Virtual machine hdd space?

[DaRonRon]

Im pretty new to the whole virtualization scene so i have a couple of questions (noobish ones ). If i was to install an OS like XP in a VM, it will take up some hard drive space. But when i close the VM, will i regain this space? Does the virtual machine keep this hdd space even when im not running it?

edit: sorry forgot to ask also, can i install a 64 bit OS in Virtual PC?

 

[HughShaw]

If i was to install an OS like XP in a VM, it will take up some hard drive space.

Yes, about 2 GB w/o any programs installed.

But when i close the VM, will i regain this space?

No, it is saved on your HDD.

Does the virtual machine keep this hdd space even when im not running it?

Yes.

Can i install a 64 bit OS in Virtual PC?

Yes, you can't use Windows XP Mode for this. You'll have to get VMware Player, VirtualBox, or VMLite.

 

[DaRonRon]

oh damn i thought it would be able to run 64 bit guests
I originally wanted to give Virtualbox a try but apparently they dont allow 64 bit hosts!

Is there a free program that allows both 64 bit hosts and 64 bit guests?

 

[HughShaw]

Edit: They all should do what you're asking...

 

[pparks1]

oh damn i thought it would be able to run 64 bit guests
I originally wanted to give Virtualbox a try but apparently they dont allow 64 bit hosts!

Virtualbox supports 64-bit guests. They just don't have a 64-bit version of the software to run natively at 64-bit on the host...but you can run the guests 64-bit no problem.

 

[HughShaw]

Yes, but it will still work on a 64-bit host.

 

[DaRonRon]

Yes, but it will still work on a 64-bit host.

i will give that a try

 

[DaRonRon]

i didnt want to open a new thread so let me just ask this here. If i install an OS like lets say Vista in VMware and allocate it 30 gigs. So this means that it takes 30 gigs out of my hard drive space and i cant reclaim this unless i uninstall the virtual machine?

 

[pparks1]

i didnt want to open a new thread so let me just ask this here. If i install an OS like lets say Vista in VMware and allocate it 30 gigs. So this means that it takes 30 gigs out of my hard drive space and i cant reclaim this unless i uninstall the virtual machine?

With most VM software, the virtual hard drives you create are dynamic...which means they start out small and grow over time until they reach the maximum size.

So, unless you specifically say you want to pre-allocate space, you could tell the VM you want a 100GB drive and it will ONLY use the space it needs rather than 100GB at the start.

 

[DaRonRon]

ah ok, and when i chose to remove the Guest OS then i reclaim back my hdd space?

 

[HughShaw]

Of course.