Windows 7 - Windows Virtual PC - Change Virtual Machine Settings

**Brink**

How to Change Virtual Machine Settings in Windows Virtual PC

Information

This will show you how to change a Windows Virtual PC virtual machine's settings in Windows 7.

Note

To create a virtual machine or install Windows XP Mode, you will need to download and install the 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) version of Windows Virtual PC for your 32-bit or 64-bit Windows 7 Enterprise, Professional, or Ultimate edition.

Warning

Windows Virtual PC: Requirements

1 GHz 32-bit / 64-bit processor required
Memory (RAM)
- 1.25 GB required, 2 GB memory recommended
Recommended 15 GB hard disk space per virtual Windows environment
Supported host (your computer) operating system:
- Windows 7 Professional (32-bit and 64-bit)
- Windows 7 Ultimate (32-bit and 64-bit)
- Windows 7 Enterprise (32-bit and 64-bit)
  NOTE: Windows XP Mode can only be installed on Windows 7 Enterprise, Windows 7 Professional, and Windows 7 Ultimate.
Supported guest (virtual machine) 32-bit only operating system:
- Windows XP
  - Virtual Applications feature is supported only on Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) Professional
- Windows Vista
  - Virtual Applications feature is supported only on Windows Vista Enterprise and Windows Vista Ultimate
- Windows 7
  - Virtual Applications feature is supported only on Windows 7 Enterprise and Windows 7 Ultimate

Tip

UPDATE: Windows XP Mode now accessible to more PCs - Windows 7 Team Blog - The Windows Blog

Here's How:

1. If you have the virtual machine that you want to change the settings for running, then you must close or shut down the virtual machine first. (see screenshot below)
WARNING: If you do not close or shut down the virtual machine first, the the settings options will remain grayed out until you do.

2. Open the Windows 7 Start Menu.

3. Click on All Programs, expand the Windows Virtual PC folder, and double click on the Windows Virtual PC shortcut. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: You can also do this by opening the Virtual Machines folder at C:\Users\(User Name)\Virtual Machines.

4. Right click on the virtual machine (Ex: Virtual Windows XP) that you want to change the settings for, then click on Settings. (See screenshot below)

5. Select the setting in the left pane, and make any changes that you want in the right pane. (See screenshot below)
WARNING: You should ensure that the Close option is set to Shut Down.

6. Repeat step 5 until your done changing settings, then click on OK.

7. You can now open or start the Virtual machen again with the new settings. (See screenshot below step 4)

That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

**Dwarf** · 05-05-2009

If it isn't made clear by Shawn, you need to ensure that the Close option is set as shown below, and that the status of the virtual machine is also as shown. You will need to restart the VM and shut it down again to update the Machine status.

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**Brink** · 05-05-2009

Thank you Dwarf. I have updated the tutorial for your findings.

**Dwarf** · 05-05-2009

You're welcome, Shawn.

**raj1402** · 05-11-2009

so how to expand virtual hard disk by default its assigned 2.09GB

**swarfega** · 05-11-2009

By default the vhd will expand as needed.

**Brink** · 05-11-2009

Quote: Originally Posted by raj1402

so how to expand virtual hard disk by default its assigned 2.09GB

Hello Raj,

It will expand up to the 2.09GB by default. If you want the VHD to be larger though, then you will need to create a new VHD file instead.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

**dannet** · 05-19-2009

How do you access the display settings?

**Brink** · 05-20-2009

Hello Dannet,

You can change the virtual machine display settings inside the virtual machine like you normaly would for that OS.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

**tc2008** · 05-21-2009

I click to close the VM instance of XP running and it automatically hibernates the session instead of shutting it down. How do I change that, so I can then make the other setting changes?

Windows 7 - Windows Virtual PC - Change Virtual Machine Settings

Windows Virtual PC - Change Virtual Machine Settings

Windows Virtual PC - Change Virtual Machine Settings problems?