VM activated with 11 Pro, deactivated on CLI, remains activated

I just followed the instructions for deactivating Windows 11 Pro in a VM, because I want to use it in another. I followed steps found elsewhere on how to deactivate the instance:
The last two commands throw up an alert indicating success.

Yet, in Settings → System → Activation I see this:



This persists, even after a reboot. Is my Windows 11 Pro key reusable in another VM now, or not? Will the originally-activated VM remain so forever?

Baeolophus said:

I just followed the instructions for deactivating Windows 11 Pro in a VM, because I want to use it in another. I followed steps found elsewhere on how to deactivate the instance:

Powershell:

wmic path SoftwareLicensingService get OA3xOriginalProductKey
slmgr.vbs /upk
slmgr /cpky

The last two commands throw up an alert indicating success.

Yet, in Settings → System → Activation I see this:

View attachment 72548

This persists, even after a reboot. Is my Windows 11 Pro key reusable in another VM now, or not? Will the originally-activated VM remain so forever?

Click to expand...

Once a vm is activated with a digital licence, it will always remain activated.

cereberus said:

Once a vm is activated with a digital licence, it will always remain activated.

Click to expand...

Does this mean that I can recycle an activation code infinitely many times?

Maybe somebody can provide the answer, before I run the experiment, which will take some time.

One question first, as this will affect the answer:

What virtualization software are you using? VMware Workstation, Hyper-V, something else?

Baeolophus said:

Does this mean that I can recycle an activation code infinitely many times?

Maybe somebody can provide the answer, before I run the experiment, which will take some time.

Click to expand...

Just because you might be able your key more than once, you are still violating the EULA and that would be piracy and against forum rules to discuss for sure.

cereberus said:

Just because you might be able your key more than once, you are still violating the EULA and that would be piracy and against forum rules to discuss for sure.

Click to expand...

Very true. What I would point out is how to reinstall Win on the same VM while making a compact backup of it - not recycling it multiple systems.

In any case, I'm leaving now for the evening so will be unresponsive until tomorrow.

hsehestedt said:

One question first, as this will affect the answer:

What virtualization software are you using? VMware Workstation, Hyper-V, something else?

Click to expand...

Parallels on an M1 Max Mac.

Actually the whole concept of Virtual machines and EULA is rather confusing. What is CLEAR that you cannot use the same Windows License CONCURRENTLY. The definition of a Windows license per machine is also mis-leading since a virtual machine is a machine that is capable of running Windows. If the "Virtual Machine" has identical (or all but similar) "Virtual hardware" then it's to all intents and purposes "an Identical machine" and so in theory the Windows license should be allowable on it. If you used the same license for a physical Windows host and run a Windows VM on it with the same license then indeed that would be a violation since you would be running concurrent Windows with a single license.

I doubt whether Ms is going to come after you for making a few test VM's and using them privately at home -- obviously using in a commercial environment is another ball game. Perhaps a Lawyer here can clear this up a bit. -- Any offers !!!

Ms realizing many people are running several machines as a hobby etc perhaps should think about a decent tier below the hideously expensive enterprise VL system such as introducing an individual Multi-pack license - say for 3 or 4 machines. Ms get their money back anyway in all the free testing people do using insider builds and could kill the unofficial source of those cheap Windows deals.However corporate lawyers and other greedy stakeholders can never accept sensible logic if it effecrts their usually enormous fat salaries and profits.

cheers
jimbo

Baeolophus said:

Does this mean that I can recycle an activation code infinitely many times?

Maybe somebody can provide the answer, before I run the experiment, which will take some time.

Click to expand...

I did run the experiment:



I want my activation code back!

I tried to get Microsoft Support on this issue. Even chat support would be fine. I was being sent from Pontius to Pilate and then got to a spot, where I was asked to pay $499 for a single support incident. Wow!

Apple support is complimentary. In at least the last five years that I have had AppleCare (extended warranty and support for three years) I have never been asked for a device serial number for the purpose of verifying support coverage.

Check your Microsoft Account. I had all my VM licenses listed there, and I'm only able to recycle keys when I delete them from my account.

Baeolophus said:

Parallels on an M1 Max Mac.

Click to expand...

Bummer. Unfortunately, I have no experience with Parallels so I don't have a solution for you.

Sorry that I was unable to assist.

johnlgalt said:

Check your Microsoft Account. I had all my VM licenses listed there, and I'm only able to recycle keys when I delete them from my account.

Click to expand...

I don’t think, I ever signed in with my Microsoft after the VM was installed. I doubt it will be there. I will check, though.