licensing, it may arguably result in 6 VM’s for one person, 2 for another. Ideal for virtualized environments, it simplifies management, reduces costs, and scales easily with usage. Can I reuse the Windows OEM license to run a Windows VM instance on VirtualBox, on the same machine? Sep 11, 2017 · There have been some changes to the licensing model for licensing Windows 10 for use in a virtualized environment (aka VDI or virtual desktop infrastructure) since Windows 10 first released. My question is about linked clone, or standalone clones. Nov 28, 2019 · 1 First Question: With VMware Workstation, you can make a Windows 10 virtual machine with a Retail Windows 10 license and you can make a copy (or copies) and so long as you only run one virtual machine at one time, you can do this. Jan 5, 2022 · The PDF you pointed me to provided the answer in a very ambiguous way. What it means in simple terms is, that once a specific Windows edition has been activated on a physical computer or a virtual machine, next time it is online, its license status and activation will be saved on Microsoft's activation servers. gxaj axcxi ivfon upngmkz inrsf vttcf njtx rkxtl offgiuo mffmzmfq ylqfwl gfwcy nlu sojk hwkfaq