Frugal advice on a obtaining legit copy of Win 7 for a VM I'm adding.
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 So then whoever made the comment about purchasing old NSA equipment and taking that key is outside of bounds in Microsoft's Eyes... Just sayin' 
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 To answer the OP, 
 It depends on where the VM will live. If the VM will be on a single desktop/laptop, then you need to purchase a Full Box Product license to put assign to that machine - you can't take an OEM from another computer and move it to this machine.If you want to run the VM remotely, and access it over the network/internet/whatever, then you have to either purchase VDI for the, I think, every machine that will access the VM, or you can purchase SA for every machine that will access it. 
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 OEM licenses can never move, no matter what the circumstances. They are where they started and they die when that device retires. 
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 @Dashrender said: You couldn't purchase a XP license for a machine and install that instance as a VM? one license one VM, not accessed remotely? I was told (and I submitted it as such to a self audit from MS) that a retail copy can be installed that way. I never got a clear answer if an OEM license (never installed elsewhere) could be installed in a VM legally. It lets you obviously, but that does not mean it is in the terms of the EULA. One could infer that an OEM license installed as a VM would legally be tied to that physical host though. You would not legally be allowed to migrate it to a new host later. 
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 @JaredBusch said: I was told (and I submitted it as such to a self audit from MS) that a retail copy can be installed that way. I asked about this a few times and never got a clear answer. But it logically seems to make sense that doing this should be okay. 
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 @JaredBusch said: @Dashrender said: You couldn't purchase a XP license for a machine and install that instance as a VM? one license one VM, not accessed remotely? I was told (and I submitted it as such to a self audit from MS) that a retail copy can be installed that way. I never got a clear answer if an OEM license (never installed elsewhere) could be installed in a VM legally. It lets you obviously, but that does not mean it is in the terms of the EULA. One could infer that an OEM license installed as a VM would legally be tied to that physical host though. You would not legally be allowed to migrate it to a new host later. I was pretty sure a full license would work like this, I didn't mention the OEM because, like you, I don't know. 
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 Well, I'm looking for a cheap OEM of WIN 7 - immediate delivery of the key preferred. In fact, if any of you have an install image that would be helpful - I was planning on just rooting around for one. Purchase of a cheap key is the intent of the post though. 
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 No idea where you would be able to get that. 
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 @mlnews said: No idea where you would be able to get that. Ditto - I'm guessing something like Tiger Direct or one of the other shops like that might have some, but likely you'll have to wait for it to be mailed to you. 
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 Ask Google like anything else...  
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 This is not immediate key delivery though. The thing is you do not need that to get the install done.. just add the key once the disc arrives. 
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 @anonymous said: @JaredBusch said: Ask Google like anything else... Doesn't look legal to me.... A few more choices.. 
  
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 I did try the google thing - there are a number of sites with low prices and seemingly good ratings - but checking into them for legitimacy is time consuming. For instance, both those top online stores (software plaza and Tek-Micro) have several complaints about the keys not getting delivered or not actually working. I threw it up to you guys to see if any of you had a reputable channel I purchase through. Thanks for all the replies though guys. I appreciate the advice. 





