Windows 7 - Can I Install Virtual PC on Windows Server 2008?

I need to use Windows 7 for some reasons. Currently, I'm using Windows Server 2008 on my pc to do my works. So, I'm thinking to install Virtual PC on my Windows Server 2008 and then, install the Windows 7 into the Virtual PC. Is it possible?

there is a virtualization platform on windows server 2008 it's called Hyper-v, it is more powerful than virtual pc.
are you using server OS for home pc?

Hi there
Using a server as a desktop needs a few changes to use it comfortably. For starters you can get rid of all the notifications when starting / stopping a server as these are usually designed for corporate operations.

I suggest you look at this so the OS will behave like a desktop OS while still of course retaining all the server functionality :


Convert your Windows Server 2008 to a Workstation!

BTW slightly OT but if you want also to enable Windows XP / VISTA "Classic" games on W2008 Server here's how to do it

http://www.win2008workstation.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=7750#p7750

(You need either a VISTA or an XP install CD to extract some files).



Now I wouldn't waste my time with Virtual PC -- install vmware VMPLAYER (free) or VMWARE SERVER (also free) -- the advantage with VMWARE SERVER is that you can have the VM's running in the background and a user can log on to a VM WITHOUT having to have an account on the Host machine.



Virtual Box is also free -- however I'm used to vmware products and they work just fine.

I'd recommend going the VMWARE SERVER route -- it's slightly (but ever so slightly) more complicated to get guest OS'es up and running but the overhead is less and you DON'T HAVE TO SHUT THE VM'S DOWN when you log off the Host machine. The VM's can also be started automatically on boot as well without any user being logged to the host machine on so they are accessible to authorized users remotely too -- great for Web site testing etc.

Both VMWARE and VBOX support Non MS Guest machines too -- Virtual PC will work with these too in some cases but MS officially only supports Windows guests on Virtual PC.

As the previous poster said you could use HYPER-V but in this case IMO it's way over the top for what I think you need -- a Windows 7 Virtual machine running under "Classical VM software" like a desktop IMO is the best and easiest way.

Cheers
jimbo

It's worth noting that host-based (like VMWare workstation, virtual box, etc.) virtual machines are *much* slower (per clock cycle) and have a far higher overhead than hypervisor-based (VMWare ESX, Hyper-V, Xen, etc) virtual machines. However, if you install hypervisor-based virtual machine software (like hyper-v), you lose all ability to put the machine to sleep or hibernate while the hypervisor is enabled. This is one of the main reasons to still consider host-based virtual machine software on a server OS when running on a desktop or laptop. However, if you're installing server on a machine that will run like a server (on 24/7 while someone is using it), it would be far better to use the hypervisor-based software to run VMs if performance is a concern or issue.

Hi there
remember also if you use something like EsXi or the hypervisor route you need a SEPARATE CLIENT computer to access the vm -- it's normally not a problem if you have a spare machine lying around but if you just want to run a VM on a single computer then options like EsXi or Hyper V aren't appropriate.

Cheers
jimbo

That's true for ESX, but not Hyper-V on a full OS. On the Hyper-V OS (specific), yes. On full server with Hyper-V, no.

Hi there.

of course this really depends on what you want the VM to do -- You'll probably find that a desktop equipped with 8GB (preferably more -- VM's just GOBBLE up RAM) and a smartish quad processor can run a couple of XP or even Windows 7 guests at fairly near native speeds.

If the OP is using his system as a workstation then he probably won't have it on 24/7 either so for simplicity I'd still suggest running with something like vmware player -- overhead shouldn't be a problem if the VM isn't trying to do massive amounts of EXCEL calculations or loads of photoshop manipulations with many layers.

Note also though using a Host system can lead to performance problems with the virtual machine's I/O when using virtual machine software in this way so ensure you have decent disks on the host machine.

I've seen plenty of nicely equipped machines give really poor performance because the user has tried to save a few dollars by installing really slow disks !!!!

Cheers
jimbo

I'd like to run XP (or vista) on my windows server 2008 environment. Can I use Hyper-V to create a virtual environment on which to run it? How does that work exactly - Do I need to buy a separate XP or Vista license? I've never set up a virtual machine.

Hi there
Absolutely no problem in running any vm (even Linux guest OS'es) on W2008 server.

However you will need a license for the Guest OS (if it requires one such as Windows 7 or Windows XP).

What you will need is some application Virtual machine software --vmware player is a good start and it's free.

Install it and start it up and then install your guest OS just like you would installing it on a real machine. You will need the install disk and its serial number in the case of Windows. Linux systems are usually free.

vmware makes it easy as the "Install Guest" wizard will guide you through the process.

As far as I know XPmode is only available for Windows 7 professional and above (Ultimate / enterprise).

As you are using yor W28K server as a desktop OS it makes sense to install guest VM's this way rtaher than use the Hyper V option especially if you are new to Virtual machines.

Cheers
jimbo