Virtualization in Windows 7 Home?

[RobertP77]

Hi, I'm interested in running Windows in a Virtual Machine on my Windows 7 PC. However I have 7 home premium and XP mode is not available for me.

Are there any free tools I can use to Run a Virtual Machine in Windows 7 Home? Preferably running Windows 7 within Windows 7.

 

[Brink]

Hello Robert,

You could use a free program like VMWare, VirtualBox, etc.... instead to create a VM with to run in Windows 7. You will just need to have a ISO file for the OS that you want to create a VM of to be able to do so with the program.

Hope this helps some,
Shawn

 

[pparks1]

Like Brink said, you can use vmware or virtualbox...which are free applications for running virtual machines.

Since you have Windows 7 Home though..you don't get the FREE license to run Windows XP Professional as a virtual machine. If you want to run Windows 7 as a virtual machine, you technically are going to need another license. Now, if you want to use it for a temporary period of time, you can load without a key and get 30 days. Then do the rearm trick up to 3 more times to get a total of 120 days for free.

And if you want to run something other than a windows based operating system, you can run any number of free linux distributions and such as a virtual machine...without needing a license period.

 

[RobertP77]

Ok so I'm about to purchase a 'anytime upgrade to windows 7 pro' is it worth it?

I just need to run a few legacy games like deus ex, and I have some software that I need to test in VM mode first, irregardless of operating system.

Yay or Nay?

 

[cluberti]

Well, if you need a second Windows license, yes, XP Mode is worth it. If you already have one that you can legally use (aka not used somewhere else), you could use something else on Win7 Home like VirtualBox and save the cash.

 

[Brink]

If you wanted to anytime upgrade to Pro to be able to use XP Mode along with Windows Virtual PC to test programs with, then it could be yes.

A game is not going to run well in a VM since a VM (guest) doesn't make full use of your computer's (host) graphics card and other hardware.

If you already have a legal ISO file of XP or a XP installation disc to create a ISO from, then you could just use VMWare, or another VM program, to have a XP VM to use without having to upgrade Windows 7 to save money.