Solved best installation for XP mode

[Maxheadroom]

hi hope this is the right section for this

ive just done a fresh install of 7 this has gone onto a ssd and its only about 100GB in size, i want to install XP mode but dont want it on my ssd as i dont want it taking up the space, is it possible to install it on another non OS hdd?

thanks

 

[seavixen32]

I'm not 100% certain, but I don't think you can.

As you know, XP Mode installs under Virtual PC and as far as I'm aware, Virtual PC doesn't give you a choice as to where you install it as defaults to your Windows drive, which in your case will be your SSD.

To be fair, Virtual PC and XP Mode don't take up too much drive space and I would have thought that a 100 GB SSD is sufficient for your needs.

Windows Virtual PC: Home Page

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows7/install-and-use-windows-xp-mode-in-windows-7

 

[Brink]

Hello Max,

At step 4D in the tutorial below, you have the option to click on Browse and select where you want to install the XP VHD file at. Everything else will install on the C: drive though.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/8247-windows-xp-mode-install-setup.html

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[Maxheadroom]

thankyou for the replys

is the XP VHD file the file that grows in size as things are saved in XP mode?

 

[Brink]

Yep. The VHD file is the virtual hard disk drive that XP runs from.

 

[pparks1]

I would suggest downloading and install XP Mode, but then using VMWare Player instead. It can convert your XP Mode from the MS format into the VMWare format. And with VMWare, you can put the file wherever you want it. And VMWare Player is a free download too.

 

[Maxheadroom]

thanks again Brink, cant plus rep you anymore i need to spread it around it seems

thanks pparks1 not heard of VMWare before i will have a looksy

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome Max.

 

[Maxheadroom]

is it possible to have the XP mode.vhd saved in an other place rather than the C drive?

im usind a ssd drive and its not that big, my xp mode.vhd is already at 5gb and i havent been using it that long.

 

[Brink]

Hello Max,

Yes, but you can only do so at step 4D in the tutorial when you are installing XP Mode to specify where you want the VHD.

If it's already installed, then you will need to uninstall it, and do it again but being sure to specify where this time round.

 

[Maxheadroom]

the .vhd in step 4d Brink is the Windows XP Mode base.vhd and its size stays at 1,184,240KB so its not a problem,

during set up it saves the Windows XP Mode.vhd to
C:\Users\myname\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Virtual PC\Virtual Machines, and its size increases which is a problem if your hdd like mine is a fairly small ssd.

 

[Brink]

Ah, that one. You could move the VHD file to another location of your choice, then:

• Close Windows XP Mode if opened.
• Open the C:\Users\(user-name)\Virtual Machines folder
• Right click on Windows XP Mode.vmcx, and click on Settings
• Click on Browse, and select the VHD at it's new location
• If Parent Disk (base) is empty, click on Create, and select whatever base VHD location you had there before, or create a new one where you like.
• Click on OK when finished.

 

[Maxheadroom]

i have no .vmcx in my virtual machines folder Brink, i have

windows xp mode.vhd, windows xp mode.vmc and windows xp mode.vmc.vpcbackup

none of those give a settings option when right clicked.

edit: forget that i was looking in the wrong place, found it now.

a massive thanks to you again Brink your an absolute star mate.

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome. I'm happy to hear that you got it moved to where you wanted.