Hardware

Create a virtual machine with Microsoft Virtual PC

By // October 3, 2006, 7:22 AM PST // billdetwiler

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  • New Virtual Machine Wizard

    This is the introductory screen of the new Virtual PC Wizard. You can access this wizard by clicking "New..." from the Virtual PC console or selecting File | New Virtual Machine Wizard.

    Read Joshua's article for complete details on recreating your fresh OS installation.

  • Create a new virutal machine or add and existing one

    You can select from the three options listed here. We will be using the first option (Create a virtual machine) as we are building this machine from scratch.

  • Specify the guest operating system

    You will then select the operation system to install on the virtual machine. This choice provides system recommendations based on your O.S. choice, but you are free to change any options during the course of the wizard.

  • Recommended RAM

    Based on your OS selection, Virtual PC recommends a certain amount of RAM, for example 256MB for Windows 2003 Server. You are free to change this, but remember that the RAM will be taken out of your host PC's RAM. Don't select more than you can spare to lose.

  • Virtual hard disk options

    From here you can choose to use an existing VHD or create a new one. As this is the creation of our clean environment, we will create a new virtual hard disk.

  • Virutal hard disk location

    Please take not of this location and file name as you will need to back them up to be able to recreate the fresh installation environment without reinstalling the virtual machine.

  • Virutal PC Console

    After creating your VHD file, your Virtual Machine is now ready to turn on. You can view the state of this and any other virtual machines you have in the Virtual PC Console application.

  • Settings for Test Virtual Machine

    These are the settings for your new virtual machine (accessible from the "Settings" button on the Virtual PC Console. From here you can adjust many settings on your virtual system as well as reallocate or add hardware resources, though most hardware changes must be done while the virtual system is turned off.

  • Installing the OS

    At this point you can start your virtual machine by clicking on it. If you have the proper media in your CD-ROM drive, you will be able to complete your installation just like on a normal system. One thing to watch out for though, if you use your mouse in the Virtual PC Window you must press the right ALT key to return mouse control to your main system. Once you have the virtual machine additions installed on your virtual machine you will no longer need to do this.

  • Virtual machine ready to run

    After completing your installation, you will have a full complete installation of your chosen OS ready for whatever work you have planned for it.

  • Install Virtual Machine Additions

    One of the first things you should do after installation is to install the Virtual Machine Additions. You can do this by selecting Action | Install of Upgrade Virtual Machine Additions after you have logged into the system. This will mount the ISO for the Virtual Machine Additions and begin the auto-run program. These additions will help your system run much more smoothly.

New Virtual Machine Wizard

This is the introductory screen of the new Virtual PC Wizard. You can access this wizard by clicking "New..." from the Virtual PC console or selecting File | New Virtual Machine Wizard.

Read Joshua's article for complete details on recreating your fresh OS installation.

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By Bill Detwiler

Bill Detwiler is Editor in Chief of TechRepublic and Tech Pro Research and the host of Cracking Open, CNET and TechRepublic's popular online show. Prior to joining TechRepublic in 2000, Bill was an IT manager, database administrator, and desktop supp...