Windows Virtual PC - Create Virtual Machine

How to Create a Virtual Machine in Windows Virtual PC​

   Information

This will show you how to create a new virtual machine in Windows Virtual PC, and install the 32-bit guest operating system that you want to run in the virtual machine on your 32-bit or 64-bit Windows 7 as the host.

   Note

Windows Virtual PC is the latest Microsoft virtualization technology for Windows 7. It is the runtime engine for Windows XP Mode to provide a virtual Windows environment for Windows 7. With Windows Virtual PC, Windows XP mode applications can be seen and accessed from a Windows 7-based PC.

You will need to download and install the 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) version of Windows Virtual PC for your 32-bit or 64-bit Windows 7.

   Warning

Windows Virtual PC: Minimum Requirements

• 1 GHz 32-bit / 64-bit processor that supports Intel® Virtualization Technology or AMD Virtualization.
• Memory (RAM)
  • 1.25 GB required, 2 GB memory recommended
• Recommended 15 GB hard disk space per virtual Windows environment
• Supported host (your computer) operating systems:
  • Windows 7 Home Premium (32-bit or 64-bit)
  • Windows 7 Professional (32-bit or 64-bit)
  • Windows 7 Ultimate (32-bit or 64-bit)
  • Windows 7 Enterprise (32-bit or 64-bit)
    NOTE: Windows XP Mode can only be installed on Windows 7 Professional, Windows 7 Ultimate, and Windows 7 Enterprise.
• Supported "guest" (virtual machine) 32-bit only operating systems:
  • Windows XP 32-bit only
    • Virtual Applications feature is supported only on Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) Professional
  • Windows Vista 32-bit only
    • Virtual Applications feature is supported only on Windows Vista Enterprise and Windows Vista Ultimate
  • Windows 7 32-bit only
    • Virtual Applications feature is supported only on Windows 7 Enterprise and Windows 7 Ultimate

   Tip

UPDATE: Windows XP Mode now accessible to more PCs - Windows 7 Team Blog - The Windows Blog

EXAMPLE: Create Virtual Machine
NOTE: For example, create a Vista virtual machine.
Here's How:1. If you have not already, then you will need to first download and install Windows Virtual PC. If you did, then go to step 2 below.A) At the Windows Virtual PC webpage, select your language, and click on the Continue button. (see screenshot below)
B) If you have not already, you will need to validate your Windows 7 first. Click on Install to install the Genuine Windows Validation Component, or follow on screen instructions. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: You will need to have Windows 7 activated and cookies enabled to be able to do this.
C) Select your language, and click on the Download button for either the Windows6.1-KB958559-x86-RefreshPkg.msu (32-bit) or Windows6.1-KB958559-x64-RefreshPkg.msu (64-bit) file for your same 32-bit or 64-bit Windows 7 version you have installed.
D) Save the Windows6.1-KB958559-x86-RefreshPkg.msu or Windows6.1-KB958559-x64-RefreshPkg.msu file to your desktop.

E) Double click on the downloaded Windows6.1-KB958559-x86-RefreshPkg.msu or Windows6.1-KB958559-x64-RefreshPkg.msu file to start installing it.

F) If prompted by UAC, click on Yes.

G) Click on Yes.

H) Click on the I Accept button.

I) When it is finished, click on the Restart Now button.
WARNING: This will restart your computer immediately. Be sure to save and close anything that you have open first.

J) When the computer is finished restarting, continue on to step 2 below.
2. Do step 3 or 4 below for what you would like to do.

3. Open the Start Menu, type vpcwizard.exe in the search box, press Enter, and go to step 5 below.
4. Open the Start Menu. Click on All Programs, expand Windows Virtual PC folder, double click on the Virtual Machines shortcut, and go to step 5 below. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: You can also open the Virtual Machines folder at C:\Users\(User Name)\Virtual Machines.
5. Click on the Create Virtual Machine button on the toolbar. (See screenshot below)
6. Type in a name (ex: Vista) you want for the new virtual machine, then select a location where you want the .vmcx and .vhd files saved at. Click on the Next button. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: You can save them anywhere you like, but the default location is the hidden
C:\Users\(user name)\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Virtual PC\Virtual Machines folder or the C:\Users\(user name)\Virtual Machines folder.
7. Enter how much of your RAM (1 GB = 1024 MB) you want to be used by the virtual machine. (See screenshot below)
8. Check the Use computer on network connections box if you would like the virtual machine to have network or internet access, then click on the Next button. (See screenshot above)

9. To Create a Dynamically Expanding VHD
NOTE: This is the usual default option.A) Select (dot) Create a dynamically expanding virtual hard disk. (See screenshot below)
B) Verify that the name and location is correct (from step 5), then click on the Create button. (See screenshot above)

C) Go to step 12.
10. To Use an Existing VHD FileA) Select (dot) Use an existing virtual hard disk. (See screenshot below)
B) Click on the Browse button and navigate to and select the VHD file that you want to use to create a virtual machine (VM) with, then click on the Create button. (See screenshot above)
WARNING: Windows Virtual PC only supports using a VHD up to 127 GB (130,048 MB) for a dynamic VHD, and up to 41 GB (42,023) for a fixed VHD. Any larger and you will not be able access the VM from within Windows Virtual PC.

