ericandrewlewis wrote:
I was able to run a Windows evaluation version VM in VirtualBox which starts up immediately. The download website does it expires. I guess I'll see what happens when that comes. Hopefully just more activation nags..
The
Microsoft Software License Terms covers your concerns, which also means you didn't read or even skim it. The link was on the same page. :-) The first two pages read easily and are not long. Bits I see that are quite relevant:
Code:
1. INSTALLATION AND USE RIGHTS.
a. The terms of this license supersede the terms of any Microsoft software license terms agreement
that you may encounter in this software, even if installation of the software requires
"acceptance" of a separate license term agreement.
...
c. You may use the software in the virtual hard disk image only to demonstrate and internally
evaluate it. You may not use the software for commercial purposes. You may not use the
software in a live operating environment.
d. The Microsoft software in the virtual hard disk image is licensed as a single piece of software.
You may not separate its component parts. You may only use the software on one licensed
computer and one operating system environment. If the media on which you received the
virtual hard disk image contains more than one image, you may run each virtual hard disk image
independently or simultaneously, as long as it is on the same computer and operating system
environment.
e. The Exceptions and Additional Terms for particular products included in the virtual hard disk
image are set forth in Exhibit A.
...
3. TIME-SENSITIVE SOFTWARE. The software is licensed to you for sixty (60) days from the date of
installation unless otherwise indicated in Exhibit A. You will not receive any other notice. You may not
be able to access data used with the software when it stops running.
4. NO ACTIVATION. To prevent its unlicensed use, the software contains activation enforcement
technology. Because this is an evaluation-only license, you are not licensed to activate the software for
any purpose even if it prompts you to do so.
5. BACKUP COPY. You may make one backup copy of the software. You may use it only to reinstall
the software
...
Exhibit A goes over both additional aspects (or clarifies earlier ones) for Windows 10, as well as for other software, including Microsoft Visual Studio Community 2015.
In short: I suggest you read it.