For my Windows 11 laptop, can I use the same Windows product key on my VMs, without having to pay for a license for each VM?

frob 4,261 Reputation points
2023-01-19T22:49:14.1833333+00:00

Hi there

For my Windows 11 laptop, can I use the same Windows product key on my VMs, without having to pay a license for each VM?

Thanks.

Windows for business | Windows Client for IT Pros | User experience | Other
0 comments No comments
{count} votes

Accepted answer
  1. Anonymous
    2023-01-19T23:39:54.1766667+00:00

    From this document

    https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/Useterms/OEM/Windows/10/Useterms_OEM_Windows_10_English.htm

    Use in a virtualized environment. This license allows you to install only one instance of the software for use on one device, whether that device is physical or virtual. If you want to use the software on more than one virtual device, you must obtain a separate license for each instance.

    --please don't forget to upvote and Accept as answer if the reply is helpful--

    1 person found this answer helpful.

1 additional answer

Sort by: Most helpful
  1. S.Sengupta 24,636 Reputation points MVP
    2023-01-20T02:09:11.27+00:00

    No, you cannot use the same product key.

    The number of Windows licenses depends on the number of processors and processor cores, so you are licensing hardware instead of software. If you use the same license of your PC for a virtual machine, it will state “This product key is being used on another PC”.

    1 person found this answer helpful.

Your answer

Answers can be marked as Accepted Answers by the question author, which helps users to know the answer solved the author's problem.