Windows 8 in VMware Player

tonymarcus

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Suffolk , England
Hello Guys,

I've made a copy of my Windows 8 installation to run as a Virtual Machine in VMware Player. It's telling me I need to reactivate with a new serial number as my key is in use. I really only plan to use it for testing tweaks and mods that might be risky for my proper Windows 8 install so it will hardly be used.

I can use the slmgr.vbs –rearm command to give me an extra 90 days, I'm just wondering what will happen when I run out of time, will the VM refuse to boot or can it be continued to be used.

Thanks

Tony
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built System
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Quad Q9450 2.66Ghz, Overclocked to 3.3Ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-EX38-DS5
    Memory
    8GB XMS2 4GB DDR2 PC2-8500
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte 660GTX 2GB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SMS27B970D
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1xSAMSUNG SSD 840 Pro Series Basic 2.5" - 512 GB - Boot drive
    2xSamsung Spinpoint F1 750GB
    PSU
    Corsair 520HX
    Case
    Antec P182
    Cooling
    Zalman 9700NT
    Internet Speed
    12Mb/s
    Other Info
    I did a fresh format and install of Windows 8 64 Bit Pro. Sorry but I couldn't live without a start button so I have installed the Start8 start menu which is great. I try sometimes not to use it but find metro frustrating to find programs as I have many. I will use Metro for apps only and desktop of serious computing.
You will have to reinstall it, yes. you can not use the Key you have already used to activate your main PC.
You would need to buy another one.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
    CPU
    I7-3770K
    Motherboard
    ASUS SABERTOOTH Z77
    Memory
    CORSAIR 8GB 2X4 D3 1866
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GTX680 4GB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS 24" LED VG248QE
    Hard Drives
    SAMSUNG E 256GB SSD 840 PRO -
    SAMSUNG E 120GB SSD840 -
    SEAGATE 1TB PIPELINE
    PSU
    CORSAIR GS800
    Case
    CORSAIR 600T
    Cooling
    CORSAIR HYDRO H100I LIQUID COOLER
    Keyboard
    THERMALTA CHALLENGER ULT GAME-KYBRD
    Mouse
    RAZER DEATHADDER GAME MS BLK-ED
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    APC 1000VA -
    LGELECOEM LG 14X SATA BD BURNER -
    CORSAIR SP120 Fans x 3 -
    NZXT 5.25 USB3 BAY CARD READER -
    HAUPPAUGE COLOSSUS
Hi there
For testing VM's a better option might be to consider a TechNet subscription -- Depends on what you want to do.

W7 was better in a way for VM's as you didn't have to activate for 30 days --usually more than enough time for testing VM's. However Ms really needs to have better licensing systems for INDIVIDUALS who want to test and develop stuff without the quite large expense of a MSDN subscription - or even a TechNet pro subscription - which currently is fine but every year they seem to make it more restrictive so in the future -- who knows.

Cheers
jimbo
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Centos 7, W8.1, W7, W2K3 Server W10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 X LG 40 inch TV
    Hard Drives
    SSD's * 3 (Samsung 840 series) 250 GB
    2 X 3 TB sata
    5 X 1 TB sata
    Internet Speed
    0.12 GB/s (120Mb/s)
How do you go about getting one and how much is the subscription?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built System
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Quad Q9450 2.66Ghz, Overclocked to 3.3Ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-EX38-DS5
    Memory
    8GB XMS2 4GB DDR2 PC2-8500
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte 660GTX 2GB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SMS27B970D
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1xSAMSUNG SSD 840 Pro Series Basic 2.5" - 512 GB - Boot drive
    2xSamsung Spinpoint F1 750GB
    PSU
    Corsair 520HX
    Case
    Antec P182
    Cooling
    Zalman 9700NT
    Internet Speed
    12Mb/s
    Other Info
    I did a fresh format and install of Windows 8 64 Bit Pro. Sorry but I couldn't live without a start button so I have installed the Start8 start menu which is great. I try sometimes not to use it but find metro frustrating to find programs as I have many. I will use Metro for apps only and desktop of serious computing.
How do you go about getting one and how much is the subscription?

