BootCamp Windows License confusion

[gobikerider]

Hi I want to install Windows 10 through Bootcamp on my MacBook. My question is wether or not I have the right to do that with my existing copy of Windows 10 Home, or if I need to buy a whole new copy of Windows 10 to use it in a VM. To simplify Does Windows 10 include rights to run both on a local machine (gaming pc in my case) but also a virtualized copy (for my Mac)? Or does Microsoft expect another $130

 

[MacDawg]

If your VM software is Fusion or Parallels, you will be able to access your Bootcamp install

Edit: It looks like you want Windows on a separate PC and a Mac, but you mentioned Bootcamp and VM. If it is on 2 separate machines hardware, yes you will need 2 copies. If you Bootcamp and run Virtualization (Fusion/Parallels) you can install once and access it by Bootcamp and by VM.

 

[slooksterPSV]

Licensing restrictions limit to one pc. You also cannot transfer a license. You could use a Remote Desktop took such as teamviewer to access your pc but it has to be on.

 

[gobikerider]

Licensing restrictions limit to one pc. You also cannot transfer a license. You could use a Remote Desktop took such as teamviewer to access your pc but it has to be on.

Darn it
[doublepost=1520553792][/doublepost]

If your VM software is Fusion or Parallels, you will be able to access your Bootcamp install

Edit: It looks like you want Windows on a separate PC and a Mac, but you mentioned Bootcamp and VM. If it is on 2 separate machines hardware, yes you will need 2 copies. If you Bootcamp and run Virtualization (Fusion/Parallels) you can install once and access it by Bootcamp and by VM.

Thanks for your clarification...would there be any downside to running Windows and just it being non activated ?

 

[2580285]

I'm not sure if I fully understand your issue, but if you have a Mac and a Windows PC:
- if the PC came with Windows the license is probably tied to that machine (the manufacturers pay less for a copy of Windows than we do, but that copy is limited in the sense that it will work only on that machine);
- if you have purchased a copy of Windows 10 Home and you installed it on a PC, and now you want to use Windows on your Mac via Bootcamp, you can transfer the license to the new installation and remove the activation from the previous PC;
- if you have a Windows 10 PC which you want to continue running and you want to add another installation of Windows in Bootcamp, you will need to purchase a new copy of Windows;
- once you have a dual booting Mac with macOS on one side and Windows on the other side, you can use VMWare Fusion to run your Windows partition as a virtual machine (I haven't ever done it so I can't be more informative about this).

One license = one installation. You can transfer it between if you purchased it on your own, you generally can't if Windows came preinstalled in a PC you bought.

I don't know about inactivated copies of Windows. Sure, they do run, but I don't know which are the limitations.

For further information in this article you have a pretty comprehensive explanation of the various scenarios: https://www.howtogeek.com/261053/when-can-you-move-a-windows-license-to-a-new-pc/.

 

[DeltaMac]

Although prior to Windows 10, Windows would stop working after 30 days if the activation was not complete, Windows 10 can run (forever, I think) without any activation, although you will find that you can't customize the system, such as changing the wallpaper, and other appearance settings. I have only limited experience with using Windows 10, but have not ever activated the install - and have not had any issue with the variety of apps that I use. Just can't change how the system looks, and other customization, along with a constant reminder on the desktop that "Windows is not activated" That doesn't bother me at all, but some users would want to purchase a license in that situation.

 

[goutamrohit36]

I also facing the same problem I use. Just can't change how the system looks, and other customization, along with a constant reminder on the desktop that "Windows is not activated" That doesn't bother me at all, HP Customer Service Number but some users would want to purchase a license in that situation.

 

[dancingbrook]

It looks like Windows 10 will install and run without actually activating:
https://www.howtogeek.com/244678/you-dont-need-a-product-key-to-install-and-use-windows-10/

 

[TommyBoy5]

Just as said above, this is easy. Download the 64-bit Windows ISO directly from Microsoft. Install it with Bootcamp. You're done. In two months I've received exactly one pop-up reminding me to activate. I can't change the wallpaper but don't care at all. Everything works perfectly. This was one of the most pleasant surprises with my new 2019 MBP. I now have a Windows 10 PC as well and it cost be a whole $0.