Free: Microsoft's Virtual PC 2007
Microsoft's giving away Virtual PC 2007, a tool that will let you run more than one virtual PC on one system. [Thanks, Leo!] That lets you have multiple operating systems on one PC, without either knowing the other exists. And no, it's not a dual boot program.
That's one solution for those of you wanting to stick with XP while experimenting with Vista. I see it as Microsoft kinda-sorta acknowledging that not everyone's jumping on the Vista bandwagon.
One teeny little problem: According to the license, neither Vista Home Basic or Home Premium can be used with virtualization tools, even the one distributed by Microsoft. You can read about a work-around in "The Most Annoying Things About Windows Vista" here.
Honestly, I haven't tried Virtual PC 2007, so I can't give you a first-hand evaluation. But it's from Microsoft, so you know it's safe. (Sorry, I didn't mean to be snide, but it was just so easy...)
If you've tried it, tell us what you think.
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They also gave away Virtual PC 2004 free, and I've been using it for a few years now (upgraded to 2007 last month). I run XP, but have clients that still run Win2K and (gasp!) WinNT machines. I've used Virtual PC to create virtual machines running those old OS'es to support those clients, with much success. One major issue is it doesn't support USB, plus if you want to create a virtual XP machine, you'll need a new licensed copy of XP - you can't install and activate your existing copy. Without activation you'll get 30 days before it locks you out from logging in.
Two nice features:
1) Ability to "freeze" a machine and stop it, so you can start it back right where you left off.
2) Ability to discard changes made during a session to the virtual disk (handy when installing beta software for testing).
I have also recently played with with the 2004 version, but mine was strictly for a trip down memory lane. I created a virtual PC with a 500 MEG hard drive, and loaded it up with MS DOS 6.2 and Windows 3.11 (I was surprised my old floppy disks still worked). I ran the old MemMaker and DoubleSpace to optimize it better. I tossed in a copy of Microsoft BOB which I'd found a thrift store, but quickly turned it off (PCWorld wasn't kidding when they named it one of the worst programs ever!). Then for variety, I put my old favorite WordPerfect 6.0a for Windows on there. It was a blast from the past, and working with the clunky old interface really made me appreciate the long way things have advanced in such a short time!
jRyan: I oughta send you a copy of my old favorite Wordstar to try out. I might even have QEMM for you to try out...
While I'm here -- have either you or bobwool tried VMWare?
Have any of you considered that today is April Fools Day and Google is notorious for pranks on this day?
I find the article here highly suspect as well.
It's a shame if it is just an April Fools Day "Gotcha", because it would be a great concept that would put them completely ahead of any competition. It does seem plausible that advertising support could be used to fund it. But the free printing of image attachments on photo glossy paper has me wondering. if it seems too good to be true, it usually is.
According to MS, Virtual PC 2007 will not work on XP Home (bummer).
DJD
Regarding BooWoo's comment on March 28, 2007 that it will be necessary to buy another retail copy of XP to virtually install it, I believe this is only partially accurate. It depends on what OS cd-rom you got from the manufacturer.
As long as you are not using an OEM XP Restore OS CD, and/or you are not trying to create a virtual XP within your host XP environment with the same licensed copy, there is no reason you cannot virtually install your copy of XP on VISTA.
An OEM XP Restore CD, only works on the machine it came on.
If you have an actual OEM XP CD, it is only licensed for the machine it came on. While installation on another machine will be possible, you will be violating the license agreement. However, if you have upgraded your present machine to run Vista, then theoretically when you virtually install your OEM copy on the upgraded Vista PC, it is going back on the same PC. It will require, however, that you note if there is any such restriction in the EULA .
The way my customer uses MS Virtual PC 2007 on his VIsta PCs is to run apps that do not run yet under Vista.. This doctor's remote X-ray viewing app (shows Xrays stored on hospital servers) has not been upgraded to Vista so he runs it in a Virtual PC window expanded to fill the entire screen.
This is for two new Vista PCs in examination rooms were doctors show patients their Xrays. All the PCs in the 5 doctor's offices run XP so this is not an issue for them.
The only glitch is that occasionally the Virtual PC windows does not come up at the high res set in Vista for the monitor and must be manually reset in the Virtual PC window but this is usually unnecessary.
Mike, The Computer Doctor, Boston area