You buy TechNet online. The cost of a standard sub is 199 for first year and 149 a yat to renew. Absolutely killer deal for the amount of software you get.

Just search for purchase TechNet subscription.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self-Built in July 2009
    CPU
    Intel Q9550 2.83Ghz OC'd to 3.40Ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R rev. 1.1, F12 BIOS
    Memory
    8GB G.Skill PI DDR2-800, 4-4-4-12 timings
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 1280MB Nvidia GeForce GTX570
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC899A 8 channel onboard audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Acer x233H
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Intel X25-M 80GB Gen 2 SSD
    Western Digital 1TB Caviar Black, 32MB cache. WD1001FALS
    PSU
    Corsair 620HX modular
    Case
    Antec P182
    Cooling
    stock
    Keyboard
    ABS M1 Mechanical
    Mouse
    Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
    Internet Speed
    15/2 cable modem
    Other Info
    Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.
How do you go about getting one and how much is the subscription?

You buy TechNet online. The cost of a standard sub is 199 for first year and 149 a yat to renew. Absolutely killer deal for the amount of software you get.

Just search for purchase TechNet subscription.
In UK and continental Europe, the Irish VAT 23% applies if no local VAT number can be given.

TechNet Standard
in UK £133.55 (with VAT £164.27) and in continental Europe €213.05 (with VAT €262.05), TechNet Professional in UK £234.21 (with VAT £288.08) and in continental Europe €373.64 (with VAT €459.58).

Kari
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP ENVY 17-1150eg
    CPU
    1.6 GHz Intel Core i7-720QM Processor
    Memory
    6 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5850 Graphics
    Sound Card
    Beats sound system with integrated subwoofer
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17" laptop display, 22" LED and 32" Full HD TV through HDMI
    Screen Resolution
    1600*900 (1), 1920*1080 (2&3)
    Hard Drives
    Internal: 2 x 500 GB SATA Hard Disk Drive 7200 rpm
    External: 2TB for backups, 3TB USB3 network drive for media
    Cooling
    As Envy runs a bit warm, I have it on a Cooler Master pad
    Keyboard
    Logitech diNovo Media Desktop Laser (bluetooth)
    Mouse
    Logitech MX1000 Laser (Bluetooth)
    Internet Speed
    50 MB VDSL
    Browser
    Maxthon 3.5.2., IE11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender 4.3.9431.0
    Other Info
    Windows in English, additional user accounts in Finnish, German and Swedish.
So with the subscription you can download any Microsoft product, What would happen if say you downloaded and installed Windows 7 and Office 2013 and you subscription expired, does the software stop working or is it a case you have to uninstall it?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built System
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Quad Q9450 2.66Ghz, Overclocked to 3.3Ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-EX38-DS5
    Memory
    8GB XMS2 4GB DDR2 PC2-8500
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte 660GTX 2GB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SMS27B970D
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1xSAMSUNG SSD 840 Pro Series Basic 2.5" - 512 GB - Boot drive
    2xSamsung Spinpoint F1 750GB
    PSU
    Corsair 520HX
    Case
    Antec P182
    Cooling
    Zalman 9700NT
    Internet Speed
    12Mb/s
    Other Info
    I did a fresh format and install of Windows 8 64 Bit Pro. Sorry but I couldn't live without a start button so I have installed the Start8 start menu which is great. I try sometimes not to use it but find metro frustrating to find programs as I have many. I will use Metro for apps only and desktop of serious computing.
It continues to work and your keys remain valid, you just cannot get any new keys. You are supposed to use the software for testing and evaluation only. You are supposed to stop using it if you cancel, but they don't seem to force it.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self-Built in July 2009
    CPU
    Intel Q9550 2.83Ghz OC'd to 3.40Ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R rev. 1.1, F12 BIOS
    Memory
    8GB G.Skill PI DDR2-800, 4-4-4-12 timings
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 1280MB Nvidia GeForce GTX570
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC899A 8 channel onboard audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Acer x233H
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Intel X25-M 80GB Gen 2 SSD
    Western Digital 1TB Caviar Black, 32MB cache. WD1001FALS
    PSU
    Corsair 620HX modular
    Case
    Antec P182
    Cooling
    stock
    Keyboard
    ABS M1 Mechanical
    Mouse
    Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
    Internet Speed
    15/2 cable modem
    Other Info
    Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.
This was a duplicate posting. Sorry
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Vista and Win7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    2xHP, 2xGateway, 1xDell, 1xSony
    Hard Drives
    5 SSDs and 12 HDs
I have Windows 8 installed under VMware - and only under VMware with Windows 7 as the host. I copy the VMware folder and run that copy as second system. That is possible because VMware is the system where Windows 8 is installed - and not a physical PC.

