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 Pabster, and welcome to Seven Forums.

If you like, you might see how VMWare Player or VirtualBox may work for you instead. The tutorials below are for Windows 8, but they can help as a guide to use Windows 7 instead.

VMware Player - Install Windows 8

VirtualBox - Install Windows 8

 

[whs]

Hi Pabster,

In addition to Brink's tutorials I can provide you with a set of video tutorials that I made on how to install, configure and run a system in VMware Player. Just click on the tile at the website to operate the tutorial or right click on the tile to download the PDF. Sometimes it might help to watch a video in addition to text.

 

[Pabster]

Thank you both - for the welcome to the Forum and for the useful possible ways forward: I'm going to investigate now! I am very grateful to you both for your time and advice and will report back, in case my experience is of any use to other people

 

[Pabster]

I suspect that my running into a problem really early on indicates how incompetent I am. I tried the VMWare route, at it was first mentioned and looks promising. But where would I obtain an iso image of Windows XP from? I suppose that's why I'm so frustrated that the MS Virtual Machine procedure doesn't work for me, because XP could be downloaded from their site as part of that. IF you could spare a bit more time to take me a step further, I would be really grateful; on the other hand, I'll understand if not and, in that case, see what my local IT shop can do. Thank you for your patience and help so far.

 

[whs]

Do you have an XP retail installation DVD ? From that you could make an iso.

 

[Pabster]

No, sadly. I USED to have it on my last-but-one machine - XP Pro, in fact, with the disc - but must have chucked the disc with the machine, or before I moved from the UK, as I didn't realise there'd be problems running the language-teaching software until I started teaching Russian again, here in France, and found that there WERE! The local IT shop is suggesting that the only way round it is to pay upwards of 100 euros for a Win XP disc and then also pay for them to install VM, which would take it up to over 200 euros, which may (or may not) be fair, but which is beyond my budget at the moment. I'm beginning to see that there's probably not a simple way round this and I am both a bit embarrassed, and enormously grateful, to those of you who have taken the time to read and respond.

 

[whs]

You may need the XP license. But installing XP under VM you can do yourself. It is dead simple. Here I have made a tutorial with 3 videos that explains how to install Windows with VMware Player. I used Windows 10TP (because the license is free) and Windows 8 (because of the VMware tools). But the procedure is exactly the same for XP - just chose XP in lieu of W10 (you will see).

If you left click on the tile at my website, you can read and operate it in your browser. If you right click on the tile, you can download the PDF.

 

[RWB]

Hello, just read over this thread. I checked and my machine is HAV enabled. I'm running Win7 64 bit Home Premium and trying to install MS Virtual PC, but at over 2hrs it's just showing Searching for Updates ? So I went to task manager and shut it down.

I then went to my normal windows update and it says no available updates. I then clicked on Check for updates and it's now running forever also. I've had issues with the past few updates on my Win7 taking a couple hours ever since Win10 became pushed by MS. (Edit add-> And this was when windows actually first told me I had available updates) I surmise there is no way around this (?) as apparently MS only is interested in Win10 and is not concerned over Win7 inadequacies.

My questions are the following:
(1) Has anyone else had this issue installing Virtual PC on Win7 in the past yr? If so how long did take your install to actually finish searching for updates? (or did it ever ?)

(2) And before I go thru all of this I'm wondering if MS Virtual PC even runs that stable (and not slooow) on a 64bit Win7 Acer Aspire 6 gig ram, Intel i3 M370 2.4 GHz machine ? I planned to install a licensed 32bit XP SP3 as a VM on this machine. Was planning to give the XP VM 2 gig since I want to run a cad app on it.

Appreciate all input.

 

[Brink]

Hello RWB,

Did you download the MSU file to install Windows Virtual PC with?

Your PC should be able to run the XP VM fine though. If you like, there's an already made Windows XP Mode VM available.

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

 

[RWB]

Hello RWB,

Did you download the MSU file to install Windows Virtual PC with?

Yes this is the file name I downloaded and attempted to install but gave up after a long wait.
Windows6.1-KB958559-x64-RefreshPkg.msu

Your PC should be able to run the XP VM fine though. If you like, there's an already made Windows XP Mode VM available.

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

Thanks, although I have a paid for full version 32bit XP. I just can't seem to get past this update thing ?
You got any pointers on that or is it just walk away from your machine for a day while it churns away, and hope it finally installs ?

 

[Brink]

If you like, you might consider using a free 3rd party VM program like VMWare Workstation Player or VirtualBox to see how they may work for you.

 

[RWB]

If you like, you might consider using a free 3rd party VM program like VMWare Workstation Player or VirtualBox to see how they may work for you.

Thanks I'm looking into Oracle Virtual Box now, maybe with it I can get past the install.

 

[RWB]

If you like, you might consider using a free 3rd party VM program like VMWare Workstation Player or VirtualBox to see how they may work for you.

BTW before I go trying Virtual Box, I notice that MS Virtual PC 2007 is still offered as a download and it's a straight Exe install file ? What exactly is the difference between Virtual PC 2007 and Virtual PC for windows (the msu files) ?

I mean since my machine has hardware (HAV) support can I use the 2007 version?

 

[Brink]

Virtual PC 2007 is an older version that I believe will not work in Windows 7.