Can I purchase windows 10/11 license and install it on a VM server on a cloud provider?

Question

The cloud provider we currently use doesn't offer the feature of creating vm servers with Windows OS license. Thus, we have to seperately purchase a license and install manually on a vm server where the cloud provider only offers the selected version of windows images.

Can I purchase windows 10/11 license and install it on a VM server on a cloud provider? and we can use RDP to work on it.

Answer 1

Hello Teerawat,

Thank you for your question and for reaching out with your question today.

Yes, you can purchase a Windows 10 or Windows 11 license and install it on a virtual machine (VM) hosted on a cloud provider's infrastructure. This is commonly known as "BYOL" (Bring Your Own License). Many cloud providers allow customers to bring their own licenses for certain operating systems, including Windows.

Here are the general steps to follow:

1. Purchase the Windows License: Obtain the required Windows 10 or Windows 11 license from Microsoft or an authorized reseller. Ensure that the license you purchase is appropriate for the number of VMs and users you plan to use.
2. Choose a Cloud Provider: Select a cloud provider that supports the virtualization platform you want to use (e.g., Microsoft Azure, AWS, Google Cloud Platform, etc.). Ensure that the cloud provider allows customers to use their own Windows licenses.
3. Create the Virtual Machine: Create a VM on the cloud provider's platform and select the appropriate Windows image/version provided by the cloud provider. This image typically includes a clean installation of Windows without a product key.
4. Activate Windows: After creating the VM, you will need to activate Windows using the product key you purchased. Access the VM through Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) or any other remote access method provided by the cloud provider.
5. Enter the Product Key: Once connected to the VM, go to "Control Panel" > "System and Security" > "System," and then click on "Change product key" or "Activate Windows" (the specific option might vary based on the Windows version).
6. Enter the Product Key: Enter the product key you purchased, and Windows will be activated on the VM.

After completing these steps, you should have a fully activated Windows VM running on the cloud provider's infrastructure, and you can use RDP or any other remote access method to work on the VM as if it were a local machine.

Keep in mind that the specific steps might vary slightly based on the cloud provider and the virtualization platform you choose. Additionally, ensure that you comply with the licensing terms and conditions provided by Microsoft for using Windows in virtualized environments.

If you have any questions or concerns about licensing or the specific cloud provider's policies, consider reaching out to their support or sales teams for clarification.

I used AI provided by ChatGPT to formulate part of this response. I have verified that the information is accurate before sharing it with you.

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Best regards.