Virtual PC 2007 made available

Microsoft said Tuesday that it is ready with the latest version of its virtualization software, Virtual PC 2007. The software, slated to be available for download from Microsoft's Web site, is optimized for Vista, allowing users to run older operating systems from within Microsoft's latest Windows. Volume license customers running Windows Vista Enterprise Edition are allowed to run up to four additional virtual instances of Windows on their PC, while consumers can freely download Virtual PC, but need to license any other copies of Windows.

Microsoft also said it is ready with final versions of several other tools aimed at easing Vista migration, including a hardware assessment adviser that helps businesses evaluate which of its existing PCs are suitable for upgrading to Vista. Other tools include an application compatibility toolkit as well as tools for helping businesses handle the activation and manage product keys for large numbers of Vista PCs.

[ppgreat]

Thanks, but no thanks.

Passing on Vista.

Passing on Virtual PC.

Running Parallels and loving it!

[Seaspray0]

different computer but no different OS

Question: And just what operating system are you running under Parallels? Windows? If so, then what's the difference? Answer: My computer came with it; you have to buy it seperately and load it with a virtualization program.

[lvonegger]

Not for Mac OS, Sparky

Nothing here says anything about Mac OS, Sparky. This is the Windows version, running on Vista, supporting simple virtualization of Win32 on top of Win32.

[ppgreat]

Thanks, but no thanks.

Passing on Vista.

Passing on Virtual PC.

Running Parallels and loving it!

[Seaspray0]

different computer but no different OS

Question: And just what operating system are you running under Parallels? Windows? If so, then what's the difference? Answer: My computer came with it; you have to buy it seperately and load it with a virtualization program.

[lvonegger]

Not for Mac OS, Sparky

Nothing here says anything about Mac OS, Sparky. This is the Windows version, running on Vista, supporting simple virtualization of Win32 on top of Win32.

[bfleming98]

Why Virtualization is Important

VM Ware has a similiar product. The idea of picking up your old computer with Windows XP and moving it onto new hardware is awesome.

I can certainly see the day where you hold your Operating system on a small flash drive and just use whatever hardware is available.

- Bryan
http://www.BryanCFleming.com

[bfleming98]

Why Virtualization is Important

VM Ware has a similiar product. The idea of picking up your old computer with Windows XP and moving it onto new hardware is awesome.

I can certainly see the day where you hold your Operating system on a small flash drive and just use whatever hardware is available.

- Bryan
http://www.BryanCFleming.com

[Al_S_Cook]

Install, not run

Use of the term "run" is confusing in the Microsoft VM context. "Run" is usually understood to mean "operate simultaneously." In the case of Vista Enterprise, it refers to four *installations * of the OS, not the number of running instances. Microsoft doesn't use the term "run" but says "As an Enterprise customer, you now receive the rights to four additional copies of the operating system so that you can leverage up to four virtual machines in Virtual PC." This means that you can install the OS four times in a VM. After that, you must buy another OS license. So, for example, you can't create five VMs with a copy of Vista Enterprise, even though you might run only one VM at a time. Even if you copy VHDs to a DVD and take them off your computer, they technically count against your four free installs.

[Al_S_Cook]

Install, not run

Use of the term "run" is confusing in the Microsoft VM context. "Run" is usually understood to mean "operate simultaneously." In the case of Vista Enterprise, it refers to four *installations * of the OS, not the number of running instances. Microsoft doesn't use the term "run" but says "As an Enterprise customer, you now receive the rights to four additional copies of the operating system so that you can leverage up to four virtual machines in Virtual PC." This means that you can install the OS four times in a VM. After that, you must buy another OS license. So, for example, you can't create five VMs with a copy of Vista Enterprise, even though you might run only one VM at a time. Even if you copy VHDs to a DVD and take them off your computer, they technically count against your four free installs.

[yeungj]

Will test 2007 out...

I don?t know about VPC2007 but VPC2004 suck like there?s no tomorrow. I used it briefly at work but don?t like it a bit (no surprise). I?ve been using VMWare since version 3 and VPC2004 can?t stand any chance. The only advantage on VPC over VMWare is it?s free. Even though VMWare now offers some free downloads but they are very limited (can only use pre-build VMs). I guest that?s the difference between free and not free. I just downloaded VPC2007 and will test it out and see what changes have been made since 2004. Based on VPC2004, I guess if you are a home user, it?s good enough but for corporate or developers, VMWare is the way to go.

[yeungj]

Will test 2007 out...

I don?t know about VPC2007 but VPC2004 suck like there?s no tomorrow. I used it briefly at work but don?t like it a bit (no surprise). I?ve been using VMWare since version 3 and VPC2004 can?t stand any chance. The only advantage on VPC over VMWare is it?s free. Even though VMWare now offers some free downloads but they are very limited (can only use pre-build VMs). I guest that?s the difference between free and not free. I just downloaded VPC2007 and will test it out and see what changes have been made since 2004. Based on VPC2004, I guess if you are a home user, it?s good enough but for corporate or developers, VMWare is the way to go.

[Penguinisto]

*shrug*...

I'll admit that I have VPC7 on my Mac (PPC), but the reason I had it installed in the first place is fast disappearing (cross-platform testing)...

No thanks, MSFT. I have Xen, I will have Parallels when I get an Intel-based Mac (for Linux virtualization), and I won't be needing any MSFT products any longer.

/P

[Penguinisto]

*shrug*...

I'll admit that I have VPC7 on my Mac (PPC), but the reason I had it installed in the first place is fast disappearing (cross-platform testing)...

No thanks, MSFT. I have Xen, I will have Parallels when I get an Intel-based Mac (for Linux virtualization), and I won't be needing any MSFT products any longer.

/P