The use of virtual machines is one of the hottest trends in the world of personal computing. Virtual machines from Microsoft, such as Microsoft Virtual PC Windows 98 and Virtual PC 2007 allows users to switch from one operating system to another with just a click of the mouse. That means it would be as easy to change operating systems as it is to change applications that are running on your computer. Each virtual machine is independent from each other, so that means that each can have its own hard disk, network card, even its own processor. The following are just some of the operating systems that can be used on virtual machines:
- Windows Vista Enterprise
- Windows Vista Business
- Windows Vista Ultimate
- Windows 98
- Windows ME
- Windows 2000
- Windows XP
So what are the advantages of using a virtual machine on your computer? The main advantage would be the ability to use old applications on your computer without having to stick to obsolete operating systems. That means that you can play the classic games from the past that you have missed so much and can’t get on your new PC. It also means that you can utilize old business applications that are not being used anymore. The main operating system or the operating system that runs the physical computer is also called the host operating system, while the systems that run on the virtual machine are designated as guest operating systems. Here are just some of the important things that you need to consider when you want to use a Virtual Machine:
1. It is important that you make sure that the computer that you are planning on using can meet the minimum requirements needed for running a virtual machine. Keep in mind that a guest operating system that you will be installing will eat up some disk space. If you are planning on installing Windows Vista, it will need 15GB of disk space.
2. The memory is another consideration that you have to keep in mind. Both your host and guest operating systems will need some memory space. You have to add up the total memory requirements of the host and all the guest systems that you are planning on using and make sure your current specs provide more than that.
3. CPU – Microsoft Virtual PC needs a computer with a 64 bit or a 32 bit CPU. The simple rule to follow is that the faster the PC is, the better it will be able to handle virtual machines.
Here are some steps that you can follow in installing a virtual machine on your PC:
1. You have to download and install the Microsoft Virtual PC software.
2. Choose the option that says “Create Virtual Machine” and then click “Next”.
3. Choose the place where the files for the Virtual Machine are to be saved. Click next.
4. Choose the operating system to be used.
5. An option will pop up asking the amount or RAM to be allocated for the virtual machine.
6. Click on the option that says “A new virtual hard disk”
7. Choose the option where the virtual hard disk is to be placed.
8. Make sure that you have the disk for the guest OS that you need to install. Just go on with the process of installing an OS as if it were a physical computer, and you’ll be ready to run in no time.