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Running Virtual PC 2007 on Windows Vista

Anyone who has tried Virtual PC 2004 on Windows Vista knows that the experience can leave something to be desired.  But today, from the hard working folks on the Virtual PC Team, we have Virtual PC 2007.

Virtual PC 2007 was optimized for using Windows Vista as the host operating system, allowing you to run multiple operating systems on a single PC and have an excellent experience doing so.  Virtual PC 2007 has also been optimized for Windows Vista running as the guest operating system as well.  Here it is running on one of my Windows Vista boxes:

virtualpc

Virtual PC 2007 can be a huge asset to business users.  Many businesses have custom applications that are designed to run in a specific environment, and upgrading a PC to Windows Vista may break those custom applications.  With VPC2007, business users can enjoy the upgrade to Windows Vista without to having to give up access to those custom or proprietary applications.  Instead, custom apps are accessible in their native (albeit virtual) environment, exactly as you remember them.

For developers building applications on Windows Vista, VPC2007 can aid in backwards-compatibility testing of those applications by providing access to multiple OS platforms.  For instance, there is a Virtual PC image available for Internet Explorer 6 for Web site developers needing to test on IE6 -- virtually -- while also testing on IE7, all on a single Windows Vista machine.

Companies that are part of Microsoft’s Software Assurance Program and are migrating to Windows Vista Enterprise can take advantage of VPC2007 by using the four additional Windows Licenses they're entitled to, to create multiple virtual machines, each with its own operating system, on a single Windows Vista machine.

You can download the 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Virtual PC 2007 here.  There is no cost for the download or use of VPC2007.

More information on building and using virtual machines can be found at the VPC2007 Web site, and in this white paper:  Using Microsoft Virtual PC 2007 for Application Compatibility.

You should also check out Virtual PC Guy's blog for continuing news on the VPC and Virtual Server fronts.  "Virtual PC Guy" is Ben Armstrong, Program Manager on the Virtual Machines Team here at MS.

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Comments

  1. marshall
    Posted on: February 21, 2007 at 2:17AM  

    No offense but MS hasn't done anything to VPC since acquiring connectix.  VMWare on the other hand, has done exceptionally with the VMWare worstation products.  Their WS6 beta (release version coming in probably 2months) works faster under Vista, more stable, better networking options, support usb2 connectivity, and enhanced P2V (converting ghost images and vhd images to vmware formats),...... etc.

    Why bother with VPC7?  Oh, yes you may say VMWare WS costs money.  But there is always VMWare server and Vmware player.......

    MS has the opportunity with VPC and they killed it.......

  2. Brandon LeBlanc
    Microsoft
    Posted on: February 21, 2007 at 2:52AM  

    Personally I think the door is now wide open for Virtual PC now that Virtual PC 2007 is out the door. They had to make some backend changes first. Now they can add features etc. I wouldn't give up home on Virtual PC just yet!

  3. marshall
    Posted on: February 21, 2007 at 7:52AM  

    Sidebar Geek,

    Yes, I am sure VPC2007 is miles ahead of VPC2004.  However, VPC2007 still lacks features that the somewhat recent machines lack, for example, all the current cpus are identified (or emulated as) a P-III machines with the old 8XX series chipsets.  The video card emulated is very outdated.  No USB support.  Poor networking options..... etc.  These cannot happen with mere updates.  It needs fundamental changes in the core.  Now that VPC2007 is out the door, implementing those changes are even more of a really remote possibility.

    Vmware WS6 not only has USB support, it also has USB2 support, and your can even attached a usb bluetooth dongle and have it functional.  beat that for a start.  And you can have a virtual network (VLAN) among the machines with the interface itself as a routing adapter.  Let's see VPC2007 implement that.  And virtual machines in WS6 can now be running in the background.  Not going to be possible with the current VPC2007 architecture.

    As I said, yes VPC2007 is probably a major upgrade to VPC2004.  But it is miles behind its competitors nowadays.  And I am not even discussing support for other non-MS OSes in a vm........

