virtualbox.org

I'm trying to figure out how to move a W7 guest to a new host without triggering reactivation. I've been through the activation thread, but still can't seem to move w/o W7 needing to be reactivated. I've followed these steps, which as I understand, should work - perhaps I'm missing something?

FWIW, both host and guest are W764 Pro.

1) Create the VM - The Machine UUID generated for this VM is "cff43d07-c35d-4736-bd43-37f04c15b996"
2) Run "VBoxManage modifyvm cff43d07-c35d-4736-bd43-37f04c15b996 --hardwareuuid efe827f0-6745-4012-be74-b0a68612940d"
This changes this:
<Hardware version="2">
to this:
<Hardware version="2" uuid="{efe827f0-6745-4012-be74-b0a68612940d}">
3) Install guest, update, configure needed software on guest, activate and shutdown guest.
4) Copy VirtualBox VMs\MyGuest folder to the VirtualBox VMs folder on the second computer and double click the .vbox file.
5) Guest boots on second computer and requires activation.

Doing this, the MAC Address, HD UUID, Machine UUID and Hardware UUIDs are all the same, yet W7 still asks to be reactivated. This is the first request I've received to setup a W7 guest, but I've done this plenty of times with XP without problems. Can anyone point out what I am doing wrong? Thanks, Thomas.

How different is the CPU on the two hosts? E.g. even with retail XP I've seen a change of CPU (between laptop and desktop versions of Core 2 Duo) trigger a reactivation.

It's something I plan to experiment with one day, but I haven't done it yet. The experiment would involve reproducing the DMI and/or VPD data between VMs (search user manual for these terms).

You might also want to read the "Windows 7 in both virtual and native" HOWTO. This is essentially about using the same Win7 image on two different PCs (one virtual, one native), and so must deal with similar issues.

If you're planning to move the VM to a new host and not use it on the old one anymore, just go ahead and reactivate. Microsoft gives you 5 times to reactivate before you have to call:

How many times can I activate Windows 7?

Applies To: Windows
Windows 7
Install, Upgrade and Activate



Windows can be activated any number of times, but your re-activation experience will vary based on the way you acquired Windows.
•
If you acquired Windows via retail purchase (boxed product), you may activate via the Internet the first five times. Subsequent activations are allowed but must be completed via telephone.

•
If you acquire Windows pre-installed on a computer, re-installation would not require additional activation steps unless significant hardware changes were made.

(http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/wind ... e8dbb1f818).