Activation of Windows XP on VM

Dear Microsoft,

Unfortunately we had some very important legacy software that run on Windows XP only.

My vendor told me to clone the hard disk to VM and then seek Microsoft to activate it as this is how he

got his cloned Windows XP work.

We successfully cloned it to VM but Windows XP prompted us to activate the product.

We tried activating it with product key from DELL PC and telephone as well but it does not work.

Kindly assist us to activate the Windows XP on VM.

Regards, Billy

You need a Retail Key to activate a VM, or an OEM System Builders license that has not been used; not an OEM preinstalled key from a Dell, HP, etc. computer.

They are only designed to run on the hardware it was preinstalled on.

You were given the wrong advice, or he conned Microsoft.

Thanks Bill.

Can I get the OEM System Builders license from MS Store ?

Thanks for you advice.

No, you can't

Microsoft and its resellers have not sold XP for many years and there is no where safe to recommend buying it from.

Warning:

You do not buy a Product Key by itself, as they are normally stolen/pirated, Volume Licenses which are not for private use, or MSDN keys which are not to be sold by the original subscription holder.

Make sure that you buy the complete sealed package (DVD, license)

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/howtotell/Shop.aspx

Read Section: Beware of Product Keys sold separately