C) Right click on this new virtual machine (Ex: Vista.vmcx file), and click on Open. (See screenshot below)
D) Go to step 17.
11. To Create a VHD with Advanced OptionsA) Select (dot) Create a virtual hard disk using advanced options, then click on the Next button. (See screenshot below)
B) Select the type of VHD to create. (See screenshot below)
C) Verify that the name and location is correct (from step 5), then click on the Next button. (See screenshot above)
12. Right click on this new virtual machine (Ex: Vista.vmcx file), and click on Settings.
13. To Use a ISO File to Create the Virtual Machine FromA) In the left pane select DVD Drive, then select (dot) Open an ISO image in the right pane. (See screenshot below)
B) Click on the Browse button and navigate to the location of the .ISO file of the operating system (ex: Vista) that you want to install in the VM, then select the ISO file and double click on it. Click on OK. (See screenshot above)
NOTE: If you do not have a ISO file of the operating system, then you can use a free program like ImgBurn to create a ISO file from the operating system's installation DVD.

C) Go to step 15.
14. To Use a DVD or Bootable USB to Create the Virtual Machine FromA) In the left pane select DVD Drive, select (dot) Access a physical drive in the right pane, then select the drive letter of the installation DVD or bootable USB. (See screenshot below step 13A)
15. Right click on this new virtual machine (Ex: Vista.vmcx file), and click on Open.
16. Install the OS (Ex: Vista) in the virtual machine.
WARNING: Be sure to give the user account a password. Blank passwords are not supported, and can cause you to have problems with logging on to the VM. If you did leave the password field blank, then you should get a option after trying to log on without a password to continue to login without the password for now. You can then create a password for the user account in the VM.

17. To Install Integration ComponentsA) For how, see: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorial...egration-features-install-enable-disable.html
18. Close or shutdown the new virtual machine.
NOTE: See yellow TIP box below for how to close the virtual machine.

19. Open the Windows 7 Start Menu in your computer (host).

20. Click on All Programs, expand Windows Virtual PC folder, then right click on this new virtual machine (Ex: Vista.vmcx file), and click on Settings.
21. In the left pane select DVD Drive, then select (dot) Access a physical drive in the right pane. Select the DVD drive letter from the drop down menu that you would like to use in the virtual machine, and click on OK. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: If you do not want to use a DVD drive in the virtual machine, then select (dot) None instead.
22. You now have a newly created virtual machine.

   Tip

• You can close the virtual machine by shutting down the virtual machine from the Start menu inside the virtual machine, or by clicking on the close X at the top right corner of the virtual machine window. Afterwards, select the Turn Off option and click on OK. (See screenshot beow)

• You can open the virtual maching by opening the Start Menu, click on All Programs, expand Windows Virtual PC folder, and double click on the virtual maching shortcut.

That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

---

• How to Install and Setup Virtual Windows XP Mode in Windows 7
• How to Enable the Built-in Administrator Account in Windows XP Mode
• How to Change Virtual Machine Settings in Windows Virtual PC
• How to Create Differencing Disks in Windows Virtual PC
• How to Delete a Virtual Machine Created with Windows Virtual PC
• How to Copy a Virtual XP Machine in Windows 7
• How to Add Limited User Accounts to Windows Virtual PC XP Mode
• How to Extract Files from Windows 7 System Image using Virtual PC
• How to Boot from a CD or DVD in a Windows Virtual PC
• How to Connect Windows Virtual PC to the Network
• How to Install, Enable, and Disable Windows Virtual PC Integration Features
• How to Select Host Devices to Share with Virtual Machines in Windows Virtual PC
• How to Slipstream Windows 7 SP1 and Updates to Create a Bootable USB, Installation DVD, or ISO File
• How to Speed Up Performance of a Virtual Machine

 

[Brink]

Hello Metalsteel, and welcome to Seven Forums.

If you have a XP installation disc, then you can use the free program ImgBurn to create a ISO from the DVD to use to create the virtual PC with.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[kbz1960]

I thought this was aval for download as it says for home premium 64 bit but when I click on the choice for home premium I get this. I click on not to download xp mode.

Thanks

 

[Brink]

Hello KBz1960,

Sorry, but no. Windows XP Mode is only available in Windows 7 Enterprise, Windows 7 Professional, and Windows 7 Ultimate.

You would have to install another virtual machine program (ex: Virtual PC 2007 w/SP1, VMware, VirtualBox, etc....), then create a XP VM with it instead.

 

[kbz1960]

Hummm well I really didn't want it for xp but linux. I suggest that you change the supported host OS as I take this as home premium is suported. I did search some more and found the Virtualbox that I'm attempting now.

Thanks

 

[Brink]

Will do. I'm not sure why MS listed them as supported host editions when you can't download it using them.

 

[DavidMKD]

it shows some hardware assisted error? How can be solved is it something with processor ?

