Just a Simple Question

gam40000 · Aug 30, 2011

If I were to purchase a legit copy of windows seven, download a virtual machine, use the windows seven to run off the virtual machine. Then say for some reason i don't like the virtual machine and want to bootcamp my MBP.

Would the same copy of Windows Seven work If i have already used it to run on the virtual machine.

I guess what I am asking is can I use the same copy of windows seven (Legit Copy) for a Virtual Machine and Bootcamp if I don't like the VM?

Thanks for your help!

SammySlim · Aug 30, 2011

You have it backwards. You would install Windows 7 in Boot Camp FIRST, then install your virtual machine software (Fusion, Parallels or VirtualBox). Then, you would ask your virtual machine software to create a virtual machine from your Boot Camp installation. With that, you can either run Win7 in a virtual machine under OSX or reboot into Win7. Only one copy of Windows needed.

Cheers

gam40000 · Aug 30, 2011

SammySlim said:
You have it backwards. You would install Windows 7 in Boot Camp FIRST, then install your virtual machine software (Fusion, Parallels or VirtualBox). Then, you would ask your virtual machine software to create a virtual machine from your Boot Camp installation. With that, you can either run Win7 in a virtual machine under OSX or reboot into Win7. Only one copy of Windows needed.

Cheers

Why would I install it in Bootcamp first? what I mean is get the trial version of VMWare and install it on my MBP then run windows seven in the VMWare. Then if for some reason I want to bootcamp my MBP, ca I use the same copy of Windows 7.

I want to avoid boot camping my MBP unless I have to because it seems like more people have problems with it than are successful with it.

neilf · Aug 30, 2011

gam40000 said:
Why would I install it in Bootcamp first? what I mean is get the trial version of VMWare and install it on my MBP then run windows seven in the VMWare. Then if for some reason I want to bootcamp my MBP, ca I use the same copy of Windows 7.

I want to avoid boot camping my MBP unless I have to because it seems like more people have problems with it than are successful with it.

Never had any problems with Bootcamp in 4 years!

What sort of problems are you hearing about?

gam40000 · Aug 30, 2011

SammySlim said:
You have it backwards. You would install Windows 7 in Boot Camp FIRST, then install your virtual machine software (Fusion, Parallels or VirtualBox). Then, you would ask your virtual machine software to create a virtual machine from your Boot Camp installation. With that, you can either run Win7 in a virtual machine under OSX or reboot into Win7. Only one copy of Windows needed.

Cheers

neilf said:
Never had any problems with Bootcamp in 4 years!

What sort of problems are you hearing about?

Idk now that I think about it, there are not alot. Just the ones that get posted on the forums every now and again.

So if i try a VM first and then decide i want to bootcamp my MBP later I can use the same copy of Windows 7?

SammySlim · Aug 30, 2011

No you can't unless you delete the VM. That's the point. You can use the same version of Windows to create a BC partition and then a VM off of it, but not the other way around. I read your OP to mean that you wanted the flexibility to run Windows both ways on the same machine. The BC-first, VM-second approach is the only way to do that.

If all you want is to run it one way, then sure, do the VM and see how you like it. I would make the call before you activate Windows (that will just be simpler); if you don't like the VM, then delete the virtual machine and go ahead with the BC install.

Cheers

gam40000 · Aug 30, 2011

SammySlim said:
No you can't unless you delete the VM. That's the point. You can use the same version of Windows to create a BC partition and then a VM off of it, but not the other way around. I read your OP to mean that you wanted the flexibility to run Windows both ways on the same machine. The BC-first, VM-second approach is the only way to do that.

If all you want is to run it one way, then sure, do the VM and see how you like it. I would make the call before you activate Windows (that will just be simpler); if you don't like the VM, then delete the virtual machine and go ahead with the BC install.

Cheers

Yes, I want to run them at separate times, First tryout the VM, then if I don't like it I would delete the VM and bootcamp my MBP,

from the way I read your post If I do it that way I can use the same copy of Windows?

SammySlim · Aug 30, 2011

Yes. Just make the choice before activating your copy of Win7 in the VM (you have 30 days to activate)

gam40000 · Aug 30, 2011

ohh so if I activate Windows 7 in the VM then decide I don't want to use a VM and bootcamp my MBP then I would have to get a new Copy of Windows?

Aptmunich · Aug 31, 2011

No you can switch your activation - Windows will ask you if detects that the key is being used with completely different hardware (if I remember correctly).

gam40000 · Aug 31, 2011

Aptmunich said:
No you can switch your activation - Windows will ask you if detects that the key is being used with completely different hardware (if I remember correctly).

Great thanks!

I am new to this stuff and I want to make sure I am not purchasing unneeded things because I didn't do research

Thank you for dealing with me elementary questions

SammySlim · Aug 31, 2011

It's just easier to only activate once. Sometimes you have to call them.

Cheers