I went one step further and moved all of that to an external SSD attached via USB. Thus I can even carry it to another PC without any problems. This posting is done from such a Windows 8 installation.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Vista and Win7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    2xHP, 2xGateway, 1xDell, 1xSony
    Hard Drives
    5 SSDs and 12 HDs
I have Windows 8 installed under VMware - and only under VMware with Windows 7 as the host. I copy the VMware folder and run that copy as second system. That is possible because VMware is the system where Windows 8 is installed - and not a physical PC.

I went one step further and moved all of that to an external SSD attached via USB. Thus I can even carry it to another PC without any problems. This posting is done from such a Windows 8 installation.

Hi there
"Cloning" a VM won't require activation normally since the hardware is identical -- and therefore Windows doesn't detect a hardware change when the image is powered on .

Under the EULA though you mustn't use more than ONE copy at any one time -- i.e you can't run say 3 VM's concurrently even if they have the same configuration.

Note also that later versions of VMWARE (such as workstation version 9) tend to optimise the Host environment for running VM's -- and take note of actual hardware features such as the Host processor.

This will sometimes cause Windows VM's to require re-activation as even the VM will detect a hardware change (new processor) when running on a different machine.

Older versions don't do this so you "pays your money and takes your choice". - If you are prepared to pay for a small diminution in performance use Version 7 or version 8 when testing multiple W8 VM configurations.

However if you want to test things like 3-D graphics in VM's then you'll need Version 9 (or the equivalent FREE vmplayer version).

Incidentally running VMware workstation on Linux seems not to have problems of Windows 8 VM's detecting Hardware changes and therefore requesting re-activation.

I really think Ms needs some sort of license to cover testing in VM's -- even on TechNet a non enterprise version of W8 only allows 10 activations per key -- now this might sound a lot but if the activation gets triggered by TRIVIAL changes in the VM configuration then its bonkers.

Also a load of hobbyists might want to try out all sorts of hardware and some of these won't have the money for a TechNet subscription so there ought to be a sort of multipls TEST environment for W8.

W7 wasn't a problem as a VM since you got 30 days before you had to activate so you could get plenty of time to fiddle around and in a test environment re-installing Windows 7 on a VM isn't an issue. Windows 8 want activation straight away which makes it horrible for testing in VM environments unless you get Enterprise from TechNet and that needs a PRO subscription. -- IMO still good value for money - but not everybody can afford this and Ms gets a lot of "Indirect research" from hobbyists trying out all sorts of hardware and software -- what about "Old Billy himself" right in the beginning.

Cheers
jimbo
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Centos 7, W8.1, W7, W2K3 Server W10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 X LG 40 inch TV
    Hard Drives
    SSD's * 3 (Samsung 840 series) 250 GB
    2 X 3 TB sata
    5 X 1 TB sata
    Internet Speed
    0.12 GB/s (120Mb/s)
Under the EULA though you mustn't use more than ONE copy at any one time -- i.e you can't run say 3 VM's concurrently even if they have the same configuration
That is correct. Thanks for adding that caveat.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Vista and Win7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    2xHP, 2xGateway, 1xDell, 1xSony
    Hard Drives
    5 SSDs and 12 HDs
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