@phillmv on AWS i can spawn Windows Server, and connect with it by remote desktop. i do that occasionally. but the tax software demands Windows 10 or Windows 11. (i could try the latest Windows Server and see if it works anyway, but grrr.) 1/

@phillmv Azure support (i’ve talked a bunch to MS customer service people, who strike me as simultaneously nice and helpless) says I should choose a server image without BWOL terms. For the desktop Windows editions, no images include information about licensing terms at all, and all that I’ve tried demand clicking a box that would create legal jeopardy for me (admittedly because I’d be fibbing), and I don’t trust Microsoft not to make me miserable. 2/

@phillmv I’ve not been able to find any Windows desktop OS AMIs on AWS, or my usual (usually linux) virtual cloud server providers. (I haven’t tried GCS, but it seems unlikely and annoying to get into.) I’m pretty sure MS is intentionally trying to force people like me to their expensive Windows365 subscription product.

I won’t feel bad about just taking the free trial under these circumstances. If it works for me! MS is so flaky. But I’ve no plan for next year. /fin