With the release of Windows Vista on Tuesday, the final
end-user licensing agreement (EULA) is reaching the eyes of the masses – for those
who actually care to read through it instead of blindly clicking “next.”
One particular clause found in specific versions of Windows
Vista is catching the attention of many Mac users, particularly those using Parallels
Desktop software, which allows Mac users to run the new Windows OS on their
systems. The Parallels
Virtualization blog found that only the higher-end versions of Vista permit
the use of virtualization software.
The EULA for Vista Home Basic and Home Premium Editions is
quite clear in its stance on virtualization:
“USE WITH VIRTUALIZATION TECHNOLOGIES.
You may not use the software installed on the licensed device within a virtual
(or otherwise emulated) hardware system.”
On the other hand, the EULA for Vista Business and
Ultimate Editions allows virtualization, but with some boundaries:
“USE WITH VIRTUALIZATION TECHNOLOGIES.
You may use the software installed on the licensed device within a virtual (or
otherwise emulated) hardware system on the licensed device. If you do so, you
may not play or access content or use applications protected by any Microsoft
digital, information or enterprise rights management technology or other
Microsoft rights management services or use BitLocker. We advise against
playing or accessing content or using applications protected by other digital,
information or enterprise rights management technology or other rights
management services or using full volume disk drive encryption.”
For most Wintel PC users, the limitations set forth in the
EULA for the Home versions of Windows Vista are meaningless. But for Mac and
Linux users, the restriction to the top tier Windows Vista SKUs means a greater
investment is required to virtually run the new OS. Microsoft believes that the
main users of virtualization technology are businesses who can afford the added
cost.
“Most customers using this technology are primarily business
users addressing application compatibility needs, or technology enthusiasts,”
said a Microsoft spokesperson to MacCentral.
“So virtualization will be supported in Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate and
Vista Business SKUs. Home users have rarely requested virtualization and so it
will not be supported in Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic and Home Premium
SKUs.”
Update 2/1/2007: Contrary
to what we heard from Microsoft spokespeople, apparently the interpretation of
the EULA posted above doesn’t present the whole picture of the license. As
detailed in the Windows
Server Division Weblog, the limitations to the Vista Home editions stems
from restrictions to multiple installations. The mere fact that the Business
and Ultimate Editions of Vista allow for greater freedom with the number of
installations is the reason behind the permission for use in virtualization
technologies. Microsoft has yet to offer official clarification on the
subject at this time, but that’s the deal with the EULA as we understand it.