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Using my windows product key on a virtual machine INSTEAD

I just got a new Lenovo Carbon X1. It came with a Windows 10 Pro license.

I want to install Ubuntu on that laptop instead of windows and then run Windows as a VM.

Is it possible to re-use that product key for that VM?

No, OEM licenses can't be transferred. Then again, the virtual machine is considered as ANOTHER COMPUTER, so Windows won't use it. You'd need to buy another license.

It's easy to ride down a hill while it's hard to climb the hill back up.
Like that, it's easy to malfunction a computer while it's hard to fix it.

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PS: if it's a RETAIL license, you can move it. Just sign in to the virtual Windows using the account with Digital License linked.

It's easy to ride down a hill while it's hard to climb the hill back up.
Like that, it's easy to malfunction a computer while it's hard to fix it.

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Thanks @Joel,

How can I tell if my license is RETAIL?

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(I'm not Joel, I'm Joe. It's actually 1 at the end.)

Right-click Start button > choose Command Prompt as administrator > click Yes when prompted > paste this command and press Enter:

slmgr /dlv

Upload a screenshot here.

Steps on how to add a screenshot to a reply: https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_other-windows_programs/how-to-include-a-screenshot-in-your-post/2594b08e-32a3-476a-85a6-b021181be7e4

It's easy to ride down a hill while it's hard to climb the hill back up.
Like that, it's easy to malfunction a computer while it's hard to fix it.

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Oh, sorry! Thought the 1 stood for an l :-)

Here it is -

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Seems like an OEM :-)

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You're right, it's an OEM license, thus it can't be moved to another device / VM. :)

It's easy to ride down a hill while it's hard to climb the hill back up.
Like that, it's easy to malfunction a computer while it's hard to fix it.

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Hi lizozom,

I am Dave, I will help you with this.

Even though you will be running Windows 10 on the same hardware, because you will be using a VM, the Windows licensing service will see that as a new separate PC and so you cannot use the OEM licence stored on the chip on your motherboard on a VM on that laptop.
___________________________________________________________________

Power to the Developer!

MSI GV72 - 17.3", i7-8750H (Hex Core), 32GB DDR4, 4GB GeForce GTX 1050 Ti, 256GB NVMe M2, 2TB HDD

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Last updated December 25, 2021 Views 268 Applies to: