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I want to run a Windows XP virtual machine, and not pay for any licenses (I already have a valid XP license for installing on the VM). What software would you recommend? Tips on performance and installing are also welcome.
Ola Eldøy
Posted 2009-07-17T09:01:13.800
Reputation: 1 227
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VirtualBox is just fine, and free.
The latest release offers:
You can find installations instructions in the user manual.
Robert Munteanu
Posted 2009-07-17T09:01:13.800
Reputation: 4 240
1I can highly recommend VirtualBox. – JesperE – 2009-07-17T09:14:33.223
I've run XP in virtual box on linux for years. Virtaulbox is, by far, the best desktop virtualisation app for performance, stability and features. – Geoff – 2009-07-17T09:28:50.473
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For the best performance I would recommend keeping the VM on a separate hard disk or at least a another partition. Also when creating the VM select the option to use fixed-size storage as using dynamically expanding storage can cause slow down as the VM file can fragment.
If possible use a computer with the Intel or AMD hardware virtualization extensions. SecurAble from http://www.grc.com/ (Windows only) can tell you if your computer has the virtualization extensions.
AS for memory XP works well with 256mb of memory but I would recommend using 512mb or more.
TheMoo
Posted 2009-07-17T09:01:13.800
Reputation: 53
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VMWare Player is a good choice; free, but good features. You can create new (empty) machines at EasyVMX!.
In particular, I like the ability to run in "Unity" mode, even on the free player, allowing you to pull the guest windows into the host desktop:
(note that you need the VMWare Tools for Unity, though)
Marc Gravell
Posted 2009-07-17T09:01:13.800
Reputation: 1 419
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Windows 7 has Microsoft Virtual PC.
Windows Virtual PC requires a CPU with the Intel™ Virtualization Technology or AMD-V® feature turned on. This feature must be enabled in the system BIOS. For details on how to enable, visit the Configure BIOS page or check with your computer manufacturer.
The great thing is that if you download the Windows XP Mode you only have to fill in a password and the system is good to go (fully licensed as well, though you need a valid Windows 7 or RC installation). I'm not really into VMs, but I know this one has USB support out of the box.
Plus:
Worked very well for me!
Ivo Flipse
Posted 2009-07-17T09:01:13.800
Reputation: 24 054
Dude, your answer is for for another question. ;-) – GeneQ – 2009-07-17T09:07:37.217
looking for this? http://superuser.com/questions/6863/what-damage-will-powering-down-instead-of-shutting-down-do
– John T – 2009-07-17T09:07:51.400I think this is the wrong answer to the wrong question? – BinaryMisfit – 2009-07-17T09:09:10.927
Haha, so I noticed, but I had an answer for this too :P – Ivo Flipse – 2009-07-17T09:17:13.170
It's worth mentioning that only the Windows 7 version of Virtual PC requires a CPU with the Intel™ Virtualization Technology or AMD-V® feature turned on. Virtual PC 2007 will work on any CPU. – Tom Robinson – 2009-07-17T10:30:12.807
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I would suggest Virtual PC (for pre-Windows 7) or Windows Virtual PC (for Windows 7).
The biggest advantage is the VMAdditions, which make the experience quite seamless. What ticks me off the most about running a virtualized copy of an OS is the fact that one has to constantly capture and release the mouse-pointer. With VMAdditions on Virtual PC, one doesn't have to do that, which is really, really nice. I cannot stress that enough.
Umar Farooq Khawaja
Posted 2009-07-17T09:01:13.800
Reputation: 352
MS VPC has already been suggested and seamless mode or "free" mouse are nothing unique to VPC, these were introduced in VBox ages ago. – None – 2009-10-10T15:17:04.043
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Windows 7 Professional users can download Virtual PC and Virtual Windows XP for no extra cost.
MS Virtual PC is free, not sure about any of the others.
GaryJL
Posted 2009-07-17T09:01:13.800
Reputation: 884
There are a lot of requirements here, though: Windows 7 Professional, for starters... but the Intel-VT/AMD-V requirement means that this won't work on quite a large number of machines, especially laptops. – Marc Gravell – 2009-07-17T09:54:37.917
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Microsoft Virtual Server and VMware server are also free options nowadays.
Even the esx version of VMware (which runs on the bare metal) is free.
fretje
Posted 2009-07-17T09:01:13.800
Reputation: 10 524
0
Tips on performance and installing are also welcome.
Keep your virtual machines on separate drives from the Host OS and the VM host software you choose. External HDs are great for this purpose. Additional spindles make all the difference in the world for VM performance.
JP Alioto
Posted 2009-07-17T09:01:13.800
Reputation: 6 278
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For info, a pretty good comparison between VirtualBox and VMWare is http://marsbox.com/blog/reviews/vmware-vs-virtualbox/ and http://marsbox.com/blog/reviews/vmware-vs-virtualbox-part-2/ - there are advantages and disadvantages of both.
– Marc Gravell – 2009-07-17T10:01:49.570