test new program in virtual drive, how

[bawldiggle]

How do I trial a program in a virtual drive.
I am a noobie :shock:

If the "trial" is to my liking, I would like to keep the program.
Unfortunately the EXE down load contains adware "Snap.do"
My theory is to install in virtual drive.
Uninstall Snap.do
Save the good stuff permanently onto my PC.
... am I on the right path ?

For over 12 months I have read of "virtual drives" on this forum ... and now I want to learn how.

I would appreciate any help

 

[BJB]

You first have to install a virtual machine, rather than a virtual drive. Either VMWare Player or VirtualBox will be fine providing your computer has adequate RAM and disk space. You then have to install an operating system in the virtual machine for which, if it's Windows you want, you will need an installation disk and a product key. Once all that is up and running you can use your virtual machine as a software testbed, though it isn't possible to discard the parts of software you don't want and transfer the remainder to your main system. The VM can share files with the host machine but that's as far you can go. The VM behaves as an independent system.

A virtual drive merely emulates a physical drive, i.e. you can just write to it, read from it, and run executables from it.

 

[Boozad]

Here's an example of VM Player running Windows 8.1 Guest inside Windows 7 Host.

 

[bawldiggle]

First my apologies for such a delayed reply.
- I get here when time permits
- VMs have been on my list of things-to-learn for about 12 months
- now I am ready to "jump" with VirtualBox

On VirtualBox download page do I download ...
VirtualBox 4.3.14 for Windows hosts x86/amd64
my laptop has Intel not AMD
... for Windows 7 32-bit Home Premium ?

I want to:-

1. Run my browser "PaleMoon" permanently in VirtualBox
2: Handle emails in VirtualBox
3. evaluate downloads in VirtualBox

Would that be either 3 instances of VirtualBox -OR- 3 virtual-machines ?
Am I on the right path ?

Thank you

 

[BJB]

Is Win 7 32 bit the host system or the OS you intend to install in your VM? Assuming it's the host system then that is the correct download but what OS are you intending to install in the VM? If Win 7 again you will need a new product key as you will have activation problems if you try to use your present key a second time. If that's a problem then you could of course install a Linux distro in the VM and run your browser and email client in that but that wouldn't allow you to test new Windows software, only Linux.

You only have to install VirtualBox once. You can then install as many OSs in it as you wish.

If you want to use your VM as both a regular day-to-day system and as a testbed for new software you will need to be very careful how you organise your data. Before installing trial software you would normally use the VM to take a snapshot of itself first. If you then don't want to keep the trial software you would simply revert to your snapshot BUT, unless you have correctly organised yourself, doing so would wipe out any data such as new emails that post-date the snapshot.

There are alternatives to VMs for those who regularly want to try new software and be able quickly to revert. Snapshot software such as Rollback RX or Wondershare Time Shuttle is one way, and Acronis True Image has some sort of 'suck it and see' feature too, I forget what it's called. I used Time Shuttle for quite some time and its ability to take snapshots in seconds and revert in seconds is pretty awesome. However there are a number of operating restrictions when using such programs so these days I use VMware Player.

 

[whs]

The 3 things you want to do can be done in one virtual system. Just think of it as a real system that shares space with the host.

Here is a tutorial from Shawn (Brink) how to install Windows 8 (same for 8.1 or 7) in VMware Player. I have used both Virtual Box and VMware Player and prefer VMware Player. There are also more people here that use VMware Player and could help if you get stuck.

VMware Player - Install Windows 8

 

[bawldiggle]

Thank you BJB and whs for your support

Host is Win-7 32-bit Home Premium ... as for guest OS ? ... now I am not too sure ...

Reading Brinks tutorial ... I need to do some more homework in the tutorial before I can even get started.
- The tutorial has 86 posts so far ... it will take some time to digest it all. I will get back here to further "my quest".
- if I have any elementary questions should I pose them in the tute or here ?

In the last 5 weeks I have assembled a dosier of ... SandBoxie, VirtualBox, VMware and a sniff at Windows Virtual Machine to try and get my head around "sand boxing (?)" But I got more questions than answers !

I have also been following an imaging tutorial (subscribed) in sevenforums.com since the beginning of this year and it became obvious to me that I should use a raft of tools to shelter my internet PC (Toshiba laptop).
I will go with your suggestion ... VMPlayer

If I appear to drop out for a few days, please bare with me.
- Two weeks ago my wife was diagnosed with cancer, and she needs my support, I have been through the "C" mill myself in 2008 through to 2012.
- And also keep my business afloat.

Thank you all for your support
Russell

 

[bawldiggle]

As for guest Windows OS.
VirtualBox web site suggested PCLinuxOS Magazine - Page 15
- but I haven't downloaded IE with the Win-7 trial edition
- nor do I know how old the "suggestion" is ... and maybe the current offering is Win-8
- I hope not. Having struggled with downgrading a Win-8 Dell, which was a nightmare for this newbie.

 

[whs]

Hi Russel,

I use VMware Player to run Windows 8.1 and a bunch of Linux distros. Here is a tutorial how to install Mint, but it is exactly the same for Windows if you select Windows in lieu of Linux. Maybe it gives you same more clues.

I have also made a little video running Windows 8 in VMware Player on a Windows 7 host. That will give you some clues about the operational aspects.

 

[Callender]

What's the program?

Hi. What is the software that comes bundled with Snap Do? If you let me know I'll download the trial and see if I can figure out how to install it cleanly without the toolbar and let you know if it's possible.

 

[bawldiggle]

Snap.do

Hi Callender

Thank you for your offer.
I cannot find which program was alleged to contain "Snap.do" I know I read it on a review/blog during my research into virtual machines.
Apologies for my sloppy OP. Life has delivered a few heavy duty challenges in the last 2 weeks

Normally anal about research, I document every thing I find but I failed on "Snap.do"

 

[Callender]

Snap.do toolbar

Hi Callender

I cannot find which program was alleged to contain "Snap.do" I know I read it on a review/blog during my research into virtual machines.

No problem! J
Just let me know if you ever come across it again and still wish to install it!

Best wishes!

 

[bawldiggle]

Thanks

 

[bawldiggle]

ISO file for guest OS

At Digital River what are RTM files ?

I plan on using ISO file to use Win7 Home Premium 32bit as guest OS

Have downloaded ...
Windows 7 Home Premium x86 SP1 U (media refresh) | X17-58996.iso
- "U" is not clarified in the web-page intro either
... then noticed ...
Windows 7 Home Premium x86 RTM | X15-65732.iso

What is the difference between these two Win-7 Home Premium 32-bit files
Thank you

 

[BJB]

RTM is the original Release To Manufacturers so will need SP1 and all subsequent updates. I believe the U stands for Updated and will include SP1 and maybe some further updates. However it's the Media Refresh that may cause a problem I think as it may only work over an existing activated installation. Just an educated guess though.