It has been reported by anyone that read the EULA for Vista that Microsoft doesn’t want you using it in a virtual environment. They will allow virtualization of the ultimate and enterprise edition, or if your version is licensed through MSDN or similar program. For any mac owner out there who might think they can go into the store, slap down some money on Parallels, another couple hundred for Vista home and be all set, sorry to say, but nope. By installing Vista Home you have violated the EULA and in Microsoft’s eyes they would have preferred not to have your money.. wait that makes no sense? Why would a person with a computer who is willing to go out and buy a second operating system for it be evil in Microsoft’s eyes? Well according to the most recent news:

The less expensive versions of Vista actually would work in virtualization programs. But Microsoft wants to restrict it because of new security holes spawned by the technology, according to Scott Woodgate, a director in Microsoft’s Vista team.

Lately Intel and rival chip maker Advanced Micro Devices Inc. have built virtualization-friendly hooks directly into microprocessors. The goal was to make virtualization work better, but Woodgate argues that the move created a security flaw — essentially that malicious programs can run undetected alongside an operating system.

Microsoft had considered banning virtualization on Vista all together, but decided it was “safe” for corporate or power users to virtualize the operating system.

Microsoft, you released Virtual PC for Free, allowed people to build, distribute and use their own virtual machines. But now you are getting greedy. Virtualization is the future, and you are afraid of it because it allows choices.

Sources:
Seattle PI