Virtual PC

Virtual PC is a program that simulates a PC computer.

There are several interesting reasons to simulate a computer in software.

A virtual PC allows you to run a different operating system in parallel with the operating system running on your computer.

For example, if you are running Windows XP Professional, you can run a virtual PC with the Windows 7 operating system running in it.

This is a great way to test another operating system, without the considerable effort of partitioning your hard drive and installing a dual-boot operating system.

More often, a virtual PC is used to run legacy software.  If you need to run old programs that only run in Windows 98 for example, you can install a virtual PC under your current operating system, and install Windows 98 in the virtual PC, where you can now run software that requires Windows 98.

The other big advantage of a virtual PC is that it forms a secure environment to run risky software.  A virtual PC uses a virtual hard drive (in the form of a file on your real hard drive).  In this way the virtual machine is completely independent of the host operating system, making the host immune from viruses, spyware etc.

A virtual PC allows you to quickly set up a simulated operating environment, make tests, make changes, make big mistakes … without affecting your host operating system in the slightest.

Virtual PC Disadvantages

There are some disadvantages to using a virtual PC.

The biggest disadvantage is that it is much slower than running the same operating system that boots directly from the hard drive.  This is because of the overhead required to simulate the PC and access the virtual hard drive.  The virtual PC is also competing for CPU resources with the host operating system.

Less memory is available to the virtual PC than a native operating system installation.  The host operating system requires a minimum amount of memory to run,  the virtual PC requires still more.  This erodes the memory available to the virtual PC.

A virtual PC is a great tool for testing software, and for occasional access to legacy software, but it is generally not practical for production use.

Virtual PC Download

A free version of Virtual PC is available from Microsoft:

Windows Virtual PC Download

It does not run on all operating systems.  If your computer is running one of the following operating systems, then you are in luck, you can use the virtual PC software:

• Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition (32-bit x86)
• Windows Server 2003, Standard x64 Edition
• Windows Vista Business
• Windows Vista Business 64-bit edition
• Windows Vista Enterprise
• Windows Vista Enterprise 64-bit edition
• Windows Vista Ultimate
• Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit edition
• Windows XP Professional Edition
• Windows XP Professional x64 Edition
• Windows XP Tablet PC Edition

Although unsupported, Virtual PC may work with the following host operating systems:

• Windows Server 2008
• Windows Vista Home Premium (32-bit)
• Windows XP Media Center Edition 2004
• Windows XP Home Edition

Note that there is a separate Virtual PC download for Windows 7.  This is not meant for the above listed operating systems.