Solved virtualbox and UEFI BIOS

[mikef2]

My PC is a DELL AIO. The factory setting is UEFI/GUID partitioning.

I want to install VirtualBox version 5, into a separate GUID partition,and then install Windows 7 PRO from an ISO, into that separate VirtualBox partition.

Am I right in thinking that the Windows installer will create the normal legacy MBR partitioning scheme (just within the new VirtualBox partition) ,into which I can then install Windows 7?

Also will I be able to launch Windows 7 from the VirtualBox?

{I know this 2016, but I want to install Windows 7 on my Dell PC, for a special reason.]

 

[strollin]

You don't want a new partition for VirtualBox. The VHD that VirtualBox creates for a VM you create is actually just a file on your system that is used to virtually mimic a real disk and will have it's own virtual partition and such. The VM will also have it's own BIOS so installing a VM doesn't have any effect on your BIOS or partitioning of your host machine.

When you create your VM for Win 7, durng installation the installer will take care of creating the partitions it needs within your VHD. You pretty much treat the VM as you would a physical machine.

If your listed system specs are for the Dell AIO and you have only 4GB of RAM, things may get a little sluggish because you will actually be running 2 copies of Win 7. Make sure when you create your VM you don't allot more than 2GB of RAM to it.

 

[mikef2]

Hi Strollin,
Thanks for your very quick reply.
In one short message, you managed to explain how virtulization works!
One extra detail that I failed to mention. My Dell PC has 12GB of memory and is running Windows 10..
Does your comment about restricting the size of the VM to not exceed 2GB, still apply?

 

[UsernameIssues]

You can set the RAM for more than 2GB - however, the RAM needed depends on the tasks done in the VM. I have W7 Virtualbox VMs that work fine with only 512MB of RAM. Just use the default settings when setting up the VM. You can change them later.

 

[strollin]

My comment regarding RAM was based on your listed specs which say you have 4GB of RAM not 12GB. With that much RAM you can easily allot 4GB or so to your VM if needed without choking your host system. The key is that whatever RAM you allot to your VM is RAM that won't be available to your host machine while the VM is running.

 

[mikef2]

Thanks so much for your help

 

[mikef2]

You can set the RAM for more than 2GB - however, the RAM needed depends on the tasks done in the VM. I have W7 Virtualbox VMs that work fine with only 512MB of RAM. Just use the default settings when setting up the VM. You can change them later.

Thanks very much for your help

 

[mikef2]

My comment regarding RAM was based on your listed specs which say you have 4GB of RAM not 12GB. With that much RAM you can easily allot 4GB or so to your VM if needed without choking your host system. The key is that whatever RAM you allot to your VM is RAM that won't be available to your host machine while the VM is running.

Thanks once more for your informative assistance.