Top 10 Questions About Virtual PC 7

1. What is Virtual PC 7 for Mac?

Virtual PC is an emulation program that creates a separate Windows environment on the Mac desktop. Through some sophisticated software trickery, Virtual PC creates a "virtual machine" that runs right on your Mac. This virtual machine is much like a real computer — you can install an operating system on it, such as Windows XP, and you can install programs, such as Microsoft Access or Visio — all it lacks is actual hardware. The virtual machine appears in its own window on your Mac and you can switch easily between programs on your virtual machine and programs on your Mac.

2. Who should use it?

Virtual PC is for Macintosh users who sometimes need access to Windows-only programs such as Microsoft Visio, Microsoft Publisher, or Microsoft Access. By using Virtual PC you can have access to such programs without buying a new computer or giving up your Mac. Virtual PC also provides access to peripheral devices you might not be able to use otherwise, such as printers or scanners that don't run on the Mac.

3. What Macs does Virtual PC 7 run on?

Virtual PC 7 runs best on faster computers with plenty of memory, including G5 Macs. Your 700 MHz native (minimum) PowerPC G3, G4, or G5 Mac must be running Mac OS 10.2.8 - 10.4 and have at least 512 MB of RAM installed.

4. What operating systems can I run with on my virtual machine?

Virtual PC 7 comes with your choice of the following supported operating systems: Windows XP Professional, Windows XP Home Edition, and Windows 2000 Professional. Note If you install an unsupported operating system, such as Windows 98, some features do not work. For example, Virtual Machine Additions cannot be installed on a virtual machine that is running on a non-supported operating system.

5. Can I keep my existing virtual machine when I upgrade to Virtual PC 7?

The answer depends on your current configuration. If you have Virtual PC 5.x or 6.x running a supported operating system, the answer is yes — you can install Virtual PC 7, and then import your existing virtual machine. If your existing virtual machine is running an unsupported operating system, you might be able to transfer documents to your new virtual machine.

6. Can I transfer information between platforms?

Yes. Here are three ways to do it:
Drag files To quickly copy a file between your Mac and your virtual machine, just drag the file where you want it.
Copy and paste Suppose you need to copy data from an Access database to an Excel worksheet on your Mac. First, open the Access file on your virtual machine and copy the information. Then switch to Excel for Mac, and paste. For details, see Copy and paste between your Mac and a virtual machine.
Share folders You can make a Mac folder and its contents available on your virtual machine. That way, changes you make to a file while working on one platform are reflected when you open the file on the other platform. For details, see Share files between your Mac and your virtual machine.

7. Can I use PC peripherals such as printers and scanners?

Yes. You can use the peripherals that you normally use with your Mac, or you can attach peripherals that can only be used with Windows-based PCs. For example, suppose you have a scanner that only works in a Windows-based environment. Simply switch to your virtual machine, connect the scanner and install its Windows-based driver, and you're ready to scan.

8. What's the difference between Virtual PC for Mac and Remote Desktop Connection Client (RDC) for Mac?

Both of these products are useful for people who sometimes need to access PC software from their Macintosh computers. But there are important differences.
Virtual PC allows you to run Windows-based programs directly on your Mac. You can create a virtual machine and then install Windows-based software on that machine.
RDC allows you to connect from your Mac to a Windows-based computer and work with programs and files on that computer. Learn more about Remote Desktop Connection Client.

9. What are Virtual Machine Additions?

Virtual Machine Additions help integrate a virtual machine with your Macintosh. For example, Virtual Machine Additions provide the ability to move the mouse freely between a virtual machine window and your Mac desktop, share folders between platforms, and display Windows-based program icons on the Macintosh Dock. Note If you install a version of Microsoft Windows that is included with Microsoft Virtual PC 7, Virtual Machine Additions are automatically installed on your virtual machine. If not, you must install (for a new virtual machine) or update (for a virtual machine that has been imported) Virtual Machine Additions. To learn how to do this, search Virtual PC Help for Virtual Machine Additions.

10. Does Virtual PC make my Mac more vulnerable to computer viruses?

Windows running on a virtual machine is less susceptible to viruses than Windows running on a PC. It is unlikely that a virus will affect the Mac OS or Mac files, but in certain circumstances your virtual machine running Windows exposes you to the same security risks that users running Windows on a Windows-based computer face. To lower your risk, make sure you have always installed the latest Windows security patches and service releases. To learn how to keep Windows up-to-date, search Virtual PC Help for Windows updates.