Separate Virtual XP Mode Anti Virus with Bit Defender on from W7

Trapper · 18 Jul 2015

Just installed Virtual Windows XP mode drive using the superb tutorials. I have only done this to run one program 'Labels Unlimited' but also activated internet access to use my WI-fi printer and any updates.

I was wondering if I need to install an AV program on this virtual drive or if the Bit Defender TS 2015 installed on my Windows 7 would cover the virtual drive as well.

BDTS 2015 seems a bit OTT and when I tried an install to see if it accepted it I received a message about available space on the virtual drive so did not install it.

If I do need a separate AV (Which I assume I do) would a free AV like AVG be okay or would this cause problems with BDTS 2015? Not quite sure what to do, so of course posted here!

Okay, I found a few threads on this subject after posting so would think I will find my answer in one of them.

Trapper · 19 Jul 2015

Didn't go to well.

Tried to install MSE and got the attached message.

Tried another version (Not sure which one needed) and that did not install either.

So, installed BDTS 2015, big mistake, the VM ground to a virtual halt, froze, and then would not boot. Re-booted the whole PC and very slowly got VM to boot then uninstalled BDTS which then installed a 60 second AV without apparently asking together with a new pop-up about a 'new LAC connection'.

I am using Windows 7 Pro 64bit and have Windows XP Pre VM installed on my W7. I have upgraded IE on the VM from V6 to V8. and its working fine.

Any idea why MSE will not install and if it cannot install what light weight but competent AV would you suggest? MSE is supposed to work on XP and W7 as far as I can see!

LMiller7 · 19 Jul 2015

MSE will run on XP (not sure if updates work) if it was previously installed but new installations are not supported. I believe the link in the dialog shown explains this.
Microsoft Security Essentials: No new installations after April | ZDNet

There are a number of third party AV products that support XP. Be sure that whichever you choose specifically advertises support for XP. Do not assume this.

Edit: An AV product running on the host will provide only limited protection for a client OS. Malware has become very sophisticate in recent years and many viruses can only be detected on a running system. File scans alone are not good enough.

Trapper · 20 Jul 2015

Thanks for the reply, on reading some threads with similar questions I will go with Panda Cloud AV, seems light enough not to impact much and has good reviews.

I do not think I will be opening my XP machine often so was wondering if when it is closed is it still vulnerable to attack or only when running?

LMiller7 · 20 Jul 2015

In theory an XP virtual machine should be safe when it isn't running. But with malware being what it has become you can't be 100% certain. Safety is always relative.

bherber · 18 Jan 2016

FYI: I have the same configuration: "Windows 7 Pro 64bit and have Windows XP Pre VM installed on my W7. I have upgraded IE on the VM from V6 to V8. and its working fine."

I just downloaded and installed a "Free", "XP Specific" antivirus product from AVAST on it and it totally hosed up two different machines. After spending several hours trying to recover the partitions I ultimately had to totally remove the software, and the partitions, wipe all traces of it on the host machine, and start over again and rebuild them from scratch. I don't know about any other products, but DO NOT USE ANTIVIRUS from AVAST!!!

UsernameIssues · 18 Jan 2016

bherber,
What would be the reason to have the XP Virtual Machine go on the internet? I froze the last XP VM that I setup on a W7 host. I open it, use it for a few minutes and then close it. In theory, it should revert to its frozen state upon closing. Any changes that occur while the XP VM is open should be dropped upon closing. I know that this setup won't work for everyone, but it sounds like it would have worked for the OP. (Yes, I know that this is an old thread.)