Microsoft’s Virtual PC is included on Windows 7 and is a free install for Windows Vista and Windows XP. This software allows for the running of other operating system within your windows desktop. The operating systems come as a virtual image stored on a VHD file. Microsoft uses this tool to promote some of its operating system and software by providing trial VHD image files you can use with Virtual PC.
They also provide VHD image files for its different versions of Internet Explorer 6,7, and 8. This allows you to test websites using all three releases from your desktop. They also come in versions with Windows XP and Vista operating system. To download these images, visit this page. These desktop IE images can also be used to install other software you want to try out. The only gotcha with these VHD images are they expire. When they do, you can only run the image up to an hour before it is shutdown. You can then start it up again for another hour of use. When evaluating software, one hour is often enough time.
Troubleshooting
Virtual PC – “add or remove program has been restricted” – Tip to fix http://www.computing.net/answers/windows-2000/admin-restricted-to-add-programs/62185.html – HK current user -> Software -> Microsoft -> Windows – > Current Version -> Policies. – Deleted the UNINSTALL NoAddRemovePrograms
Additional References
- Run IT on a Virtual Hard Disk – Test Drive Program
- Internet Explorer Application Compatibility VPC Image
- How to Create a Boot VHD Step By Step
- Virtual PC Introduction – Virtual Hard Disks – how to create a Virtual Image for Windows 98
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Setting up your own free Virtualized test environment 26 August 2010 by Sean Duffy
[...] tested this image before burning it on a CD by starting up Virtual PC on Windows XP Professional. Then I followed the instructions from this article but used the Windows [...]
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