Updated: July 14, 2020 (May 21, 2007)
Charts & IllustrationsDesktop OS Virtualization Licensing
Desktop OS licensing normally requires one OS license for each operating environment, whether it is the host OS or a guest OS. However, when customers have Software Assurance (SA) on the Windows desktop OS, they are eligible for additional virtualization rights, with one virtual machine (VM) permitted on Windows XP and up to four on Vista Enterprise or Ultimate. Microsoft desktop applications are not covered in this table, but as long as one application license is assigned to a device, any number of instances of that application or previous versions of the application can run on the device with no further licenses required.
Desktop OS Edition | License per VM | License per VM with Software Assurance |
Windows XP Pro | 1 | 0, 1 VM permitted |
Vista Home Basic, Premium | Not permitted | NA |
Vista Business | 1 | 0, up to 4 installed VMs* |
Vista Enterprise | 1 | 0, up to 4 installed VMs |
Vista Ultimate | 1 | 0, up to 4 installed VMs |
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