Virtualbox questions


  1. Posts : 27
    Windows 10, 64 Bit, Build 20H2
       #1

    Virtualbox questions


    I'm currently rebuilding my system and would like to explore some options with virtualbox.

    When I install win10, I would like to have a virtual install of Windows 7 using virtualbox. How large is the Vb-Win7 install? Could I have VB-win7 running on a USB/other HD as opposed to main HD? Are there any known issues with Win7 running inside VB? Will there be any system or file conflicts with running win7 VB from Win10?

    Thanks in advance.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 11,247
    Windows / Linux : Arch Linux
       #2

    Hi there

    @Graham9

    While I prefer (in general) VMWare to Vbox there should be no problem running a W7 VM from any device you like on VBOX or otherwise and it shouldn't have any interference with your current Host.

    If you've got a spare SSD then why not have the VM on an external SSD -- connect via USB->SATA connector to your machine. On an SSD performance will be hugely enhanced. Your VM's can be stored on any accessible device(s) available to your system including Network shares if you want.

    There's no problems running multiple VM's at the same time either -- provided you have enough RAM.

    Here (although on a Linux Host) I'm running a Win2K19 Server and an XP system both as Virtual Machines.

    You can see how tiny the amount of CPU is being used -- these days VM's are very efficient (or can be) provided you don't go bonkers and run too many tasks on them concurrently.

    (Although on Linux as KVM/QEMU the same sort of thing should be observable on a W10 Host with VBOX / VMWare although these won't by nature of the virtualisation system used be quite so efficient - but still will be perfectly acceptable).

    Virtualbox questions-screenshot_20210611_091043.png

    Cheers
    jimbo
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 42,734
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #3

    How large is the Vb-Win7 install?
    To give an idea with XP (Win 7 will be larger):
    Virtualbox questions-1.jpgVirtualbox questions-2.pngVirtualbox questions-3.png
      My Computers


  4. Posts : 11,247
    Windows / Linux : Arch Linux
       #4

    Hi there
    @Graham9

    I assume you meant how big is the W7 VM after installation !!!!! not the size of the program needed to run the install !!!

    Here's a VMWare workstation Windows 7 Ultimate running (You can run VMWare/VBOX and KVM/QEMU VM's concurrently on Linux) with Office 2019 installed on it.

    Very important though after installing W7 - FROM WITHIN THE VM after ist boot of the OS - run install / update vmware tools if running on vmware or vbox additions if running on vbox. These will install proper video drivers , audio drivers, mouse / keyboard control and give better network stability.


    To share files with W10 and W7 you will need to enable SMB1 on your W10 Host.

    W7 size here is after Office install etc around 30 GB - I allocated 60 GB for the W7 target VM.


    Virtualbox questions-screenshot_20210611_110042.png

    Network shares fine and here's size of "C" drive used in the VM.

    Virtualbox questions-screenshot_20210611_111008.png

    Also if you are on a Linux Host - to get 3D and hardware accelerated graphics (at least in VMWare -- might be similar in VBOX - just don't know) edit the .vmx configuration file to add this line : mks.enable3d = "TRUE"

    Cheers
    jimbo
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 27
    Windows 10, 64 Bit, Build 20H2
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Thanks to everyone for the info. Something to think about when I rebuild my system.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 15,441
    Windows10
       #6

    You do know you need a licence to run W7 in a virtual machine? Unlike W10, it will not run indefinitely.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 11,247
    Windows / Linux : Arch Linux
       #7

    Hi there
    It will run for 30 days before activation is forceably required so if messing around on a VM get W7 into the state you need it before activating it.

    Remember also now end of support is reached activation servers don't always work properly so you might have to do it by phone which is why I'd suggest don't activate the W7 prematurely as you don't want to have to do it again.

    Cheers
    jimbo
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 27
    Windows 10, 64 Bit, Build 20H2
    Thread Starter
       #8

    Thanks again. My win7 disc is legit and been activated. I was using it until my mobo died recently, and duel booting it with Win10. If I can run win7 inside win10 using VB, then I can rebuild my system without extra HD's and hardware. ATM I'm just exploring options and alternatives.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 11,247
    Windows / Linux : Arch Linux
       #9

    Graham9 said:
    Thanks again. My win7 disc is legit and been activated. I was using it until my mobo died recently, and duel booting it with Win10. If I can run win7 inside win10 using VB, then I can rebuild my system without extra HD's and hardware. ATM I'm just exploring options and alternatives.
    Hi there
    @Graham9

    On a VM it will still have to be re-activated as it's "a different machine with different hardware" - but that's not normally a problem - if you have to activate by phone simply say your hardware died and you had to move to a new system - shouldn't be any problem again with that,

    You shouldn't get into a hassle from Ms saying can you switch to W10 - that's none of their business - but if you get a real ignoreamus onn the phone just say you need to continue to run legacy apps which will only run on W7.

    Cheers
    and enjoy the weekend --if you like footie the Euros are fun !!!

    jimbo
      My Computer


 

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