Microsoft Virtualization FAQ: Macintosh
Q: Under NC State’s Microsoft’s Volume Licensing programs, am I able to run Windows in a virtual environment on my computer running a Macintosh operating system?
A: Yes. The Macintosh operating system is a qualified operating system under Microsoft’s Volume Licensing program. You are entitled to use a Windows upgrade license on a Macintosh. A complete list of qualifying operating systems can be found on the Qualifying Operating Systems for the Microsoft Windows XP/Vista Upgrade page.
Q: Since Macintosh is a qualified operating system, how many instances of Windows can I run from an upgrade license acquired through Microsoft’s volume licensing program?
A: You may only run one virtual instance of Windows. The Macintosh operating system qualifies as the physical instance. Unless you uninstall the Macintosh operating system and install the Windows operating system in its place (Intel Mac), only then can you run two instances of Windows from an upgrade license.
Q: Can I buy more than one Volume Licensing upgrade license in order to accommodate additional virtual machine needs?
A: You may only purchase one upgrade for each underlying qualifying OS license that you have acquired from either your original equipment manufacturer (OEM) or the retail full packaged product (FPP) channel.
Q: If I need to run more than one virtual instance of Windows on one Macintosh, how can I do so?
A: You will need to be licensed for each instance of Windows that you run on your desktop. You can purchase a Volume Licensing upgrade for your underlying qualifying Macintosh operating system license. You are now licensed for one virtual instances of Windows. You can purchase your second license for Windows through either the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) or the retail full packaged product (FPP) channel.
Q: Can I remove an old Windows operating system from a computer and install it on a Macintosh computer which has the virtual machine software installed?
A: No. Under the Microsoft OEM and Volume License programs, Microsoft Windows desktop operating system licenses are tied to the machine on which they are first installed and may not be moved to another machine which has the virtual machine software installed.
Q: If I purchase a Windows Upgrade license from the bookstore under the Microsoft Student Select Agreement, does the same Microsoft Volume Licensing rules apply for these licenses?
A: Yes and no. Although the Student Select Agreement is part of the university's Academic Select volume licensing agreement, Windows itself does not utilize a volume licensing key (VLK) like it does under the Academic Select and Campus agreements. Student Select Windows licenses are designed for personal use on personal computers, and each Windows license purchased from the bookstore has its own license key. If using the Student Select Windows license on a personal computer, you still are allowed one virtual instance of Windows per full qualifying operating system license. You can not, however, install a Student Select License on university owned computers. If so, you are in violation of the Student Select Agreement and you do not have any rights provided by the Campus and the Academic Select agreements.
Q: Can I install and use multiple copies of Microsoft Office or other Microsoft desktop applications for each operating system instance on my device?
A: Yes. For each Microsoft Office or Microsoft desktop application license that was acquired through any of Microsoft’s Volume Licensing programs, customers have the right to install up to two instances of the Microsoft application on one device for each license as long as the two installations of the application are not accessed or used on more than one device. The second installation of a Microsoft application must be an older version than the version licensed (e.g., license for Office 2007 Professional, and 2nd copy has to be Office 2003 Professional, Office XP, Office 2000 Professional or an earlier version).
Q: Can I purchase an Upgrade license or Software Assurance for my personal computer through one of NC State's volume licensing program?
A: No. Purchasing Upgrades or Software Assurance under one of the Microsoft Volume Licensing programs is only available for university owned machines. For personal computers, additional FPPs must be purchased for each instance of Microsoft Windows.
Q: What are some software virtualization solutions for the Macintosh?
A:
- VMWare (free)
- Parallels
- Virtual PC for Mac*
*Microsoft has made the decision not to move forward with a Universal version of Virtual PC at this time.
Content last updated August 24, 2006, by wkcoker.