Operating System in Operating System (Software Saturday)
Imagine the situation that you are running Windows Vista and need to run XP or even Linux. Well, you have two options before you, viz. install Linux or XP as a dual boot or run it within your Operating System as a virtual machine.
There are two free softwares available that achieve the second purpose, viz. Microsoft Virtual PC and Sun VirtualBox.
Microsoft Virtual PC
I have been using Microsoft Virtual PC for years now. It's built specifically for Windows and is optimized to run Windows itself. I've succeeded in installing Linux without the GUI.
It is a lot easier to configure and quick to work with. You can share folders, mount ISOs or choose a CD/DVD drive as your DVD drive etc. all with the click of a button.
Sun VirtualBox
VirtualBox has much better cross platform support and can be installed on a Windows, Linux and MacOSX. However, it is a bit more complicated to work with especially when trying out advanced stuff like sharing folders from the host operating system.
Which one should you choose? I suggest you give both a shot and see which fits the bill for you. However, if you are looking for a more cross platform solution, then VirtualBox is the choice. When it comes to ease of use, Virtual PC takes the cake.
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- Post Date :
- Saturday, Oct 11th, 2008 at 5:55 pm
- Category :
- Microsoft and Operating Systems and Saturday and Software and Techtites Daily and Windows
- Tags :
- Linux, Microsoft, operating system, PC, Software, VirtualBox, Vista, Windows
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You forgot to write about VMware fusion and Hyper-V biggest pieces of the virtual machine ecosystem.
@Vaibhav,
Hyper-V is for Windows Server 2008 and VMWare is a trial product. I was focussing on totally freeware programs.
OK great! Try Vmware Player:-
http://blogs.zdnet.com/BTL/?p=2060
http://www.vmware.com/products/player/
You wont be disappointed cuz its also free.
Had a look at it. You can't create virtual machines right? How do you run it then?
No friend I actually posted it as a mgmt tool for virtual machines not as a virtual machine itself. Anyways I first went to u r personal site and visited other links there then came here. Great site and great info. I am now a regular visitor of u r blog now. Take care and be assured we will have a lot of discussions,its just a beginning. Lots of good wishes.