Run multiple operating systems inside Windows

Network Administration - Have you ever been in the case of installing a certain version of Windows but need to use a different version, or want to try another operating system, such as Ubuntu or some Linux distribution? This article will show you how to run another operating system inside Windows 7 using virtualization technology instead of using a completely new computer.

If you need to temporarily or periodically access an operating system or another Windows version, you can reinstall or replace Windows or reconfigure the computer to use dual-boot.
Although there are many permanent solutions that can do this job, to do it you have to spend a lot of time. In this article we will introduce another method is to use virtualization technology.

Basic about virtual computers

If you only need temporary or periodic access and another operating system, use virtualization applications like Microsoft's Virtual PC or Sun's VirtualBox.

These applications provide a virtualized interface within Windows (or other operating systems), in which you can set up and access virtual drives.

When creating a computer with a virtual drive in these applications, you can use the host computer's CD or DVD drive or image file to run Windows or another operating system installation, or run the boot application.

The installation screens and the operating system will appear inside a window on the server, so you can maximize or minimize this window as you would any other application running on the host computer. . The virtual machine and its operating system will work quite like a real computer.

Virtual machines require and use memory (RAM) just like real machines. For example, if you have 1GB of RAM on your real computer and you need to assign half of that RAM to the virtual machine, then your real computer will be limited to the remaining amount.

If the virtual machine requires an entire amount of RAM then you cannot use this virtualization technology but need to install the operating system directly into the real computer.

Virtual machines can also use most server hardware. Devices that plug into COM ports and the real computer printer ports are available with virtual machines. Network adapters are also shared.

Use Microsoft Virtual PC 2007 in XP or Vista

If you use Windows XP or Vista, you can use the free Microsoft Virtual PC 2007 program. If you are currently using Windows 7, then you can use the new version called Windows Virtual PC.

To download the 2007 version, go to the download page and select the correct version.
Once you've finished downloading, run the installation file and install it.

You can then use the New Virtual Machine Wizard to set up your virtual machines. Name the device, select the operating system that you will install, adjust the amount of memory or RAM for it. Plus you can create virtual drives with your desired size.

After creating the virtual machine, you can select it from the list and click Start. The default BIOS will load and search for some boot media types. You can use the toolbar menu to use CD / DVD drive or load image file.

When you're done using the virtual machine, you can turn it off using the operating system or close the Virtual PC window.

When you close the window, you can choose to turn off or save the current state so you can restore the session later.

Use Windows Virtual PC or XP Mode in Windows 7

If your computer has loaded Windows 7, you can use Microsoft's new virtual application version called Windows Virtual PC.

However, this application requires a CPU that supports hardware virtualization and it must be enabled in the system BIOS settings. You can check your computer to see if it meets this requirement by visiting the Microsoft website here.

Windows Virtual PC has updates to support the new Windows XP Mode feature of Windows 7. In addition, it allows you to use USB devices in a virtual machine, including features for sharing folders between systems. operating the host and guest operating system, providing printer forwarding.

If your computer supports virtualization technology, Windows Virtual PC and Windows XP Mode will probably be installed automatically with Windows 7. However, if you can't find these utilities in the Start menu then you You can download them from the Microsoft website here.

If you want to use Windows XP on a Windows 7 computer, then you don't have to create a virtual machine from the 'crash pile' and install XP manually. Windows XP Mode is basically a pre-configured virtual machine in Windows 7. In addition, the applications you install in Windows XP Mode will create shortcuts on the Start menu of the Windows 7 host operating system. (and you can certainly open it directly from the host operating system).

If you want to install another XP version, another Windows version or another operating system, you can create a new virtual machine and install the operating system.

Not required to use Microsoft solutions

If you don't like Microsoft solutions, you can use the free and open source VirtualBox, which is sponsored by Sun Microsystems. It provides support for USB and folder sharing, such as Windows Virtual PC, but does not require Windows 7.

VirtualBox is a multi-platform component; You can run it on Windows, Mac OS X, Linux and Solaris / OpenSolaris. It allows you to create computers and drives with the same wizard as Microsoft Virtual PC applications.