Microsoft has just published on its license terms webpage the details of licenses for each Vista version.
One term targets users of Mac OS X and virtualization software users, according to the French-language MacBidouille’s English translation site HardMac, “One can not use emulation or virtualization solutions with Vista Home (Premium and Basic). Parallels and soon VMWare will not be allowed to make this Vista version running on their system. One will need to acquire Vista Ultimate or Business (US$399 and US$299 respectively) to make it possible. It will for sure limit the usage to Pro users, probably a way for Microsoft to prevent PC users to buy a Mac or even considering switching.”
Full article here.
From Microsoft’s Software License Terms for Windows Vista Home Basic and Home Premium:
You may not use the software installed on the licensed device within a virtual (or otherwise emulated) hardware system.
From Microsoft’s Software License Terms for Windows Vista Ultimate:
You may use the software installed on the licensed device within a virtual (or otherwise emulated) hardware system on the licensed device. If you do so, you may not play or access content or use applications protected by any Microsoft digital, information or enterprise rights management technology or other Microsoft rights management services or use BitLocker. We advise against playing or accessing content or using applications protected by other digital, information or enterprise rights management technology or other rights management services or using full volume disk drive encryption.
MacDailyNews Take: How long until that little limitation is cracked? Of course, Apple’s Boot Camp is not virtualization and is not affected by this licensing issue. To date, Apple’s official line (as per Apple VP Phil Schiller via Macworld in July) is that “we’re not going to do” virtualization in Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard, “our solution is dual boot.”
Related articles:
Microsoft’s Windows Vista will limit reinstall to one time and one time only – October 13, 2006
CNET: Microsoft’s Windows Vista still not ready for prime time – October 12, 2006
Thurrott: ‘You don’t need Windows Vista’ – October 11, 2006
Microsoft’s Windows Vista spyware may prompt users to upgrade to Apple Mac – October 09, 2006
Windows Vista gaming will be 10-15 percent slower than XP – October 09, 2006
Analyst: Microsoft’s new activation scheme will give users another reason not to upgrade to Vista – October 05, 2006
IT Managers: Do you need Windows Vista or should you ‘Get a Mac?” – September 11, 2006
Infoworld: Microsoft’s WIndows Vista not so revolutionary after all – September 11, 2006
Pirillo: Windows Vista RC1 disappointing, schizophrenic, disordered, inconsistent, and sad – September 07, 2006
Key Microsoft exec exits as clock ticks down on oft-delayed, much pared-down Windows Vista release – September 06, 2006
$399 for Windows Vista Ultimate?! (Hint: Get a Mac) – August 29, 2006
Development approaches of Mac OS X Leopard vs. Windows Vista yield very different results – August 15, 2006
Analyst: Apple’s new Mac OS X Leopard sets new bar, leaves Microsoft’s Vista in the dust – August 08, 2006
Symantec researcher: At this time, there are no file-infecting viruses that can infect Mac OS X – July 13, 2006
Sophos: Apple Mac OS X’s security record unscathed; Windows Vista malware just a matter of time – July 07, 2006
Computerworld: Microsoft Windows Vista a distant second-best to Apple Mac OS X – June 02, 2006
Mafia$oft is bailing water out of a sinking ship that has a hole the size of Paris Hilton’s.
Who knows, maybe Leopord will include a way to run two OS’s natavily at the same time and switch between them, or maybe even have one in a window, or have them both side by side.
So they’ll just limit Vista from being purchased by doing this. Everyone will stick with XP which at this point is probably a good idea. I would like to know how they are going to know if you are running it on a virtual machine or a real one. Are they going to incorporate some kind of software to detect a virtual enviroment? Or is this some kind of stupid scare tactic.
Man, what is next…. ok, so MacroSwift is preventing the use of virtualization….. what’s next, a deal with Dell where the License states you can’t run it in any branded computer other than Dell ?
What does MS have to gain by this ? To me it is just plain jealousy and being scared sh!tless over the whole OSX thing – to me this is simply a very imature business move – “WAAAAAAH – Apple makes OSes so much better than mine…. lets punish anyone that doesn’t buy our piece of @#!$”
I would think that this could eventually be construed as monopolizing with PC Hardware manufacturers anyways…. Microsoft is trying to coerce a market that they have no skin in.
Wonder how VMWare will take this news
To TJ: That’s been true for quite a while already – the standard OEM Windows is tied to the machine it came on and can’t be transfered to a new machine.
To Everyone: There’s another “little gem” in this new license:
15. REASSIGN TO ANOTHER DEVICE.
a. Software Other than Windows Anytime Upgrade. The first user of the software may
reassign the license to another device one time. If you reassign the license, that other device
becomes the “licensed device.”
Even if you buy a retail upgrade – you can only move it to a new computer ONCE!
M$ is total crap. I wish the flush would just happen…
Hey!!! no big deal
I made the switch last July, use parallels with XP for a few app’s (work) not on the Mac,
myself and the vast majority of Parallels user have no intention of ever using Vista, If it comes down that I need a “Vista only” app, (work) I will use boot camp.
Just a scare tactic by M$
GREEEEEEEEEEEED !!!!!!!
I need say no more
MS is trying to bend us over and zune us again.
Two things:
1) Boot Camp will legally allow a dual boot of Vista.
2) Fast user switching will enable on the fly tabbing between OS’s (ie. between Vista and OS X)
One more thing:
1) Vista sucks zune squirts.
Yea, earth to Mac heads: you read the EULA wrong. The restriction does not prevent you from running the OS on Virtualized hardware, it prevents you from running a SECOND COPY of the OS in a VM. The Ultimate/Business licenses DO ALLOW you to run essentially two copies, one physical and one virtual. So, not only is this not a new restriction, it is actually a give-away from Microsoft since no version of XP allows simultaneous host/guest use under one license today.
now what does someone do in a mac collumn that has a handle called Fanboy killer.. gee let me guess why they are here.. ummmmm nope sorry cant figure that one…