Is Vmware getting generous now !!!! Windows serial works for Linux

jimbo45 said:

Hi there

I have a license for vmware workstation rel 14 I got from the company where I'm doing some contract work as a consultant -- it's a volume license with no expiration and I've been using it on Windows 10 with no problems.

Anyway guess my surprise when I downloaded a Linux Trial version of vmware workstation rel 14 (I've been using rel 12 on my Linux Host server for a while now and wanted to upgrade it) and just thought I'd enter the Windows serial number --- it changed from Trial to permanent !!!!

Could be because the enterprise license covers all versions but those who have vmware workstations for windows could try and see if using say a trial version of the Linux version on a HOST Linux OS switches from trial to licensed.

Nothing in this post is illegal -- if vmware make an error in their licensing procedures that's THEIR problem, and my good fortune !!!!

Cheers
jimbo

The point of volume licences is they can be used multiple times but companies often have a limited number of licence installs, and they need to manage them.

I cannot say if this applies to vmware workstation licences, but there is a fair chance. I have used licensed software, and company could tell how many times it had been activate and by whom.

So you may have (unintentionally) taken one of the company's quota without asking.

If it was me, I would delete the linux vmware workstation.

I am sure you do not want to be seen to doing something wrong by a valuable client?
I could be totally wrong, but are you willing to take the risk?