Disable Windows 7 Activation - Problems With Virtualisation

[kolax]

I have Boot Camp set up so Parallels Desktop can access it. Trouble is, whenever I boot up using Parallels, Windows Activation fails. If I boot up in Boot Camp, and reactive, all is fine.

Rather annoying - Windows functions fine (as far as I'm aware) when the activation fails, but it just means that I have to keep closing the popup box that appears.

Best way to sort all of this?

 

[balamw]

Best way to sort all of this?

Do you have Parallels Tools installed? At least with VMWare, the tools help smooth all of this out by making the VM look like an alternate hardware configuration of the same box (like a docked laptop).

B

 

[Miker2k]

I have a similar issue. My bootcamp is golden but when I open my bootcamp in Fusion it prompts me to activate. It's irritating but liveable.

 

[jace88]

I posted a link somewhere on here only a few days ago to Parallels knowledgebase on this matter.

Basically you need to a) install Parallels Tools (update first) and b) Set Parallels and your Windows network adaptor to the same MAC address. Then activate first in Windows Boot Camp, then in Parallels. That worked for me.

 

[Mac-key]

Do you have Parallels Tools installed? At least with VMWare, the tools help smooth all of this out by making the VM look like an alternate hardware configuration of the same box (like a docked laptop).

B

so are you saying by installing vmware tools that that will allow you to run the same win7 OS (more importantly the SAME product code) on both bootcamp and the VM without activation issues?

I talked with microsoft today and the lady insisted I would need to buy a whole new win7 retail copy and install it on my VM if I wanted it to work smoothly. Which is total crap since I bought a legitimate retail copy! It's my understanding (from countless threads read) if we buy a retail copy we can move it around and use it on different computers.

either way, just curious if anybody has heard this from MS?

 

[balamw]

so are you saying by installing vmware tools that that will allow you to run the same win7 OS (more importantly the SAME product code) on both bootcamp and the VM without activation issues?

Works for me. I have Win 7 Pro 32 bit on the uMB and Win 7 Ulitmate 64 bit on the MBP. Both are activated and work fine in either Boot Camp or Fusion. NOTE: This is the case when VMWare boots the BC partition, not a totally separate VM.

I did have an activation dropout while updating VMWare Tools in one update, but that was my own stupidity for hitting the button when Windows came up with the "This copy of Windows is not genuine" thing during the upgrade.

Whether this is fully in line with the EULA remains a bit of a question. Here is the language:

Use with Virtualization Technologies. Instead of using the software directly on the licensed computer, you may install and use the software within only one virtual (or otherwise emulated) hardware system on the licensed computer. When used in a virtualized environment, content protected by digital rights management technology, BitLocker or any full volume disk drive encryption technology may not be as secure as protected content not in a virtualized environment. You should comply with all domestic and international laws that apply to such protected content.

The question is with the "instead of" language.

B

 

[kolax]

Basically you need to a) install Parallels Tools (update first) and b) Set Parallels and your Windows network adaptor to the same MAC address. Then activate first in Windows Boot Camp, then in Parallels. That worked for me.

How do I go about changing the network adapter to the same MAC address in Parallels and Windows?

 

[TPadden]

I just did the phone activation (automated) for the VM copy; input the numbers, make sure you answer 1 for the number of computers the OS copy is installed on (it is on 1 computer) and input the automated numbers I was given - activation successful.

 

[Dr McKay]

If this problem persists, ring up Microsoft, inform them that you are trying to run it in a virtual machine. And they'll happily provide you with another key.

 

[Mac-key]

If this problem persists, ring up Microsoft, inform them that you are trying to run it in a virtual machine. And they'll happily provide you with another key.

I guess this depends on who you talk to at Microsoft, because the lady I spoke with today said they DO NOT give out additional product codes and that I would have to purchase a whole new one.

However, to back up your post - I have read where several people have indeed called microsoft and got this resolved without having to buy anything. I'm assuming this happened for you since you posted this info.

 

[balamw]

I guess this depends on who you talk to at Microsoft

Can you clarify if you are trying to boot your existing Boot Camp partition or a separate VM? The former should work entirely through the automated system. No one to talk to but a machine.

B

 

[Mac-key]

Can you clarify if you are trying to boot your existing Boot Camp partition or a separate VM? The former should work entirely through the automated system. No one to talk to but a machine.

B

I am talking about booting from my existing boot camp partition. I felt like I explained that to the lady on the phone at Microsoft, but maybe she didn't understand exactly what I was saying. She continued to say you need to purchase another product code to activate a VM. Which would make sense if you wanted to run a SEPARATE virtual machine.

either way, I've seen where people simply make a call and get it resolved.