Creating a Windows XP Professional Virtual Machine
Using Microsoft Virtual PC 2007
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What is a Virtual Machine?
A virtual machine is a means to run one operating system from within another. To do this, you need a virtual machine program, like Microsoft Virtual PC. The program creates a virtual computer with hardware less powerful than the host computer (the one running Virtual PC). That virtual computer is then able to run an operating system. Because the operating system is running in the application, it is running within another operating system.Why Use a Virtual Machine?
By creating a virtual machine, you can perform a number of experiments involving the installation of another operating system without changing the partitions of the host computer, and potentionally corrupting data. Some common tasks are:- Practice the installation of an operating system.
- Test the features of another operating system.
- Practice configuring a multi-boot system.
What is this Guide?
This document is a step by step instruction guide to creating an installation of Windows XP Professional as a virtual machine using Microsoft Virtual PC 2007. While this instruction guide uses Windows 7 as the host operating system, you may use any version of Windows capable of running Virtual PC 2007.Before We Begin
In order to install Windows XP Professional inside Microsoft Virtual PC 2007 you need a Windows XP installation disc or ISO image, and you need to have Virtual PC 2007 installed on your machine. This instruction guide does not cover the process of installing Virtual PC 2007, however it is a pretty straightforward process.Important Note:
In order to type or control the mouse in the virtual operating system, you must click in the window. To release control to the host operating system (the one running Virtual PC 2007), press the left ALT button. -
1. Launch Microsoft Virtual PC 2007
Click Start > All Programs > Microsoft Virtual PC -
New Virtual Machine Wizard2. Begin the New Virtual Machine Wizard
When you open Microsoft Virtual PC for the first time, the "New Virtual Machine Wizard" automatically starts up. To begin creating a new virtual machine, click Next. -
3. Name the Virtual Machine
Type a name for the virtual machine. "Windows XP Professional" is a good descriptive name, but you can call it whatever you would like. This is the name Virtual PC will use when referring to this virtual machine. Click Next. -
Select Windows XP from the list4. Select the Operating System
Since you are installing Windows XP, select Windows XP from the dropdown list. For me, it was automatically selected. Click Next. -
5. Decide How Much RAM to Use
You need to decide how much RAM to allocate for the virtual machine. It is strongly recommended that you don't allocate more than 50% of the physical RAM in your computer to the virtual machine. Virtual PC recommends a value based on your computer and the operating system you said you were installing. In my case, it recommended 128 MB. You can either use the default value or set your own. Follow the instructions for whichever option you choose below.1. Using the recommended RAM
If you wish to use the default RAM value, make sure "Using the recommended RAM" is selected and click Next.2. Adjusting the RAM
If you wish to change the RAM value, select "Adjusting the RAM" and click Next. Move the value slider to the desired value, or type the value into the text box, and click Next. -
6. Create a Virtual Hard Disk
Select "A new virtual hard disk" and click Next. If you want, you can change location or size of the virtual hard disk file. The size you choose is the size Windows XP will see your hard drive. To accept the default values, click Next. -
7. Finish the Wizard
You are now finished the "New Virtual Machine" wizard. Click Finish. You have now essentially created a virtual computer with a blank hard drive. You are now ready to install Windows XP Professional on that virtual computer. -
8. Start Installing Windows XP
It's now time to start the virtual machine. There are 2 ways you can install Windows XP.1. Using the Installation Disc
Insert the installation disc into the computer's CD-ROM drive. In the list of virtual machines on your computer, select the Windows XP Professional one you just created and click Start.2. Using an ISO image
If you have an ISO image of the installation disc, you don't need to burn it to a CD. In the list of virtual machines on your computer, select the Windows XP Professional one you just created and click Start. In the new window, on the menu bar click CD > Capture ISO Image and browse your computer for the ISO image. -
9. Windows XP Setup
You are now in the Windows XP setup. When you get to the "Welcome to Setup" prompt, press Enter. Read through the EULA if you haven't before, then press F8. -
Select the top option (quick).10. Select Windows Partition
Press Enter to install Windows in the unpartitioned space. On the next screen, select the top option, "Format the partition using the NTFS file system (quick)" and press Enter. -
11. Make Yourself a Snack
Windows now begins copying files. After the text portion of the setup finishes, the virtual machine will automatically restart and continue into the Windows portion of the setup. The next prompt will be the "Regional and Language Options." If you wish you can customize the settings. If not, you can just accept the defaults and click Next. -
You must enter your product key in order to continue.12. Name and Organization
At the next prompt, type your name and organization into the text boxes and click Next. Enter your product key and click Next. Enter a computer name and, if you wish, an administrator password. Click Next. -
13. Time and Date Settings
Check that the time and date settings are correct and click Next. -
14. Networking Settings
Select "Typical settings" and click Next. In the next prompt, type a name for the workgroup or accept the default, and click Next. -
15. Finish the Setup
The setup finishes copying files and finalizing settings, then restarts. Once it restarts, run through the wizard and answer the questions. It is very straightforward, so I won't cover it in extensive detail like I have the rest of the Setup process. -
16. Eject the Installation CD
If you used a physical Installation CD, eject it from the computer's CD-ROM drive. If you used an ISO image, on the menu bar click CD > Release "ISO_image_name.iso" (the name of the actual ISO image you used will be in quotes). -
17. Launching the Virtual Machine
The next time you want to launch your Windows XP virtual machine, you will start Virtual PC 2007 and a list of virtual machines will show up in a small window. Click on the name of the Windows XP virtual machine, and click start. You may now use Windows XP as if you had installed it directly onto a new computer. -
18. Pat Yourself on the Back
Congratulations, you have installed Windows XP Professional as a virtual machine inside Microsoft Virtual PC 2007!