I apologize in advance if this isn't the correct forum for my question (feel
free to direct me elsewhere). I would like to use Virtual PC 2007 to create a
virtual machine on my XP Pro box. The purpose of this is to create ANOTHER
copy of XP Pro on the same machine where I can run a bunch of OLDER versions
of certain programs for testing purposes. I want to keep the older program
versions completely separate from my "production" system. My question: Can I
just install the same copy of XP Pro (from the same CD) in the virtual
machine? I would be using the same product key. Are you required to ACTIVATE
Window in a virtual machine? My goal is to create a test environment without
having to purchase another copy of Windows. Is this possible or would this
violate the license agreement?

If this wont work, can anyone suggest an alternative solution for me?

Thanks.

"domtrump" <domtrump@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:2CB79752-0CC6-4801-8513-E027ACED7558@microsoft.com...
>I apologize in advance if this isn't the correct forum for my question
>(feel
> free to direct me elsewhere). I would like to use Virtual PC 2007 to
> create a
> virtual machine on my XP Pro box. The purpose of this is to create ANOTHER
> copy of XP Pro on the same machine where I can run a bunch of OLDER
> versions
> of certain programs for testing purposes. I want to keep the older program
> versions completely separate from my "production" system. My question: Can
> I
> just install the same copy of XP Pro (from the same CD) in the virtual
> machine? I would be using the same product key. Are you required to
> ACTIVATE
> Window in a virtual machine? My goal is to create a test environment
> without
> having to purchase another copy of Windows. Is this possible or would this
> violate the license agreement?
>
> If this wont work, can anyone suggest an alternative solution for me?
>
> Thanks.


It depends on the license for your version of XP. In almost all cases you
would need a separate license for each installed instance of XP, even if
it's installed in a vm. Each instance will need to be activated. Some
exceptions are MSDN versions of XP which can be installed multiple times for
testing purposes and volume licenses. With volume licenses you wouldn't have
to activate but each instance, even in a vm, would count as one installation
against your total license count.

--
Kerry Brown
MS-MVP - Windows Desktop Experience: Systems Administration
http://www.vista.ca/phpBB2/

No. A retail or OEM copy of XP permits one installation of the software.
Each installation requires its own license. It does not matter if the new
installation is on the same machine on another volume or in a virtual
machine. It is the same as if it were installed on another machine.

"domtrump" <domtrump@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:2CB79752-0CC6-4801-8513-E027ACED7558@microsoft.com...
>I apologize in advance if this isn't the correct forum for my question
>(feel
> free to direct me elsewhere). I would like to use Virtual PC 2007 to
> create a
> virtual machine on my XP Pro box. The purpose of this is to create ANOTHER
> copy of XP Pro on the same machine where I can run a bunch of OLDER
> versions
> of certain programs for testing purposes. I want to keep the older program
> versions completely separate from my "production" system. My question: Can
> I
> just install the same copy of XP Pro (from the same CD) in the virtual
> machine? I would be using the same product key. Are you required to
> ACTIVATE
> Window in a virtual machine? My goal is to create a test environment
> without
> having to purchase another copy of Windows. Is this possible or would this
> violate the license agreement?
>
> If this wont work, can anyone suggest an alternative solution for me?
>
> Thanks.