Microsoft Virtualization and the Windows XP/Vista Upgrade
There has been much confusion about running Windows XP/Vista in a virtual environment. In general, if you are using the Windows XP/Vista upgrade from one of NC State's Microsoft volume licenses under any Windows or Macintosh operating system with virtualization software (i.e., Parallels, VMWare, VirtualPC, etc.) or dual boot software (i.e., BootCamp), it is legal to install Windows XP or Vista with the available Upgrade license for one instance. If you are running Linux, Solaris, or another operating system NOT listed on the Qualifying Operating Systems for the Microsoft Windows XP/Vista Upgrade page, it is illegal to install Windows XP or Vista upgrade using the license available under any NC State Microsoft volume license.
This FAQ has been designed to hopefully answer your questions regarding running Windows XP or Vista in a virtual environment under NC State’s volume licensing programs on the following operating systems:
Two quick notes (please read):
- Under the Microsoft Volume Licensing program, Windows XP and Vista are only licensed as an upgrade, meaning that you must first have a qualifying license from which you have upgraded. A list of qualifying licenses can be found on the Qualifying Operating Systems for the Microsoft Windows XP/Vista Upgrade page. Microsoft is granting rights to customers to install up to two instances of Windows on one desktop for any Microsoft Windows desktop operating system upgrade that was acquired through NC State’s Microsoft volume licensing programs.
- Any Microsoft Windows desktop operating system license acquired with a new computer (OEM) or through any Microsoft Volume Licensing program is tied to the machine on which the licensed software is first installed. This applies to licenses acquired under Volume Licensing and deployed in connection with Virtual Machine technology on previously licensed machines. You may not move OEM or Microsoft Volume License desktop operating system licenses from the original machine to a different machine. Nor may you transfer a Microsoft OEM or Microsoft Volume Licensing operating system license from the computer to another computer under any circumstances, including as a virtual machine, even after completely removing the operating system software from the computer on which it was originally installed and licensed.
Last updated August 7, 2007 by wkcoker