How to install Windows 7 on a virtual machine: step-by-step instruction

Virtual machines today, more than ever, are in demand with completely different groups of users of computer systems. Actually, the Windows operating system does not lose popularity, which many users want to use on their terminals in parallel with the main OS. Let's see how to install Windows 7 on a virtual machine in the simplest way. As a basis, take the software package WM VirtualBox, which is not only one of the powerful, but also one of the easiest to understand the general principles of work.

What is a virtual machine?

If one does not know, the software in the form of a virtual machine is nothing more than an emulator of a computer system with hardware installed in it, an operating system and user programs.

In fact, a virtual machine with Windows 7 installed is like a copy of a really (physically) existing computer with a "seven" on board, but only at the program level, and does not differ in any way from the present terminal. In such a virtual system, you can install programs and applications, test equipment, emulate the operation of web servers, and so on.

As a rule, all the processes connected with the installation of the software itself, and then the operating system, do not cause complications, however, considering the requirements of the "seven", it is still worthwhile to give some recommendations on the implementation of all steps of this process.

Virtual Machine for Windows 7: Installing WM VirtualBox

So, let's get started. As is already clear, first we need to install a virtual machine into an existing operating system. We proceed from using the WM VirtualBox package.

Note that in this case the question will not be considered how to install the virtual machine on Windows 7, but how to put the "seven" on the machine. Indeed, why should we emulate its work, if it is already installed as the main system?

First we need to download the latest version of the program. You can do this either on the official website, or find it on the Internet. In any case, the application is free, so there will not be any problems with some "cracked" versions.

Run the installation file and follow the instructions. Here everything is as usual: we agree with licensed use and we constantly press the "Next" button until we reach the confirmation of the installation. There is one nuance. The matter is that after pressing the button Install for some time the connection will be disconnected, access to the Internet will be lost. No need to panic, it's normal.

Next, there will be windows asking you to install the software for some devices. Everywhere we agree. In the last window, the field with the checkbox next to the line of the immediate creation of the virtual machine will be displayed. If you want to proceed to these actions, we leave everything unchanged. If the virtual machine is created later, uncheck the box and click the Finish button.

How to install Windows 7 on a virtual machine: Preliminary parameter selection

All. The main program is installed. The next stage will be the creation of a new machine, to which the "seven" will subsequently be placed.

To do this, use the corresponding button in the running program, then click the continuation button in the start window of the "Wizard". Now you need to select several basic parameters. Specify the type of "operating system" Microsoft Windows and choose the version of Windows 7.

Now one of the most crucial moments is choosing the amount of RAM. Note that it will be allocated from the total amount installed on the computer, so when the child OS is running, it will be reduced to the main one. It is not recommended to set the size to less than 512 MB (better than 1 GB or more) and more than half of the total available size, otherwise the main system will not just slow down, but it may even refuse to work.

The next step is to create a virtual disk. In a similar "Wizard" it is recommended that you select a dynamically expandable disk (Dynamically Allocated) and name it. The save location and size will be specified by default, but you can change these settings, for example, use a non-system partition with the "operating system" installed, and another logical partition. The program suggests using a size of 20 GB. This parameter can be left unchanged, but if you decide to change it, it is recommended not to use a size less than 15 GB (this is due to the requirements of the "seven" itself).

Then you need to click the "Finish" button and see the results. If everything is done correctly, the screen will display all the information concerning the created machine. At this time, we will stop.

Creating a boot disk (or system image)

If you consider how to install Windows 7 on a virtual machine, you should remember that it should be installed from the disk. There are two options: either the original installation disk (or its copy) will be used, or the installation will be performed from the image.

In principle, when an dynamically expanded disk is created at an early stage, it is better to choose the boot image of the system. You can create it from the original DVD quite simply in programs like UltraISO, Daemon Tools, Nero, etc. and save directly on the hard drive. To stop in detail on this sense is not present.

Presetting a Virtual Machine

Now, before proceeding directly to the installation of a child OS (in our case Windows 7), the virtual machine needs to be configured.

To do this, use the property button. In the menu, first set the video memory size for the display (at least 26 MB) and enable the acceleration of 2D and 3D.

Then, in the media section, depending on how the "operating system" is written, select the DVD-ROM icon for the optical media with the original (after which we insert the disc in the drive) or the folder icon to specify the location of the .iso image (after that, the line will appear With reference to the image). The settings for audio, network, COM ports and public folders can be set unchanged.

Now the main application window appears again, where you should click the "Start" button. If an information message appears, agree, then click on the virtual machine screen and in the pop-up window select the "capture" command.

Installation of the "seven"

Only now we put Windows 7 on the virtual machine VirtualBox. In principle, the process of installing the "seven" is absolutely no different about how if this procedure was performed on a real computer. You just need to follow the instructions of the installer. Depending on the configuration, the process can take up to 20-30 minutes. At the end of the process, we get a virtual computer with a "seven", no different from the usual terminal.

Working with add-ons

Separately, it should be noted that the question of how to install Windows 7 on a virtual machine can not do without an understanding of some of the nuances that many users often do not pay attention to. The problem is that the included virtual machine blocks the use of the keyboard and mouse in the main system. In addition, the clipboard for the hosting and child OS will not work at the same time. That is, it is impossible to copy data in the main application running on the main system and insert them into the program on the virtual machine.

To prevent this from happening, you just need to go to the Add-ons section, then click on the VBoxWIndowsAdditions.exe line in the autorun window and install the program.

Conclusion

So we figured out how to install and work with the virtual machine WM VirtualBox. As you can see, nothing particularly complicated here. In addition, in most cases, the average user does not have to manually select the parameters, since the "Master" initially monitors the configuration of the main system and offers the optimal settings.

Well, how expedient and justified is the use of a subsidiary OS in the form of a "seven", already depends only on what tasks the user himself is entrusting to him. By the way, if you notice, in this case, you can even not include support for virtual technology in the BIOS settings. They are used mainly only when you use the native Hyper-V hypervisor (for its operation or for selecting the bootable OS). But in our case this is not required.