how to set up a VM

[ELSknutson]

How do I set up a windows 7 Virtual machine in windows 10 ? I have CD keys for 7,8,8.1

[YedZed]

Get VMWare or VirtualBox. Then obtain the ISO copy of Windows. Then add the ISO image to VMWare or VBox virtual disk drives. Then boot up the machine.

[WWicket]

25 minutes ago, YedZed said:

Get VMWare or VirtualBox. Then obtain the ISO copy of Windows. Then add the ISO image to VMWare or VBox virtual disk drives. Then boot up the machine.

You can use the regular install media, rather than getting an image, also.

[YedZed]

Just now, WWicket said:

You can use the regular install media, rather than getting an image, also.

That's true, but it would be more complicated to connect the USB than to connect the ISO.

[WWicket]

5 minutes ago, YedZed said:

That's true, but it would be more complicated to connect the USB than to connect the ISO.

For sure-- just throwing it out there, as depending on the connection, downloading the ISO can be pretty time consuming and unnecessary if you already have the original install media.  

[YedZed]

Just now, WWicket said:

For sure-- just throwing it out there, as depending on the connection, downloading the ISO can be pretty time consuming and unnecessary if you already have the original install media.  

True.

[SierraKomodo]

On 6/11/2017 at 5:37 PM, YedZed said:

Get VMWare or VirtualBox. Then obtain the ISO copy of Windows. Then add the ISO image to VMWare or VBox virtual disk drives. Then boot up the machine.

Depending on the version of Windows 10 (Education, Enterprise, and Professional have this feature), you can forego the third party software and just use the built in hyper-v system. Here's a guide on enabling Hyper-v - Note that the bottom of the page has a link to a guide on setting up a VM: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/virtualization/hyper-v-on-windows/quick-start/enable-hyper-v

 

I use it myself for my test VMs (Primarily mine run linux), and haven't had any problems with it so far.