Windows 8 deactivated Windows 7

I'm running Windows 7 Pro 64-bit Home Premium as a Virtual Machine in Fusion 4 (latest). Recently I also installed Windows 8 Developer Preview as another Virtual Machine on the same Mac under OS X Lion 10.7.2. The Windows 7 has been installed 9 months ago but today I was told that I needed to re-activate the Windows 7. The number of activation of that Windows 7 license has reached maximum and thus very annoying to get the license reactivated.

I called Microsoft Activation Center and they didn't log the issue but just passed my phone call to IVRS machine to give me the new product code. After activation (successfully and luckily this time, a window popped up and said the computer might be a victim, blah blah blah.

Instead, will it be the Windows 8 Developer Preview's problem that changed my computer (Mac) too much?

 

Since both are installed in their own VM, its not possible for one to change any hardware settings in another. WPA looks at hardware changes only.

Are you sure you didn't change anything yourself in Win 7 VM or Fusion ?

 

Yes, I am sure i didn't change anything.

But Microsoft Activation Center told me that when the Windows detects substantial change it might request a re-activation. The Genuine Windows detection process may mistaken hardware changes (controlled by VMware Tools). On Windows 7, I allowed 2 CPUs to run the VM, while new Windows 7 Developer Preview, I only allowed 1 CPU for the VM and by default OS X Lion uses 4 CPUs. Not sure if it triggers as a smell of changes to the Genuine Windows process. Just guess.

In fact, a few days ago, the Microsoft Office 2007 in the Windows 7 VM prompted me for re-activation. But this time it passed smoothly in seconds. Other things running smooth and I love running Windows 7 on a VM. Now I can work on Windows 7, Windows 8 Developer Preview and OS X on the same machine at the same time.