Windows 10: Clean install of Windows 10 Pro in VMware Workstation 16 to keep acti?

Hello, I installed W10 Pro in Workstation Pro 16 year ago, then upgraded guest machine to Win 10 Pro (client edition) 20H1 and later to 20H2. I want to install incomming 21H1 also but make a totally clean / fresh installation. Serial I used to install and activate my guest OS (Win 10 Pro) was from my work. It is possible somehow deactivate activated Win 10 Pro in guest virtual machine and use the this same serial in a new installation? Thanks. PS: My Windows 10 Pro version 20H2 19042.870.

:)

 

Clean install of Windows 10 Pro in VMware Workstation 16 to keep acti?

Hello,
I installed W10 Pro in Workstation Pro 16 year ago, then upgraded guest machine to Win 10 Pro (client edition) 20H1 and later to 20H2. I want to install incomming 21H1 also but make a totally clean / fresh installation.

Serial I used to install and activate my guest OS (Win 10 Pro) was from my work. It is possible somehow deactivate activated Win 10 Pro in guest virtual machine and use the this same serial in a new installation?

Thanks.

PS: My Windows 10 Pro version 20H2 19042.870.

 

Clean install of Windows 10 Pro in VMware Workstation 16 to keep acti?

Welcome to Ten Forums.

A VM is like any other machine, it's activation is by a digital licence stored on the Microsoft activation servers and linked to the unique hardware ID of the machine. Virtual or physical makes no difference - all machines have their own unique ID. The hard drive (virtual or physical) plays no part in this ID, so you are free to replace it with a new one.

Never, ever delete a VM that you have activated. That is like destroying a physical machine, you'll never be able to use its digital licence again.

If you do a clean install to the same VM and skip entering a key, then it will activate from the machine's existing digital licence. A VM has one distinct advantage over a physical machine, in that you can save it's ID and apply it to a new VM. See this post....

Question about licence/activation on a VM - post #14

 

KB4517211 causes VMware Workstation Pro 14.1.7 to fail

https://www.tenforums.com/virtualization/141820-vmware-workstation-pro-cant-run-windows-message.html

better solutions to fix rather than uninstalling the update....

Either reg fix or compatibility administrator tool

For compatibility administrator tool, only need to install 1st one on list and unselect the rest (only a 7.7Meg install)

https://www.tenforums.com/virtualiz...o-cant-run-windows-message-3.html#post1740491