In the past Microsoft has been torn on which editions of Windows Vista could be virtualized. This was not received very well by their customers because it made it look like Microsoft wanted to force their customers to buy the more expensive editions of Windows Vista to be able to (legally) virtualize this. This, from a Microsoft perspective, is understandable since they in 2007 stated that they were surprised by the attention for VDI and did not see this market explicitly taking off. The last half year or so has changed this dramatically.

To say that Microsoft has today shown that it has changed it's mind would be an understatement. Certainly the change in Vista licensing is a good move to make VDI more attractive for Microsoft customers. Before one was only allowed to use the "Business" and "Ultimate" editions in virtual environments but today Microsoft added the "Home Basic" and "Home Premium" to that list as well. 

I think this is a great move by Microsoft because if opens up VDI to smaller shops that might not need Windows Vista Ultimate but still want to try or go for VDI with Windows Home Basic for example. Vista Home Basic is half the price Vista Ultimate is.

Read the updated Vista license(s).

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