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Windows 7 Retail/OEM Licensing: Sysprep without WDS?

Answered Windows 7 Retail/OEM Licensing: Sysprep without WDS?

  • Friday, May 11, 2012 8:38 PM
     
     
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    Hi there,

    I have read on various forums on the web that if you wish to save a sysprepped image and deploy it to multiple machines using WDS, then you must possess at least one Volume License of the OS you wish to install.

    Now, what if I did not plan on using WDS?  What if I wanted to create an image, sysprep it and make my own installation DVD from it?  Do I still need to obtain a volume license?

    If I DO need a volume license, how can a home user like myself obtain one?  Does anyone have the appropriate Microsoft part number for a Windows 7 Pro x64 Volume License?

    All help and input is appreciated.

    Thanks!

    Waqqas


    • Edited by waqqas31 Friday, May 11, 2012 8:39 PM
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  • Saturday, May 12, 2012 6:18 AM
     
     
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    I strongly recommend you appropriate forum on WDS here

    http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/itprovistadeployment/threads

    Thank you for understanding

    Regards

    Milos

     
  • Tuesday, May 15, 2012 7:02 AM
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    Do not need to input a key. You can input the key manually after the installation finishes.

    You can install WAIK and make the image with it.

    Walkthrough: Build a Simple Answer File
    http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc749317(v=ws.10).aspx

    ALso You can input your own key in the unattended.xml file. However I do not recommend that you put your key into the answer file because if the DVD is lost your key may be lost.

    Please remember to click “Mark as Answer” on the post that helps you, and to click “Unmark as Answer” if a marked post does not actually answer your question. This can be beneficial to other community members reading the thread. ”

     
  • Tuesday, May 15, 2012 9:17 PM
     
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    Thanks, Milos and Arthur, but I believe you misunderstood my question.

    As the thread title suggests, my question is about licensing and not technical how-to.

    I managed to reach a knowledgeable representative at Microsoft Volume Licensing and he explained the details I needed to know.

    So here it is:

    Is the Sysprep tool included with every instance of Windows 7 Professional, Ultimate and Enterprise?  Yes.

    Does that mean if I install any of those editions, I can use Sysprep as I wish?  No.

    For what purposes CAN any user use Sysprep?  For backup purposes only.

    Can I use Sysprep to create an image, such that I can create installation media from it?  No.

    Can I use Sysprep to create an image, such that I can upload it to WDS?  No.

    How then can I be allowed to create images of my Windows 7 Professional, Ultimate or Enterprise installation?  You need to possess a Volume License of the exact edition you wish to take an image of. (As far as I know, you can only purchase a MOLP [Microsoft Open License] of Windows 7 Professional.  You can get W7 Enterprise if you subscribe to Software Assurance.)

    How do I get a Volume License for Windows 7?  You need to go through a Microsoft Reseller or Partner.

    So I just purchase a Volume License for Windows 7 Professional and I'm good to go?  Not so fast.  To purchase Volume Licenses, you have to purchase at least 5 licenses.  They can be any 5 licenses, however, so you could even purchase 1 Windows 7 Professional upgrade volume license and 4 user CALs for Windows Server.  The only Windows 7 licenses available through Volume Licensing are "Upgrade" licenses, so your target computers need to have a qualifying pre-requisite OS.  Mind you, for VL, that includes XP Pro (not true for retail/OEM).  VL upgrade path for W7: http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/about-licensing/windows7.aspx#tab=4


    • Marked As Answer by waqqas31 Friday, June 08, 2012 2:45 AM
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