Windows 7 Exploring Virtual Machines: Benefits for Learning and Easy Removal

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Peterr

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Mar 31, 2011
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Hello
Win 7 home premium, i5,1T 3.30 GHz

Why would you want to use a VM?
I tinker a lot and was told I could just delete the VM if I had trouble.
Would this VM help one who explores and tinkers to learn and can the VM be removed?
Thank you for your help.
Peter
 
Solution

Installing in a VM is just like installing on a hard disk, you MUST have a valid key to activate the OS.
With VMWARE once it is installed and a VM is completed there are drivers (free) from them that you load they are called guest additions.
The only free OS you...
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You can delete the VM when ever you like. It basicly keeps whatever you are doing isolated from your actual PC to prevent destroying your OS.
I use Oracle VM box, but there is also VMware.
 
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Thank you very much for the information;I'll give it a try so I can continue to explore and learn wihout damage to my o.s.
 
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You don't mention what version of 7 you're using but I have 7 Home Premium without Microsoft's VM. I'm using VMWare so I can have XP available with all the software that 7 doesn't support anymore. My CCreator, my phone for ebooks, my Casio camera for pictures, etc.

Without VMWare I would need another computer that has XP OS on it. I have two computers in one. Win 7 and XP. Best of both worlds.
 
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>>I see. So after you install any VM you still have to install drivers etc then the os you wish to use.
I though one of the VMs had drivers installed but may be wrong.
 
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I have my own copy of XP. After I installed VMWare I opened it and installed XP complete. I then installed my copy of Microsoft Office, Calendar Creator, Kyocera software for loading ebooks, etc. and my Casio camera software. None of which was W7 compatible; only up to XP.

You can add whatever software you want to your new XP OS under VMWare. Download and install VMWare and take a tour. Good luck.
 
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>>Could I install the Oracle virtual box then install the current os(Win 7x64) so that if I made an error I could just remove it?
I have the key for the originaal os and the disc.I have no keys for xp.
 
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What I have done is, using a docking station and a spare HDD, cloned my W7 SSD, complete, to my HDD using EaseUS ToDo software. This way, if something goes wrong I can clone back from the HDD to my SSD and restore my W7 in its' entirety.
 
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Rus said:
What I have done is, using a docking station and a spare HDD, cloned my W7 SSD, complete, to my HDD using EaseUS ToDo software. This way, if something goes wrong I can clone back from the HDD to my SSD and restore my W7 in its' entirety.
Click to expand...

>>That is more than I can do -good for you.
I have an image on my Hard drive via Acronis in case. Two removable media hold my data.

I understand you need a key to install your own Win 7 into the VM and was wondering if there is any VM like the xp one that does require a key.
I do not know how to get a key.
I do have the os for Win 7 but not for xp. Does that mean I can not use any os with any VM without a key? The only key I have is for Office so I know how to use one.
 
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Rus said:
My laptop has my Win 7 Key on the bottom.
Click to expand...

Thank you very much for pointing that out to me. I know MS won't let you install your own os in the VM but I gave my neighbor my xp so maybe I can use that key and disc to do this.
 
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Installing in a VM is just like installing on a hard disk, you MUST have a valid key to activate the OS.
With VMWARE once it is installed and a VM is completed there are drivers (free) from them that you load they are called guest additions.
The only free OS you could install would be a Linix version such as UBUNTU.
 
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Solution

>>If I have an old xp disc, could i use it to install in a VM?
 
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Yes as long as you have the key. You will be asked to activate it. Choose over the Internet and it will go fast.
 
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Rus said:
Yes as long as you have the key. You will be asked to activate it. Choose over the Internet and it will go fast.
Click to expand...

I bought preloaded Dell XP years ago and do not remember getting a key with the disc.
Would the key be on the pc itself(OEM) or where?
 
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