VIRTUAL PC 2007 IS FREE AND EASY! It runs multiple operating systems running inside of an operating system. Save time and money as Virtual PC allows you to maintain the compatibility of legacy and custom applications during migration to new operating systems and increases the efficiency of support, development, and training staffs.

ONCE AGIAN IT IS A FREE PROGRAM (Unlike VMWare or Parallels for Windows)

With Microsoft 2007, you can create and run one or more virtual machines, each with its own operating system, on a single computer. This provides you with the flexibility to use different operating systems on one physical computer.

For more information about the ways you can use virtual machines, see Virtual PC at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=78095.

Step 1: System Requirements

System Requirements

Basically Virtual PC can run on any computer although the better your computer the better it will run and if you have a really shitty computer it probably won't run to well. Although the average computer should manage to run it very well.

Processor: AMD Athlon/Duron, Intel Celeron, Intel Pentium II, Intel Pentium III, Intel Pentium 4, Intel Core Duo, and Intel Core2 Duo

RAM: Add the RAM requirement for the host operating system that you will be using to the requirement for the guest operating system that you will be using. If you will be using multiple guest operating systems simultaneously, total the requirements for all the guest operating systems that you need to run simultaneously.

Available disk space: To determine the hard disk space required, add the requirement for each guest operating system that will be installed.

Step 2: So Where Do I Get It?

So you will have to go to microsoft to download the free program. Here is a direct link http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=04d26402-3199-48a3-afa2-2dc0b40a73b6&displaylang=en
Then go ahead and install it. It might say somthing about how it can't run if you dont have business, ultimate, or professional edition of XP or Vista. Just ignore the message and click continue or ok.

Step 3: Create a New Virtual Machine

Once you've got Virtual PC 2007 downloaded and installed and your operating system disc at the ready, from Virtual PC's Action menu, choose "New Virtual Machine Wizard" and you're off. Within the VM Wizard, you'll set how much RAM to allocate to the operating system virtual machine, and you'll also set up a new Virtual Hard Drive with a size you set that operating system will use to store data.

The Virtual Machine Wizard, like most Windows wizards, is easy enough to work through, so I'll spare you the text.

Step 4: Install You Operating System

To install your operating system go to the Virtual PC Console and and double click the VM you just created. Once its started click on CD menu at the top of the machine. Then if you have the .iso file of your Operating System click on Capture ISO Image or if you just have the CD click on Use Physical Drive. Then click on Action menu, then Reset. After this you just have to install your operating system as you normally would in any other computer. You will need to look up a guide for installing linux though.

Step 5: Install the Virtual Machine Additions

The first time you click inside your VM, Virtual PC will attempt to "capture" your mouse pointer. Once it's inside the VM, you won't be able to move it out of the window without using a special key combination (Right-Alt, by default.) You probably will recieve an initial prompt about this. This mouse pointer capturing business is really annoying, especially for someone used to using VNC to remote control computers. Happily using some extras for VPC, we can stop the Right-Alt madness. More on that later. To get extra VPC features like sharing the mouse and folders between guest OS and host, start up your XP VM, and from the Action menu, choose "Install or Update Virtual Machine Additions" (the key command is Right-Alt-I). VPC will go through its paces and prompt you to reboot the XP VM. Once VM Additions are installed, you can move your mouse between your XP VM and Vista host without having to press Right-Alt to free the pointer. Additionally, you can share folders from the host PC to the VM. Check out the Settings area to do that, as pictured. And then thats it your finished!!!