Windows 7 / Networking

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Understanding Microsoft Virtual PC

Microsoft also has a virtualization environment that can operate on its client software called Virtual PC. Virtual PC allows you to create and manage virtual machines without the need of a server operating system. The advantage here is that you can run server operating systems in a client environment like Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7.

Virtual PC gives you the ability to set up virtualization on a client operating system. This is beneficial for anyone in the industry who has to do testing or configuration. Virtual PC is not really meant to run a network like Hyper-V, but it does give you the ability to test software and patches before installing them live on a network. Also, it is beneficial to research problems in a controlled environment and not on a live server where you can end up doing more damage than good.

Finally, Virtual PC gives you a training advantage. Think about having the ability to train users on a real product like Windows Server 2008 or Windows 7 without having to purchase additional equipment. Virtual PC allows you to train users on products and software while using only one machine.

To run Virtual PC, you need a minimum of a 400MHz Pentium-compatible processor (1.0 GHz or faster recommended), that requires at least 35 MB of free disk space. You can load Virtual PC on Windows 7, Windows Vista with SP1 (Enterprise, Business, Ultimate), or Windows XP with SP3.

Perform the following steps to download and configure Virtual PC:

1. Download Microsoft Virtual PC (currently version 2007) at www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/download.aspx.
2. After the download completes, install the application on your system.
3. After the product installs, open the Virtual PC application by clicking Start → All Programs → Virtual PC.
4. When you start Virtual PC, the New Virtual Machine Wizard automatically appears. Click Next.
5. At the Options screen, click the Create A Virtual Machine radio button.
6. At the Virtual Machine Name And Location screen, type VirtualWin7 and then click Next.
7. At the Operating System screen, choose Other from the drop-down list (we are going to install Windows 7 32-bit). Click Next.
8. At theMemory screen, choose the Adjust The RAM radio button and set it to 1024 (512 minimum if needed). Click Next.
9. At the Virtual Hard Disk screen, click the New Virtual Hard Disk radio button and click Next.
10. At the Virtual Hard Disk Name And Location screen, accept the default location and click Next. You can change the name or location if needed.
11. At the Completing The New Virtual Machine screen, verify the settings and click Finish.
12. The Virtual PC Console now shows the VirtualWin7 virtual machine. Click the virtual machine and choose Settings from the Actions menu.
13. The Settings for VirtualWin7 appear. You can change or verify your settings here for this virtual machine. Click CD/DVD Drive and verify that you are using the local DVD drive. Click OK.
14. Put the Windows 7 32-bit DVD in the physical drive. At the Virtual PC Console screen, click VirtualWin7 and click Start.
15. Install Windows 7 on the virtual machine. If for any reason the DVD does not get recognized, click the CD menu and choose the Use Physical CD option. Press Enter and finish the install.
16. After Windows 7 is installed, close the VirtualWin7 virtual machine and save the changes.

Now that we have created a Windows 7 virtual machine for Virtual PC, let's go ahead and start the Windows 7 operating system on the virtual PC.

Perform the following steps to run the Windows 7 virtual PC virtual machine:

1. Open Microsoft Virtual PC.
2. Click the Windows 7 machine (VirtualWin7) and click Start.
3. When Windows 7 starts, log in as normal.

To do a Ctrl+Alt+Del in Virtual PC, you can use Right Alt+Del. You can go into a full-screen mode by clicking Right Alt+Enter. Enter the same command to get out of full-screen mode. When you use the mouse within Virtual PC, to release the mouse and go back to the host machine, press the Right Alt key.

Implementing Windows 7 in a Virtual PC environment allows you to start testing and learning about the new operating system before implementing it in your organization. Virtual PC does not support 64-bit operating systems. Make sure that all operating systems that you use in Virtual PC are 32-bit and check Microsoft's website for any changes.

Virtualization is a fast-growing technology that many IT departments have embraced. If you have not started using virtualization yet, start doing your homework now. Virtualization can save your organization money and downtime and make you look great as the IT person who implemented it.