I recently switched a laptop from Windows 11 to Linux Mint and I'm mostly satisfied with the transition. However, I need to run a specific work application that's only available for Windows. I don't want to dual boot unless I have to, and my coworkers haven't been successful in getting the app to work under WINE. So, I'm considering setting up a Windows virtual machine on my Linux system.
My main question is about the use of an OEM Windows license for the VM. I've come across conflicting information—some say you can't use it while others hint that it might be possible but don't provide clear guidance. Can anyone clarify if I can use my OEM Windows license in a VM? If not, what alternatives are available for running a Windows VM?
2 Answers
You should be able to extract your OEM activation key from the firmware and use it to activate Windows in the VM. For setting it up, I suggest using a front-end for QEMU/KVM—virt-manager is an option, though it’s technically deprecated. Alternatively, you can check out Cockpit, which is more user-friendly. Also, there are some good guides out there, like one from Chris Titus, for optimizing Windows performance in a QEMU VM.
Absolutely, I managed to do it with my setup! Just grab the OEM key and input it in the Windows activation window in the VM. This should deactivate your previous activation and transfer the license over. If you need help finding the key, there's a guide here: https://www.cyberciti.biz/faq/linux-find-windows-10-oem-product-key-command/.
This advice is super helpful! I followed it for my Windows 11 activation, and it worked like a charm. Thanks for sharing!