VM or dual boot?

I saw that and I don't need XP mode (it is running pretty good though). I also installed Oracle VirtualBox. It comes with a user manual that will be helpful as I'm a beginner with VM's.

I wanted a VM to run Windows 8.1 and 10 to see if I want to "upgrade" my system to 10 in the future and because I know someone will ask me to look at their computer and if it has 8.1 or 10, I'll be confused.

I'm going to uninstall Virtual PC. Is there and reason to keep it for what I need.?

I'm going to have to buy a copy of 8.1 and 10 if I plan to run them in a VM, correct?

HAVOC said:

Got my answer.
WindowsXPMode_N_en-us.exe doesn't come with Windows Media Player (for Europe).

Would having multiple VM's installed cause any issues like having multiple anti-viruses installed?

You mean having AV installed on both the guest and the host systems?
I've done it before, I don't tend to usually, I just have AV on my host machine. But I have had VM's set up with AV and firewalls installed. Never really caused me any issues although can slow down the VM a little occasionally.

I was referring to having multiple VM programs installed at the same time.

I use both multi-boot PC's and VM's.
imho there are pros and cons to both.

For me a VM is fine for testing, learning, etc.
I would not run a "full-time/permanent" OS as a VM.
In a VM, everything runs through an emulator, and that can make a difference.
When i see an issue or question (VM), is it because of the OS or a "VM" issue ?
Been there, done that, spent the time troubleshooting.

With a bare-metal install, there is no emulator, my OS's access hardware directly.
I still use both multi-boot and VM's, they work for me as i prefer and want.