activate windows 8.0 in virtual machine

shmu

New Member
Power User
Messages
126
Installed windows 8.0 pro on oracle VM VirtualBox
(running 8.1 pro on host machine)
and it asks me to activate windows.
Okay, but it doesn't accept the product key I purchased for the host machine.
what to do?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1 pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Hi there
Windows - unless you have a VL (multiple activation) license needs a license for EVERY machine it's used on - for this purpose a Virtual Machine is identical to a REAL one.

Windows activation probably detects your key has been used already. - There have been issues about developers wanting to test using VM's -- with W7 you could get 30 days before windows needed activation and of course there were TechNet subscriptions -- however TechNet is closed to new subscribers - the existing one's are also being phased out and MSDN is FAR FAR too expensive for individual testers.

Ms really needs to provide some sort of developer license (affordably) now TechNet is being phased out. What you could do is download the FREE TRIAL version of W8/8.1 enterprise for your VM - that allows use for 90 days.

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)
and what will happen if I just install windows 8 on a dual boot, without any virtual machine business -- will I run into the same license problem, if both windows 8 boots are on the same physical machine?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1 pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
and what will happen if I just install windows 8 on a dual boot, without any virtual machine business -- will I run into the same license problem, if both windows 8 boots are on the same physical machine?

If they both the same version (Core, Pro...) but even if one is 8.0 and the other 8.1 and use the same key, then yes.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy DV6 7250
    CPU
    Intel i7-3630QM
    Motherboard
    HP, Intel HM77 Express Chipset
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD4000 + Nvidia Geforce 630M
    Sound Card
    IDT HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6' built-in + Samsung S22D300 + 17.3' LG Phillips
    Screen Resolution
    multiple resolutions
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 250GB + Hitachi HDD 750GB
    PSU
    120W adapter
    Case
    small
    Cooling
    laptop cooling pad
    Keyboard
    Backlit built-in + big one in USB
    Mouse
    SteelSeries Sensei
    Internet Speed
    slow and steady
    Browser
    Chromium, Pale Moon, Firefox Developer Edition
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    That's basically it.
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