How do I create a virtual machine on Windows 7?

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I'd like to create a virtual machine running on Windows 7. On Windows XP / Vista I have been using either Microsoft Virtual PC or VMware Workstation. I believe I heard somewhere that virtualization is part of Windows 7.

How can I create a virtual machine?

Vadim

Posted 2009-09-12T15:41:46.987

Reputation: 759

Answers

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What you heard of is known as XP Mode for Windows 7, which is basically a Microsoft VirtualPC image (free for licensees of Windows 7 Professional and Ultimate) to run Windows XP applications within Windows 7.

Other than that, you can still use your virtualizer of choice (e.g. VirtualBox, Microsoft VPC or VMware) and create your own virtual machine.

Molly7244

Posted 2009-09-12T15:41:46.987

Reputation:

Thank you fro pointing me to the right direction. One small correction: "Windows XP Mode Release Candidate (RC) and Windows Virtual PC RC, available on Windows 7 Professional and Windows 7 Ultimate". I just found this info here http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/default.aspx . +1 for pointing me to the right direction.

– Vadim – 2009-09-12T16:01:46.900

duly noted and corrected :) – None – 2009-09-12T16:09:35.650

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I've installed VirtualBox on Windows 7 for this purpose and it works great.

You can still install the latest version of Microsoft Virtual PC on other versions of Windows 7 but unless you have Ultimate or Enterprise you'll need to have a valid license for installing the guest OS as these versions include a specially licensed copy of Windows XP. If you're not interested in Windows XP then it doesn't really matter.

Tom Robinson

Posted 2009-09-12T15:41:46.987

Reputation: 2 350