  4. wwwebdill
    Posted on: February 21, 2007 at 2:16PM  

    sal information on off site about virtual ps =(

  5. Stephen
    Posted on: February 21, 2007 at 2:20PM  

    Hey I've looked over this blog and most of your comments are beyond me in computer speak.  My basic issue with Vista is that it does not support many of my older programs.  I have spoke to people at HP and AutoCad and they do not have patches to allow Vista to operate these programs.

    So why should I try and use Vista?  It's just more crap to deal with for the average computer user.  Now my choices for an OS is slim to none.

  6. Brandon LeBlanc
    Microsoft
    Posted on: February 21, 2007 at 3:30PM  

    Stephen, what version of AutoCad are you using? I have AutoCad 2007 running just fine in my Vista PC. I am curious, when you say "many of my older programs" - which older programs? How do you know Vista won't support them?

    Its a "myth" that all "older" programs won't run on Windows Vista. I've had great luck with applications that once ran on Windows 2000 and even 98. Usually with a release of a new OS, there is often a little bump in regards to applications and compatibility. I had some issues when XP came how. However everything always works itself out.

  7. MayoStudenT
    Posted on: February 21, 2007 at 4:58PM  

    "My basic issue with Vista is that it does not support many of my older programs." HP and Autodesk have had more than enough time to fix compatibility issues. I would get on their cases and not Microsofts. The media loves to bash Microsoft and blame them for everything.

  8. The MAZZTer
    Posted on: February 22, 2007 at 9:02AM  

    marshall: To each his own.  I've tried VMWare's free server offering and I prefer Virtual PC.

    1) VMWare installs two network connections which clutter up my Network Connections control panel.  Virtual PC just adds a protocol to existing connections.

    2) I have not had a problem with Virtual PC's networking.  I find the choices it gives me are satisfactory.

    3) The sound card emulated is both old enough to work with older DOS games and new enough to have Windows drivers.

    4) VMWare has the annoying habit of not allowing you to access the BIOS for the VM to change the boot order, which inexplicably defaults to putting priority to the HD over the CD.  I have to boot the VM 10 times while jamming on the F2 key (or whichever key it is) and maybe I'll make it into the BIOS once.  Maybe.

    Admittedly the lack of USB support and the lack of a tabbed interface are both minuses...

    ...but the conversation is pretty moot since they're both free!  Just try both and use whichever one you like, or even both.

  9. marshall
    Posted on: February 22, 2007 at 8:43PM  

    The MAZZTer

    You should go sign up for the VM WS6 beta now on going.  I agree, VMWare installs a few virtual nic into your system but under vista, they can be further grouped into a virtual network so as not to clutter your normal network config.

    VPC's soundcard has been a SB16 for ages and I think nothing has changed in VPC2007?  It will really suck with Vista.  VMWare has native x64 drivers for Vista and XP for the sound and supports OpenAL under linux as well.  VPC is no where close.

    I never had any trouble going into the BIOS of the VMs in VM workstation.  Just make sure your keyboard and mouse focus in in the VM by clicking on the VM screen as soon as you start and press whatever key to go into bios.

    No USB support is a HUGE minus.  For example, how do you test BT in VPC if you cannot connect a USB BT dongle?  How do you test all sorts of external hardwares?

    VPC2007 is nice but only for a toy.....

  10. Brandon LeBlanc
    Microsoft
    Posted on: February 23, 2007 at 2:09AM  

    The sound in Windows Vista in Virtual PC 2007 sounds amazing - based on my own experience. Had no problems with it.

    I do not believe Virtual PC uses the SB16 driver any longer. In Device Manager in Windows Vista, the sound card is called "Microsoft Virtual Machine Audio Driver".

Trackbacks

  1. Posted by: The Wow on February 21, 2007 at 3:42AM

    Microsoft this week has released a series of downloads designed to help deploy and manage Windows Vista

  2. Posted by: JMPInline on March 30, 2007 at 5:04AM

    Virtual PC 2007 added a new sound system specifically for using Vista as a guest and host OS . But when

  3. Posted by: Running Windows On Macbook ♦ Apple MacBook and MacBook Pro News on July 27, 2008 at 7:10PM

    [...] an interesting post was made today on this site [...]...

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