I still wonder if since the license is being used (on the running server) at the same time you are testing it's bootability, if that would be an issue.

Or am I again missing how server is being licensed?

@Dashrender said:

no, because MS allows you to move non OEM server licenses to the hosts every 90 days, be it physical or virtual.

So how does booting up the VM periodically (say every week) to test it fall under that?

@scottalanmiller said:

Yes because they are already virtualized.

Ah, I understand.

So that is why it is legal on the server side, because the odds are you are already using a virtual copy of the server.

What if for some terrible reason you weren't. If it was a physical server, would the same roadblocks happen?

@scottalanmiller said:

@BRRABill said:

b -- actually using the machine, but while the other is dead, and only in a temporary capacity

This is the part that does not sound in any way reasonable to me. "Temporary" is a very vague term here. You say "temporary capacity", but I hear "optional VDI." This is a full on VDI situation and you can get the functionality better in other ways, so there is no need for MS to provide this from a functionality standpoint and reasons to avoid it from a licensing nightmare standpoint, IMHO.

Again, this is just for desktops, right?

You'd see the functionality of it at a server level.

@Dashrender said:

Yes I know you are joking.

Of course. Bordering on being passive-aggressive.

LOL..

@Dashrender said:

Why?
To test A you, guess what, do a BMR. Period. Doing that will test your backups. Frankly compared to the cost of VDI, you can buy a second HD, put that in the desktop, do a BMR and BAM, if it boots, youre golden.

As for B, That's already been covered. That would be a DR case, and you always have to pay for DR cases. It's never been free with MS.

All good points.

I'm working on my own OS. I have 3 lines of code done. Who wants to help?

@scottalanmiller said:

I haven't seen anything slightly different. What about their scenario do you feel is not exactly as he described? It's a very core VDI scenario, as "generic VDI" as I can reasonably imagine.

I guess the only think I can think of (and not saying this is correct) is that it's not like you are using the machine. It's either

a -- just booting the image to see if it boots so you know your backups are legit. (Aka, how else could you test to be sure you can actually do a BMR if needed?)

b -- actually using the machine, but while the other is dead, and only in a temporary capacity

But I know from MS licensing of other things, such as Hyper-V Replica, that if you want that ability, you pay for it.

Again, it's their product and they can license it as they please, but it would seem these two scenarios should be allowed. Especially A.

Phew ... I thought I was going (more) crazy.

This only happens on my laptop screen, though. On my 23" at work is fine. (Same computer ... docking station.)

I play mostly World of Tanks, but on the XBOX 360.

@Jason said:

@BRRABill said:

Regardless of whether it is a good idea or not, I'd just like to know the answer.

He's already went over this. This would be considered a VDI deployment.

I wanted to give him an opportunity to more specifically answer to the exact scenario I am talking about.

I get the feeling if I copy and paste his original response, they'll come back with a "we're not doing that".

@Jason said:

Works isn't the issue. The issue is licensing.

Exactly. I am a "i" dotter and "t" crosser.

@dafyre said:

Best way to get an answer: Try it and see if it works.

It definitely works.

Regardless of whether it is a good idea or not, I'd just like to know the answer.

@Jason said:

The issue whether the technology allows you to or not. The issue is the EULA does not allow you to do that. Say for Example if you ran Server 2012 R2 you could do this. Those software products are made for server not desktop OSes.

But I am hearing back from them you can 100% do this with Microsoft desktops. I mean, they are selling a product designed to do this, for Windows.

@Chris

I am going back to my (US-based) backup vendors on this one.

Can you explain to me specifically why you cannot
a -- make a full backup of my Windows 7/8/10 system
and
b -- spin that backup image up temporarily in a virtual environment (virtualbox, etc.)

I am still hearing from them that you can (and that they work directly with Microsoft), so I'd like to present them with your direct words on the issue, and get a response from them.

Thanks!

I was seriously interested in what he is doing at home.

@Jason said:

But, no one is doing that for desktops.

Ouch, baby, ouch. LOL.

@scottalanmiller said:

I have backup servers at home.

And what would YOU do if your main server died at home?

@scottalanmiller said:

I have backup servers at home.

OK, that a little ridiculous.