How to (legally) get Windows virtual machine on linux via VirtualBox without buying Windows

Question

My goal is to install Windows 7 on a virtual machine running on Ubuntu. The Lenovo machine came with Windows 7 installed, but did not come with a boot disk.

What are my options? Should I ask Lenovo for a disk? Will I need to purchase Windows just for the virtual machine?

Solution 1

OEM licenses (the ones that come with factory built machines) only allow you to perform a clean installation on the original machine. The license does not allow for virtualization. So, you cannot re-use the one that came with the machine for this purpose without breaking the contract you electronically signed with Microsoft.

You can download a trial version if you meet the eligibility requirements laid out here. In all likelihood, if you do not have an MSDN account you need to buy Windows 7 from a retail store to remain legal.

Solution 2

You can virtualize your existing Windows 7 installation, either using the method ntw1103 mentions or using VMWare's Converter, which will turn it into a VMDK file.

This is perfectly legal if you have Win7 Pro. Microsoft's license does not allow virtualization (last time I looked) of less-expensive licenses of their operating systems. (This is as of XP and Vista, I haven't read the Win7 licenses in detail.)

It's a wild thought and probably won't work for you, but you might consider trying ReactOS, which is a Windows-impersonating OS, an operating system using no Microsoft code but attempting to duplicate all its APIs and run all Windows programs. It's currently in alpha but it looks interesting, and I believe you can download a VM containing ReactOS directly.

Solution 3

If you need it for testing purposes Microsoft has prepared virtual machines for many windows versions for compatibility testing.

https://dev.modern.ie/tools/vms/linux/

VMs expire after 90 days.

Solution 4

If your computer has windows 7 installed still, you can create a virtual hard disc copy of your machines hard drive. you can download Disk2vhd which will allow you to do this here: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/ee656415.aspx By doing this, you can get the windows7 install for your laptop turned into a virtual machine, and I believe this is legal?

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Comments

[peth]

This was found an illegal contractual binding in Germany in 2000, see reference I ZR 244/97.

[Eric Wilson]

Hmm . . . I don't need this VM for serious work, maybe I'll try it out.

[Kruug]

@user112553 not knowing the OP's nationality, does this apply only to Germany?

[Kruug]

@EricWilson Another alternative to ReactOS is Zorin-OS(.com). It attempts to mimic the layout of Windows 7 and uses WINE for running Windows programs.

[peth]

@Kruug I'm afraid so. No idea if license resale restrictions were challenged in other countries or if there is an EU directive that would trump.

[MSalters]

It would likely be found in violation of EU law. Can't add restrictions after selling Windows, even if that Windows sale happens to be tied to a PC sale. And it's insufficient to merely point out during the sale that restrictions exist. All terms of sale must be available for consideration. IOW, the defense "Nope, I wasn't told I couldn't do that" is a very strong defense and trumps a EULA in the EU. I guess that's some nominative irony.