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Using Vista BitLocker under Virtual PC / Virtual Server

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UPDATE: This article used to explain how to configure BitLocker inside of a virtual machine. However - as I have been informed that this configuration is in violation of the Windows Vista EULA - I have removed this information. Sorry for the inconvenience all.  

Cheers,
Ben

Comments

  • Anonymous
    April 30, 2007
    Can I use these steps to install BitLocker VPCs running Longhorn Server Core?

  • Anonymous
    May 02, 2007
    Just curious how you handle this restriction in the Vista Ultimate EULA: "6. USE WITH VIRTUALIZATION TECHNOLOGIES. You may use the software installed on the licensed device within a virtual (or otherwise emulated) hardware system on the licensed device.If you do so, you may not play or access content or use applications protected by any Microsoft digital, information or enterprise rights management technology or other Microsoft rights management services or use BitLocker...."

  • Anonymous
    May 02, 2007
    Great information. Now I can work with those machines that I want to setup as Virtual PC as a DR stratergy. thanks :)

  • Anonymous
    May 03, 2007
    Ben> This is interesting from a technical perspective and helpful for those wanting to play in the safety of a VM. It's not mitigating any realistic threat though.

  • Anonymous
    May 06, 2007
    S.Y. Paul Lai - I do not know. Paul DeGroot - Good point, I will look into that. Cheers, Ben

  • Anonymous
    May 06, 2007
    Thanks Ben!  This worked perfectly, and in response to a challenge that it couldn't be done to an existing Vista Enterprise VPC.  Great demo and proof of concept! Regards, Mark

  • Anonymous
    May 09, 2007
    Why in the world would you not be allowed to use BitLocker in a virtual machine?  What loss would there be to Microsoft? I can assure you that I will never use BitLocker in a real PC until I have experimented heavily in a virtual PC.  It is much too dangerous to put into production without extensive testing, training, and practice. So, no BitLocker in a VPC means no BitLocker at all, as far as I am concerned.

  • Anonymous
    May 09, 2007
    The asserted EULA for the host OS asserts that it gives you permission to run an extra copy of the same OS in a guest machine under certain restricted conditions.  It doesn't assert that it gives you permission to eat lunch; you have to get other permissions from other sources.  Let's investigate one. If you buy another copy of an OS (same or different) then the other copy's asserted EULA will assert that it gives you permission to run that copy under its own conditions.  If you want to pretend that virtual hardware is real hardware then you pay real money, buy that real licence, and use that copy in what you pretend is real hardware.  You can use BitLocker with that copy.  The host is irrelevant in that context.