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Just got a new Lenovo Legion and want to wipe drive and install Linux as the primary OS, and then use my current Windows 10 as a VM on Linux.

Will I need to retrive the product key or I do not need to as the digital licensing will take care of activation on the VM?

Thanks!

Dougie
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  • Perhaps use the Converter app for your Virtualizing App to make a VM out of your system before wiping it and before installing Linux. Then make a VM out of the converted image. That may work - I am not certain. It might be best to use Hyper-V for this. – John Feb 07 '21 at 17:30

2 Answers2

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Digital licensing on the host does not apply for the activation of the VM, since the emulated hardware is very different from the host's hardware.

I have in the past virtualized Windows servers that reached end-of-life with success. This is called Physical-to-Virtual (P2V). The tool I have used was vCenter Converter, but this was years ago.

Another option might be the Hyper-V Microsoft Virtual Machine Converter.

Still another is Physical To Virtual (P2V) using VirtualBox.

For more information and tools see the following posts. Some are pretty old, but contain useful information. You will have to see which ones still work today.

harrymc
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  • Your answer was very helpful. I researched all options and will be going with the converting to vdi image. How does the licensing work then? Once on the hypervisor it will determine it is a copy of a licensed Windows? – Dougie Feb 08 '21 at 00:08
  • The P2v method conserves the activation status, or at least several years ago when I did it. – harrymc Feb 08 '21 at 06:23
  • OK many thanks. I can't seem to upvote as it says I have less than 15 reputation stats? – Dougie Feb 08 '21 at 11:48
  • Just a matter of time. Thanks. – harrymc Feb 08 '21 at 12:24
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I did exactly this.

Most computers that come with Windows pre-installed have their key attached to the back with a sticker.

I used that key for the Windows VM.

The key allows just one copy, so as long as you erase the copy on disk before creating the VM (which is what you intend to do), it's within contract.

Paddy Landau
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