Solved Windows license question

[arachnaut]

On a serious note, I've done some more digging and I think this post covers things accurately:

How the new Windows 8 license terms affect you - Ed Bott

How the new Windows 8 license terms affect you | ZDNet

Here is the interesting part:

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"If you purchase the software separately, in a package or as a download, the rules are much more liberal. Note that the text for the following rules is identical for retail upgrades and for System Builder software that you install on a PC you build yourself, or in a virtual machine, or on a separate partition. Emphasis in the following sections is in the original:

You may transfer the software to another computer that belongs to you. … You may not transfer the software to share licenses between computers.
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In other words, you can remove the Windows 8 upgrade from an original PC and then install it on another PC, assuming the new PC has a license that qualifies it for an upgrade. Likewise, you can completely remove the PUL System Builder software from a self-built PC, a VM, or a partition and then install it in a new physical or virtual PC.
There is no limit on the number of times you may do this type of transfer, providing you follow the rules I describe later in this section. That means hobbyists who like to tinker with PCs can relax. If you buy a System Builder copy, you can move (not share) that license from an old PC to a new one."

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So if I read this correctly, having removed Win 7 OEM when I upgraded to Windows 8 I am now free to transfer Windows 7 to my personal VM.

That means I didn't have to delete the VM after all.

But, when all is said and done, running Windows 8 or Windows 7 in a VM does not really seem practical compared to a Linux distro.

Linux is so much more light-weight, and it installs and boots a lot faster.

I've tried a few Linux distros, I've decided to keep the Linux Mint Mate 14.1 in a VM. It's easier than setting up a dual-boot system, and I'd probably only run the VM if I wanted to check out some obscure or unreliable Internet resource without risking the host machine.

 

[znod]

If you buy Win8 retail upgrade software, then you are supposed to upgrade some "qualifying" software and to forego future use of that software. Did you happen to run the Win8 upgrade assistant to see if your OEM (system builder) Win7 would qualify for upgrade? But, regardless, see this tutorial. It says MS says in the Win8 EULA:

"What about upgrading the software?
The software covered by this agreement is an upgrade to your existing operating system (XP SP3, Vista, or Windows 7) software, so the upgrade replaces the original software that you are upgrading. You do not retain any rights to the original software after you have upgraded and you may not continue to use it or transfer it in any way. This agreement governs your rights to use the upgrade software and replaces the agreement for the software from which you upgraded. After you complete your upgrade, additional software will be required to playback or record certain types of media, including DVDs." (bold parts not bolded)

 

[arachnaut]

OK, we should let it rest there.

In my own situation, I am not using Windows 7 in any way shape or form, except perhaps for some forgotten old external backup drives that might have a very old system backup. If I find them I'll format them clean.