Question about using Windows 7 as Guest OS on Ubuntu

[arunb]

Hi,

I have a tricky question about using Windows 7 (Guest OS) on Ubuntu 12.04 (host OS).

I have installed and activated Windows 7 (prof) on Ubuntu 12.04.

is it possible to have multiple copies of Windows 7 in Ubuntu ?? I intend to rename the .vdi file and use it to boot from.
What about activation policy, do I have re-activate each copy of Windows 7

thanks
a

[Perryg]

is it possible to have multiple copies of Windows 7 in Ubuntu ?? I intend to rename the .vdi file and use it to boot from.
What about activation policy, do I have re-activate each copy of Windows 7

It is possible but licensing issues need to be taken up with Microsoft. Activation is going to be required, but here again this is a Microsoft requirement and not a concern of the virtualizer.

[arunb]

hi,

but as the system is already activated, i am just going to copy the entire vdi file and rename it to something else and simply make another machine file , so will this still need to be activated ??

thanks
a

[Perryg]

Do you plan to run it? At the same time?

[arunb]

yes

[mpack]

but as the system is already activated, i am just going to copy the entire vdi file and rename it to something else and simply make another machine file , so will this still need to be activated ??

VirtualBox will not allow you to register multiple copies of the same VDI - you have to clone them. And yes, Win7 will require separate activation for each copy since it sees each VM as having a different motherboard signature. Whether MS allows you to activate that many clones is a matter between you and MS.

p.s. Moving this topic to "Windows Guests" since the host OS is not relevant to the question asked.