When you purchase a new Windows Vista, you are very excited with its new looks, features, speech recognition, etc. Its a great experience for some 2 or 3 days. Now when you get familiar with its new “WOW” interface, you think of installing your old softwares in it. Ah! Did I said installing your old softwares in Windows Vista, surely “A big headache”. You start installing your old software. It may or may not install properly. If it installs properly you take deep breath and think that your software is compatible with the new version of Windows.

But the problem is not over. Finally you run the software and there you are hit by hundreds of errors in it. Now you look out for new version of it on its publishers site. Unfortunately, the publisher has no new version available or or the new version is not compatible with Windows Vista. “Now what to do?” that’s the question which arises in your mind.

There are some options you can opt for:-

1. Install Windows Xp with your current installation of Windows Vista (Will dramatically slow down both your Operating Systems - Not Recommended).
2. Wait till your software’s publisher launch a newer version compatible with Windows Vista. You may try mailing the publisher and ask if he is going to release a compatible version in the near future.
3. Or install Microsoft Virtual Pc.

After hearing this problem from thousands of Genuine vista users, Microsoft launched the Virtual Pc.

What is Virtual Pc?
Virtual Pc is a software capable of running multiple operating systems at a time. You may switch between the operating systems as just you switch any two softwares.
How to do it?
We are assuming that you need to install a software that previously run on Windows Xp, so we are going to install Windows Xp in it.

Things Required:

• A Genuine Windows Xp CD with serial.
• Virtual Pc (Download Link)

Minimum Configuration Recommended for smooth performance:

• 1.6 Ghz Processor
• 512 MB RAM or higher recommended
• 60 GB hard disk.

The step-by-step method:
Setting Up the Virtual PC:

1. Download and install the Virtual Pc from Microsoft’s website.
2. Start the Virtual Pc.
3. Go to File Menu and click on “New Virtual Machine Wizard”.
4. Click “Next”
5. Chose “Create a Virtual Machine” and click on “Next”.
6. Enter the Name “WinXp” and click “Next”
7. Now Select “Windows Xp” from the dropdown list and click “Next”
8. Now adjust the RAM as per your needs and click next.
9. Now select a “A new Virtual Hard Disk” and click “Next”
10. Choose the location of Disk File and Press “Next”
11. Click “Finish”

Now your new virtual computer is ready to go.

Installing Windows:

1. Run Virtual Pc
2. Insert your Genuine Windows Xp Disk inside your drive.
3. Select “WinXp” and click on “Start”
4. Now the Windows Xp installation will start. Follow the instructions coming up on screen. Take help from your computer vendor. (Warning: Take special care during installation of windows. Ask for help from your computer vendor.)
5. The new window in which installation is running may try to capture your mouse. To release your mouse from the window Press ‘Right Alt’.
6. Now your windows is ready to go and you may install your old software and run it properly.

Now when you are running Windows Xp inside Windows Vista, you will face a problem of capturing of your mouse. To solve this problem you need to install “Virtual Pc Addictions”.

Installing Virtual Pc Addictions:

1. Start Windows Xp through Virtual Pc.
2. Go to file and click on “Install Virtual Pc Addictions”
3. A new installation window will open inside Windows Xp
4. Follow the simple instructions there
5. After installing “Virtual Pc Addictions” you will be able to switch your mouse between the two OS and your mouse will not be captured.

Now when you are done here are some common question that may arise in your mind.

Will Running multiple OS may slow my computer?
Yes when you will be running Virtual Pc it may slow down Windows Vista a bit. Its better if you work only in the original operating system (Windows Vista).

Creating Virtual Hard disk will eat up my Original Hard disk space?
Yes, it depends on your usage with the virtual OS. The more amount of softwares you install in the Virtual OS, more the space will be consumed on your original hard disk.

I can’t find the folder I created in Virtual OS (Windows Xp), in that of my original OS (Windows Vista)?
All the files and folders created by you in the Virtual OS (Windows Xp) are in that single vhd file you created i.e. the virtual hard disk, You cannot access them through Vista until Virtual Pc Addictions is installed.

Some important points to remember:

• Treat the two OS as two entirely different computers.
• Take special care during installation of Windows. You may ask help from your computer vendor.
• After you have completed the above process, if you want to share files between two OS you will have to share your drives as you do it in two different PC’s.

© Yogtec | Digital Technology