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    Microsoft offering VirtualPC for free

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by mach_zero, Jul 12, 2006.

  1. mach_zero

    mach_zero Casual Observer NBR Reviewer

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    Microsoft is now offering Virtual PC 2004 as a free download. It allows you to run legacy operating systems such as Win98, WinMe, and Win 2000 and some other x86 based operating systems (some variations of Linux and possibly FreeBSD, etc.) in a virtual environment on your Windows XP computer, much like other products such as VMWare. Please note that it only runs on Windows 2000 Professional, Windows XP Professional, and Windows XP Tablet PC Edition. Have fun!
     
    mach_zero, Jul 12, 2006
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  2. Paul

    Paul Mom! Hot Pockets! NBR Reviewer

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    Yeah, I downloaded it, and it looks like junk compared to VMPlayer. It wouldn't let me install Vista in it, but that could be due to other reasons. I don't really care to do emulations anymore, but it would still be nice to be able to have Vista as a VM. I might have to go back to the qemu/VMP for that though.
     
    Paul, Jul 13, 2006
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  3. mach_zero

    mach_zero Casual Observer NBR Reviewer

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    Yeah, VMWare is a little more (OK, a lot more) diverse, but I figured "what the heck?", it's free so why not play with it. I haven't tried to install anything to any of the virtual machines I've created yet but I'll probably get cracking on a few different flavors of Linux in a couple of days. Wish it had the option of sharing your wireless connection. That kinda stinks.
     
    mach_zero, Jul 13, 2006
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  4. lmychajluk

    lmychajluk Notebook Evangelist

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    I haven't tried this 'free' version or the latest Vista beta, but I did get an earlier build of Vista running in a Virtual PC session just setting it up as a WinXP session.

    Also, if you look at the VPC homepage, you'll see "Microsoft is also offering the free download of Virtual PC 2007, with support for Windows Vista in 2007."
     
    lmychajluk, Jul 13, 2006
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  5. Paul

    Paul Mom! Hot Pockets! NBR Reviewer

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    Yeah, I see that. But nowhere does it let you download it. I'll try running it using an XP setup. The one good thing that Virtual PC has over VMP is that it creates VMs. I wish VMP would, and now they may since VPC is free and gives the option. I used to use qemu through MS-DOS to create the VM hard disk and then VMP from there. It was a pain, but I found a nice tutorial that helped.
     
    Paul, Jul 13, 2006
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  6. mach_zero

    mach_zero Casual Observer NBR Reviewer

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    That's because VPC 2007 isn't available yet. ;)
     
    mach_zero, Jul 13, 2006
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  7. Geckoboy86

    Geckoboy86 Notebook Consultant

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    about vista with virtualpc
    here is what is says in the email

    Whether Microsoft virtualization technology is an important component of your existing infrastructure or you're just a Virtual PC enthusiast, you can now download Virtual PC 2004 Service Pack 1 (full-version software) absolutely free. Virtual PC 2007 will be available for free in 2007, with support for Microsoft Windows Vista.
     
    Geckoboy86, Jul 14, 2006
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