Microsoft Virtualization FAQ: Windows XP/Vista
Q: If I purchased my Windows desktop operating system license from an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) or through the retail full packaged product (FPP) channel, do I have the rights to install two instances of Windows on one PC from one license?
A: No, according to the use terms of the OEM and FPP Windows desktop operating system licenses, you only have the rights to install one instance of Windows on one PC from one license. It is only for Windows desktop operating system Upgrade licenses or Software Assurance licenses purchased through Microsoft’s Volume Licensing channels that you acquire rights, under one license, to install two instances of Windows on one PC.
Q: Can I buy more than one Volume Licensing upgrade per OEM operating system license in order to accommodate additional virtual machine needs?
A: You may only purchase one upgrade for each underlying Windows desktop license that you have acquired from either your OEM or through FPP.
Q: If I need to run three instances of Windows on one desktop, how can I do so?
A: You will need to be licensed for each instance of Windows that you run on your desktop. You have the following options:
- Purchase a Volume Licensing upgrade for your underlying Windows desktop operating system license. You are now licensed for two instances of Windows (one physical and one virtual). You can purchase your third license for Windows through either the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) or the retail full packaged product (FPP) channel; or
- In addition to the Windows desktop operating system license that you acquired with your PC from your OEM, you can purchase your second and third license for Windows through either your OEM or the retail full packaged product (FPP) channel.
Q: The above states I can create virtual machines on top of my Windows desktop. Am I allowed to set up two virtual machines with Windows on top of my Windows desktop, or does the initial Windows desktop count as one of my two allotted instances (so only one additional instance)?
A: You are only granted one additional instance. The host Windows operating system which is installed on your computer counts as the first instance of Windows. In addition, you receive rights to install a second instance of Windows in one virtual machine. .
Q: If I purchase a Windows XP Pro or Vista 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 person 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 two instances of Windows per full qualifying operating system. 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: Do these use rights associated with the Volume Licensing Windows desktop operating system upgrade licenses impact swappable hard drive and dual-boot scenarios?
A: Yes. According to the Microsoft Volume Licensing Product Use Rights, for each Windows desktop operating system upgrade license you have acquired through your Volume Licensing agreement, you may install two instances of Windows on one desktop. This use right is not restricted to virtual machines and may extend to swappable hard drives and dual-boot scenarios as long as the two instances of Windows are not accessed or used on more than one device.
Q: Do these use rights associated with the Volume Licensing Windows desktop operating system upgrade licenses also apply to Windows Server operating system licenses purchased under Volume Licensing programs?
A: No.
Q: Can I use my two instances on two separate physical computers?
A: No. You are granted rights to install up to two instances of Windows on a single desktop for each Volume Licensing upgrade acquired. You may not use these rights to install Windows on two separate physical computers.
Q: Can I remove an old operating system from a computer and install it on a new 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 both instances of the Windows desktop operating system on my PC are accessing Windows Server, do I need a device CAL for each instance of the operating system on my device?
A: No. One device CAL is all that is needed for multiple operating system instances on a single physical machine. In the case of a User CAL each person accessing the server through any client device must have a CAL.
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: Can I install and use multiple copies of Office or other desktop applications for each operating system instance on my device?
A: Yes. For each Microsoft Office or desktop applications license that was acquired through any of Microsoft’s Volume Licensing programs, customers have the right to install up to two instances of Office on one device for each license as long as the two installations of the desktop application are not accessed or used on more than one device. The second installation of Office or desktop application must be an older version of Office 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: What are some software virtualization solutions for the PC?
A:
- Virtual PC 2004 (free)
- Microsoft Virtual Server 2005 (free)
- VMWare (free)
- Parallels
Content last updated August 24, 2006, by wkcoker.