Host Windows 7

Usually people run Windows 7 on Virtual PC, host is higher version Windows OS, such as Windows 10/11.

In contrast, I would like to run higher version Windows OS on virtual PC. Host is Windows 7.

Which one is better? VirtualBox or VMware (I'm using VB)

The virtual PC needs to support Multiple displays.


Thanks for any suggestions.









(I got fedup by Windows 11. Thinking to move back to Windows 7 once more. But some apps have to run on Windows 11. Therefore, I am planning to build Windows 11 on virtual PC, hosted on Windows 7)

Windows 11 version 23H2 End of Servicing on November 11, 2025
https://www.elevenforum.com/t/windows-11-version-23h2-end-of-servicing-on-november-11-2025.33180/

siliconbeaver said:

I am planning to build Windows 11 on virtual PC, hosted on Windows 7.
[...]
Usually people run Windows 7 on Virtual PC, host is higher version Windows OS, such as Windows 10/11.
In contrast, I would like to run higher version Windows OS on virtual PC.

I think most people equate the brand name "Virtual PC" with Microsoft's Hypervisor product. I'm not sure if that's what you specifically mean, but if so I don't have any experience with that.

I have a few Win10 VMs running on a Win7 VirtualBox host, so it can be done with VirtualBox. I haven't tried creating a Win11 VM, so I don't know which of the oft-publicized tricks and gimmicks you'd need to employ to bypass Win11's hardware and TPM requirements upon installation. I would imagine it's possible, but there hasn't been any reason for me to try so I can't advise further.

Since you're talking about a Win7 host, I'll mention that the current version 7 of VirtualBox is unsupported on a Win7 host. However, IMHO the newer versions of VB really don't add anything significant in terms of extra functionality, so I don't see any reason you'd need to specifically use v7 if you're settled on using a Win7 host. I know v4 and v5 work perfectly well, and according to docs it looks like v6 might too, but I don't know that for sure. (One of the problems with online documentation is it only applies to the current version, so it's harder to find installation requirements for prior versions.)

Personally, I'm using v4.3 and it's worked so perfectly well for me for so many years that I have no interest in upgrading. When I upgraded from v3 to v4 many years back, several of my VMs (I have about 2 dozen) became unactivated. I had to go through the process of reactivating them. It was a pain, but fortunately I was able to do so. As time marches on and Microsoft shuts down activation servers, however, I would be increasingly nervous about future reactivation snags, so I'm happy to leave well enough alone.

If you're just starting out creating new VMs, you'll be activating anew anyway, so install the latest VB version that will install on Win7. Just be forewarned if you ever get the itch to upgrade.

Which one is better? VirtualBox or VMware (I'm using VB)
The virtual PC needs to support Multiple displays.

I haven't used VMWare in over a decade. I got irritated with the company jerking people around with all their ToS shenanigans, so I gave up on them. VB works for me, so I've never looked back.

VirtualBox VMs do support multiple displays. But remember, a virtual "display" is a window on your host machine, so "multiple displays" are multiple windows on your host monitor. I no longer have multiple monitors to confirm this, but if your host has multiple monitors I would presume you can simply drag one of the "display" windows over to the other monitor and simulate what you want.

thanks for your detailed explanation.

my VirtualBox/VBox is running Windows 11. it's hosted on Windows 7. its version is VM 6.1.50 r161033, the last one supports Windows 7. the newer versions NOT do (v7.1.4, V7.1.6). the older versions NOT run Windows 11 (v5.2 or older).
Per specs, VM 6.1.50 supports Windows 8.1 or above. If Windows 7, its support is limited. I have obtained all features needed. shared folders, dual-monitor, RTD , , , NOT bad at all.

I wish VirtualBox could be more powerful. it runs much weaker than physical computer. anyway, its' better than nothing. I would like to know VMware performance. my guess it should be similar.

several apps on my computer request modern Chromium and Java v17 or higher (Java LTS, long term support), which are supported only on Windows 11 OS.

my computer has changed to Windows 7/11 dual-boot awhile to fit this requirement.
after several months test, it's concluded that running time of those apps on Windows 11 is much longer than the time on Windows 7. about 2X-3X longer.
this slows down my daily work significantly.

therefore I have let the Windows 7 OS host VBox, in where runs those apps on Windows 11, meanwhile leave all other tasks to run on Windows 7.

that's much more complex than my previous simple Windows 7 settings (having been running about ten years). but better than nothing. at least, the computer finishes all tasks on time. no delay or stop.

siliconbeaver said:

it's hosted on Windows 7. its version is VM 6.1.50 r161033, the last one supports Windows 7. the newer versions NOT do (v7.1.4, V7.1.6). the older versions NOT run Windows 11 (v5.2 or older).

Thanks for that confirmation. I'll keep that info for future reference.

Just to clarify, are you saying VirtualBox 5.2 will not install on a Win11 host? Or are you instead saying v5.2 won't run a Win11 VM?

the guest OS running on VirtualBox v5.2 (or older) can be Windows 10 or lower. when installing Windows 11, it got error and went abortive.

VirtualBox v7 (or newer) cannot be hosted on Windows 7. If install, it fails and exits.

hence, Windows 7 user should go VirtualBox v6.1.50.

Thanks for the clarification. I've never had any interest in trying to run a Win11 VM, but it sounds like I need not bother trying if I ever did get the urge.

Update

host on Windows 7, the latest version is VirtualBox-7.0.26-168464-Win which will guest Windows 11 24H2 or earlier Windows.
this version will work only after update of Windows 7 latest hotfixes (my running UpdatePack7R2-25.4.10.exe). otherwise VBox failure because of Signature issue.
(I assume VirtualBox-7.0. is the Ver. for Windows 7)


VirtualBox-7.1.8-168469-Win, latest version, wouldn't support/host Windows 7.
(I assume VirtualBox-7.1. is the Ver. for Windows 10/11)