License question

[Dave]

I am running Vista 64-bit on my home PC (Retail Ultimate).

I use VMWare to allow me to run multiple OS's simultaneously. I have
32-bit XP running (originally came with the computer). Can I install
32-bit Vista from my Ultimate DVD in VMWare and use the same license
key?

I know the technical answer is yes, but as I develop commercial
software, I need to make sure I am covered legally as far as license
issues are concerned.

 

[Mel K]

The best resource for this answer is a MS licensing specialist. You should
be able to search for that on the MS site. They are pretty easy to get a
hold of (the last time I tried).

 

[Mick Murphy]

You can not not have both the 32bit and 64bit version running /installed at
the same time, even if one is in a VM, and even if it is Retail.

One install, one licence.

 

[Mick Murphy]

You can not not have both the 32bit and 64bit version running /installed at
the same time, even if one is in a VM, and even if it is Retail.

One install, one licence.

 

[Richard G. Harper]

No, you cannot. One license key means one install, physical OR virtual.

 

[John Barnett MVP]

As everyone has already said, you will need another licence to install Vista
Ultimate on your VM.

While I agree VM is a good way to go when running multiple operating
systems, installing Ultimate on your VM is not going to give you all the
Ultimate features, particularly Aero (although this is the same with all
versions on Vista running Aero). You are actually putting a higher level
version of Vista onto the VM only to receive basic features.

Although VMware have a new beta version out which I am testing at the moment
I haven't yet installed Vista Ultimate (or any other Vista OS) to see
whether there are any functionality improvements.

--

--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
Windows Desktop Experience

Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org

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