Create new W7 Virtualbox without activation.

Re: Which changes trigger reactivation in a Windows guest?

by JEGERT » 7. Dec 2009, 19:10

I was working on activation for Win7 this past weekend and found some helpful notes for anyone new to VBox
First off, if you change even one character in the machine UUID, reactivation occurs but the hard disk UUID did not matter (thanks Sasquatch and mpack)

If you want to save off a Win 7 activated environment, follow these steps (do not use the Export Appliances)
1) Backup the VDI file by just copying it or use CloneVDI and make sure to use “Keep old UUID” (you’re the best mpack! This tool works great)
2) copy the machine’s XML file and keep it with the VDI/VHD (C:\Users\Administrator\.VirtualBox\Machines\Win7\Win7.xml where Administrator is the user you are logged in with and Win7 is the VBox name)
You should have the VDI/VHD file and XML now (2 files)

Now to restore a Win 7 environment, here goes:
1) Create a new VBox machine entry from scratch including the HardDisk (does not matter what the settings are here since the XML file will overlay it anyway)
2) Copy the backed up XML file to the new VBox machine’s directory (i.e. C:\Users\Administrator\.VirtualBox\Machines\NewWin7\NewWin7.xml) and overwrite the one already there (NOTE: You need to close VirtualBox as it will probably have this file opened)
3) Copy the VDI/VHD file and overlay the one you created in step 1. The reason I do this is because if you import the VDI, it WILL change the UUID on the hard disk
4) Edit the VBox XML file and change the Machine UUID and hard disk UUID to match the file in step 2 above (i.e. C:\Users\Administrator\.VirtualBox\VirtualBox.XML). Make sure there are no duplicates or VBox will crash on COM registration!

Now run the VBox machine and you should not be asked to reactivate the OS

Thanks everyone!