osx - Can I run Mac OS X as a Hyper-V Virtual Machine?

22
2013-08
  • Russ

    I would like to know if it is possible, (not from a legality standpoint, but from a technical standpoint), to run Mac OS X on a Hyper-V VM. This would make testing so much easier as I would not have to go dig up and old Mac or find someone and borrow their laptop.

    • Answers
  • Diago

    No. Hyper-V is very specific about supported OS's and the generic drivers are very Microsoft specific.


    • Related Question

    Can I run more than 4 virtual machines using Hyper-V Windows Server 2008 R2 Enterprise Edition as the host?
  • James Holland

    I understand that a single Windows Server 2008 R2 Enterprise Edition license includes 4 free guest virtual machines using Hyper-V. Suppose I do that, and have 4 VMs running, but then want to expand.

    If I separately purchase additional Windows licenses, or I consolidate a machine with an existing license, can I spin up a 5th, 6th virtual machine (presuming there are enough CPU/RAM resources on the host)? Or does the host OS limit the number of virtual machines allowed?


    • Related Answers
  • William Hilsum

    There is no technical limitation on the number of Virtual Machines you can host.

    However, I believe that the licence permits 4 Virtual copies per physical copy installed not per licence.

    ...On top of this, surely, you would still be entitled to install as many copies as you like if you purchased a Windows Server licence for each extra instance. That being said, You may want to take a look at Datacenter edition - which entitles you to use as many instances of Windows as you want.

    I do not think Microsoft would punish or try to sue you if you tried and had paid for a copy, however, I think it is breaking the terms.

    IANAL