Geek Certs Blog

Microsoft Virtual PC (MVPC) is officially out of beta with its general release this week. You can learn more and download the free install program from the MVPC home page.

Check out the recommended requirements too, but pay attention to the fact that you can’t be running Windows 9x or XP Home if you want to install VPC.

If you don’t know much about MVPC, you must check it out. After you install VPC you have the ability to install a number of virtual machines (VM) each utilizing its own virtual hard drive (VHD). Each VM uses the resources of the PC under which VPC is installed. Think of a PC - or a number of PCs - inside a PC.

For example, let’s say you have a beefed up desktop PC running Windows XP Pro and that you install MVPC on that machine. Let’s say that you’re studying for your A+ and MCSE exams, meaning that you need to get your hands on Windows 2000 and Server 2003. To do this, first create a new VM inside MVPC. Name it something like “W2K” as you walk through the wizard. Then, create a new VHD so that you can install your Windows 2000 operating system on that VHD. The VHD represents the hard drive that will house the operating system controlled by your VM.

The VHD is a file on your PC and (if you didn’t change the default location) is stored within your My Documents folder.

It’s important to point out that your install of any operating system within MVPC must be have a license key as this is a fully-functional, fully-usable operating system. So, you’ll need your CD/DVD and license key when you launch your Windows 2000 VM.

When you launch (or boot) your Windows 2000 VM, it’s like you’ve just booted to a brand new hard drive. That’s right, your VHD has a setup program and nothing else on it! After you install Windows 2000 on this VHD you’re ready to go.

I’ve left out a lot of information about MVPC such as more depth on using the application, how to network, share folders with your host PC, and more. Check out its help file or feel free to write me if you need some help.