How to Install Virtual Machine Additions Using Virtual PC 2007
Virtual Machine Additions allow you to extend the capability of Microsoft’s Virtual PC software (capabilities listed at the end of the article), however installing these additions can be a little confusing so I decided to post the instructions to install the Virtual Machine Additions for reference. If you have any comments or questions, please post them below.
Note: I used Virtual PC 2007 using Windows Vista with a Windows XP Virtual Machine.
The instructions below are very similar when using an Ubuntu (linux) and other versions of Windows operating systems.
1. While you are running one of your virtual machines, click on Action
2. Then click on Install or Update Virtual Machine Additions (or hit Right Alt + I)
3. You will be prompted with the window above which states that a CD image will be inserted in the Virtual Drive, the CD-ROM contains the installation files for the Virtual Machine Additions. Click Continue so that the virtual CD-ROM is loaded.
4. The installation will be started in your Virtual PC, click Next to proceed.
Installation of Virtual Machine Additions…
5. Once Setup is complete, click Finish.
6. Click Yes to restart your Virtual Machine.
Features Available with Virtual Machine Additions
Improved mouse cursor tracking and control
Greatly improved overall performance.
Virtual machine heartbeat generator.
Optional time synchronization with the clock of the physical computer.
Folder sharing between host and guest operating system.
To download Virtual PC 2007 use the following link from Microsoft.
More information on Virtual Machine Additions can be found on Microsoft’s Technet website
Many Thanks. You make work more easilier.
@Kathy – Thank you for the positive feedback. Hope to see you back here soon!
Thanks a lot! It was really big help.:)
@Arjun – You are welcome.
Thank you!!
Thanx a lot man! It was so easy to do… Great contribution!
@ddw: I think I have your reason. I just attempted to accomplish the same with an Ubuntu VPC and it did not work. If you take a look at the contents of the image the folders are titled as follows; dos, os2, windows – nothing for linux or so it seems. Hope this helps. If you do find a solution please post it below. Thanks.
I’m running Fedora 11 within VPC 2007 on WinXP and trying to follow your instructions, but step 3 fails — Fedora thinks the virtual CD is blank.
Without this, I can’t share a folder from the virtual Fedora to WinXP.
Any ideas?
Thanks a ton!!!
I was strugging for more than hour and the solution was right there above the screen!
Why does not Microsoft makes life easier on their help files??
@Yukti: I’m glad you find my guides useful, you are correct sometimes Microsoft fails to simplify things. Do you have any ideas for Virtual PC guides that would be useful? Would love to hear your input. Thanks for visiting.
thanks a lot .. it was a big help
Right said. better than MS help files.Thanks Gilberto !
@prasad: I really appreciate the positive feedback. I look forward to seeing you here more often.
Thank you very much! Very useful indeed, much more useful than Microsoft’s convoluted help files.
@dalbaeb: Thank you for the kind words. It’s always encouraging when someone appreciates my work. Hope to see you back here soon.