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Microsoft has long provided free Windows virtual machines (VMs) for developers to test applications. These VMs, available for platforms like Hyper-V, VMware, VirtualBox, and Parallels, included evaluation versions of Windows that expired after 90 days. However, as of October 23, 2024, downloads for these VMs have been temporarily suspended due to technical issues.
What Happened?
- Unavailable Downloads: Microsoft announced that all Windows 11 Development Environment VMs were taken offline on October 23, 2024. This includes all variants such as Hyper-V, VirtualBox, VMware, and Parallels3911.
- Expired Licenses: Previously downloaded VMs also expired on the same date, causing activation issues like black desktop backgrounds and hourly shutdowns.
- No Timeline for Resolution: Microsoft has not clarified when the downloads will resume.
Current Alternatives
If you need a Windows VM for testing, consider these options:
- Microsoft Evaluation Center: You can still download ISO images for Windows 10 and Windows 11 Enterprise (evaluation versions). These require manual setup in your virtualization software.
- Third-Party Tools: Use tools like the Universal Media Creation Tool to download specific Windows builds, bypassing some restrictions.
- Archived Links: Some users have shared direct links to older VM files on forums like Reddit. However, these may not be reliable or up-to-date.
Challenges
- The current process to obtain evaluation ISOs from Microsoft often requires additional steps, such as using a non-Windows device or spoofing your browser’s user agent to access direct download links.
- Developers relying on pre-configured environments with tools like Visual Studio or WSL2 (available in the now-unavailable VMs) will need to set these up manually.
These changes highlight the importance of planning ahead for development needs and exploring backup solutions when official resources become inaccessible.