Windows XP Virtual PC - Importing applications to different users

GTfan · 24 Jan 2013

Hi all,

I have just starting using a machine at work that was previously used by someone else. I am trying to access an application that I am told can only be accessed using the virtual XP. I created new credentials and launced XP Virtual PC.

However, I have no application access under my credentials. The previous user had access to these applications under their credentials. Is there anyway I can transfer or import the applications from the older user to mine? I am unsure how to do this.

GTfan · 25 Jan 2013

Basically what I have done is started my own XP Virtual Machine under my user. I have no applications installed in my XP VM.

I can log into the other user, and I'm able to use the applications there. However, I want to be able to use these applications in my XP VM. How do I do that?

Kari · 25 Jan 2013

Hi GTfan, welcome to the Seven Forums.

A virtual machine, as your XP Mode, is an independent computer as any other on your network. If you want to use an application on it, it needs to be installed on it. If you want to have AV protection on it, you need to install it on virtual machine, it can not use programs and AV solution of your host system.

Read this post for a bit more information: Installing OS on Virtual machine

Your options are to install everything you need on your XP Mode vm (virtual machine), or to import your co-worker's XP Mode vm to your user profile and use it.

To import old (your co-worker's) XP Mode vm:

Log in to your Windows 7 host (in virtual computing, host is the system where you run the virtual machines, in your case your user profile on Windows 7, and guest is the virtual machine)
Open Windows Explorer, browse to folder C:\Users\Your_Co-worker's_Username\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Virtual PC\Virtual Machines (notice that AppData is a hidden folder)
Copy your co-worker's XP Mode vhd (virtual hard disk) file to your desktop. The file you need to copy is called Windows XP Mode.vhd
Go to your desktop, right click this vhd file and rename it
(This is important for your system already has a file with the same name)
After renaming the file, copy it to C:\Users\Your_Username\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Virtual PC\Virtual Machines
Now follow this tutorial to create a new vm from existing vhd: Windows Virtual PC - Create Virtual Machine
(Steps 8 and 9 show to either create a new vm or use existing vhd; you need to do as told in step 9)

Now you should have a working XP vm with apps installed. Log in to that XP vm using old (your co-worker's) credentials, go to Control Panel > Users and create a new user profile for yourself, log out, login to your new user profile.

Kari