February 20, 2007 6:00 AM PST

Virtual PC 2007 made available

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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.

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23 comments

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Thanks, but no thanks.
Passing on Vista.

Passing on Virtual PC.

Running Parallels and loving it!
Posted by ppgreat (530 comments )
Reply Link Flag
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.
Posted by Seaspray0 (8164 comments )
Link Flag
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.
Posted by lvonegger (24 comments )
Link Flag
Virtual PC 2007 64 runs on Windows 7 64! It is free. While it will run Windows XP quite well, One would find VirtualBox does a good job on that. One OS that VBox doesn't work with is Windows 98. VPC 2007 does. Microsoft should have just have made Windows 7 Professional with Windows XP a standard install without any extra charges, but that of course is wishful thinking. But at least with VPC 2007 you can put your old Windows 98 to use, an all those programs that you have gotten use to using. It makes think slightly more kindly about Microsoft, being able to use VPC 2007 64 on Windows 7 64 bit.
Posted by LincNeb (78 comments )
Link Flag
Thanks, but no thanks.
Passing on Vista.

Passing on Virtual PC.

Running Parallels and loving it!
Posted by ppgreat (530 comments )
Reply Link Flag
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.
Posted by Seaspray0 (8164 comments )
Link Flag
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.
Posted by lvonegger (24 comments )
Link Flag
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
<a class="jive-link-external" href="http://www.BryanCFleming.com" target="_newWindow">http://www.BryanCFleming.com</a>
Posted by bfleming98 (31 comments )
Reply Link Flag
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
<a class="jive-link-external" href="http://www.BryanCFleming.com" target="_newWindow">http://www.BryanCFleming.com</a>
Posted by bfleming98 (31 comments )
Reply Link Flag
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.
Posted by Al_S_Cook (7 comments )
Reply Link Flag
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.
Posted by Al_S_Cook (7 comments )
Reply Link Flag
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.
Posted by yeungj (26 comments )
Reply Link Flag
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.
Posted by yeungj (26 comments )
Reply Link Flag
*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
Posted by Penguinisto (5063 comments )
Reply Link Flag
*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
Posted by Penguinisto (5063 comments )
Reply Link Flag
 

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