 

[Brink]

Hello David,

You got this error message because your Intel Celeron D CPU does not support Intel® Virtualization Technology. Because of this, you will not be able to install Windows Virtual PC. Instead you will need to use another virtual machine progam like Microsoft Virtual PC 2007 SP1, VirtualBox, VMware Player, etc..... to create a virtual machine with instead.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[DavidMKD]

Thank you Shawn now it works and yeah can you give me some good processor for this...Does Dual Core or Core 2 Duo support this technology ?

 

[Brink]

You're welcome David.

Some support it, and some don't. Here are the spec links on those type showing which CPUs do and don't.

Intel® Core

Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor - Specifications

 

[Miranova23]

Hello, I've been loving all the tutorials here. I seem to have run into a snag with this one though.

The virtual machine starts up fine and runs in its window. It tries load my slipstreamed .iso, it says "Windows is loading files" with the loading bar like normal. But then, it stops and I get an error:
Windows failed to start. A recent hardware or software change might be the cause...
...
File: \windows\system32\boot\winload.exe
Status: 0xc000035a
Info: Attempting to load a 64-bit application, however this CPU is not compatible with 64-bit mode.

I just tried it with an iso of my actual installation disc again, to the same exact result. Now, I assure you, my CPU is AMD Phenom II x6 1090T, I am running 64-bit Win7Pro SP1 right now, the slipstreamed iso was x64, and the disc I used was the x64 one. Am I missing something or is there another problem somewhere else I should be looking into? :huh:

 

[Brink]

Hello, I've been loving all the tutorials here. I seem to have run into a snag with this one though.

The virtual machine starts up fine and runs in its window. It tries load my slipstreamed .iso, it says "Windows is loading files" with the loading bar like normal. But then, it stops and I get an error:
Windows failed to start. A recent hardware or software change might be the cause...
...
File: \windows\system32\boot\winload.exe
Status: 0xc000035a
Info: Attempting to load a 64-bit application, however this CPU is not compatible with 64-bit mode.

I just tried it with an iso of my actual installation disc again, to the same exact result. Now, I assure you, my CPU is AMD Phenom II x6 1090T, I am running 64-bit Win7Pro SP1 right now, the slipstreamed iso was x64, and the disc I used was the x64 one. Am I missing something or is there another problem somewhere else I should be looking into? :huh:

Hello Miranova,

Unfortunately, Windows Virtual PC does not support running a 64-bit OS as a virtual machine.

However, you can use the free program VMWare Player to run a 64-bit virtual machine though.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[Miranova23]

Sweet =) I was really hoping I didn't screw anything up ^^"
I figured since the download said it was for a 64-bit os, that it could in turn run a virtual os. Oh well. I guess maybe cuz 1 of them does need to be capped at 4gb...

& thank you so much for the quick reply! =D

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome Miranova.

You could create a 32-bit Windows 7 virtual machine in your 64-bit Windows 7, but just not a 64-bit virtual machine.

 

[Britton30]

That VM Ware site is very confusing. Dowload manager, Binaries, VM players galore. Sounds spammy to me.

 

[nonpasaran]

Hi Brink,

I want to add some info;

1- You say:

"Supported host (your computer) operating system:
Windows 7 Professional (32-bit or 64-bit)
Windows 7 Ultimate (32-bit or 64-bit)
Windows 7 Enterprise (32-bit or 64-bit)"

But I thing, Windows 7 HP also support Windows Virtual PC because I allready use it.

2- You say:

"NOTE: Windows XP Mode can only be installed on Windows 7 Enterprise, Windows 7 Professional, and Windows 7 Ultimate."

Yes it's true but if tou copy XP Mode as .vhd file from any supported and installed O.C. (Windows 7 Enterprise, Windows 7 Professional, and Windows 7 Ultimate) to Windows 7 Home Premium you can use it for 27 days as trial:

Maybe I missing something if so sory for inconvenience

 

[Brink]

Hello Nonpasaran,

Yeah Windows Virtual PC by itself can be installed on Windows Home Premium, but XP Mode is not eligible to install it normally. Sure you could use that workaround to use the XP Mode VHD, but it's not supported.

 

[nonpasaran]

Thanks for quick response
Yes you are right about it.

But still I thing "Supported host (your computer) operating system" part of article must be edit as;

Supported host operating system:

Windows 7 Home Basic
Windows 7 Home Premium
Windows 7 Enterprise
Windows 7 Professional
Windows 7 Ultimate

source

Thanks for patience

 

[Brink]

Strange, Home Basic is not listed here though where you download it at. I'll add it though later after testing and verifying.

 

[louislaw]

Windows Genuine Advantage validation tool is no longer supported

In Step 1B "...Click on Install to install the Genuine Windows Validation Component..." is no longer valid. Error message from 2011 version:
Windows Genuine Advantage error This version of the Windows Genuine Advantage validation tool is no longer supported. Please download the newest version and ensure that your system clock is accurate
My install of Windows 7 Professional (x64) Service Pack 1 is valid, using the Genuine Advantage replacement. Have not found a work-around or later .exe file from Microsoft that updated the validity check in Virtual Box.

 

[Brink]

Hello Louis, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Here are a couple of items to check.

Are you doing this in Internet Explorer?

Are you logged in an administrator account on that PC and not through Virtual Box or domain?