Image your system with free Macrium

Although I am an old vBox fan, I find VMware easier to handle. It does e.g. copy/paste between host and guest without a hitch.

PCG said:

kado897 said:

Point 2 is only true if the virtual disk image file is on a partition that you image.

So including the virtual disk image file on the same partition would make life easier when it comes to copying system images, I suppose? That's probably the route I'll take since I have plenty of room on my SSD.

I put mine on the SSD although I have only a 60GB model. Right now I have over 15GB of freespace.

That's fine if you are going to have just the one VM. I have several with different OS's in them W8, W7 and several Linux distros. I have put them with my data, which is separate from Windows and programs, and do file backups on them.

I chose the SSD for the speed. But I'll probably also install a Linux distro - but then on a spinner. Not sure which Linux. Last times I used Ubuntu and did not like it. Maybe the new Fedora is nice. Any advice ??

My favorite is Linux Mint with the Cinnamon desktop. It even has a start menu.

I haven't really bothered with VMs but you've all motivated me to get stuck in. It appears VMWare is well regarded? I gather if you put an MS OS (eg Windows 8) on the VM you need a dedicated license?

kado897 said:

My favorite is Linux Mint with the Cinnamon desktop. It even has a start menu.

Thank you Keith. That looks good. Once I get Windows 8 going and some of the stuff on my Android tablet, that will be my next project. How does one get this Cinnamon desktop. Is that a standard option with Mint.