How can I get windows 7 Virtual machines on windows 10 laptop?

[ixiu]

How can I download windows 7 virtual machine on my windows 10 laptop.

Details :
HP pavilion great series
i5-2430M CPU @2.4GHz
6GB RAM
64Bit OS

Windows 10 Home addition (I think I have a code for windows 10 professional, willing to upgrade if I have to)

[Avacee]

Microsoft's Hyper-V requires the Pro/Enterprise/etc version on Windows 10.

However, VirtualBox (free) and VMWare (££), to name 2 of the most commons options among many, do work on W10 Home.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_platform_virtualization_software

Note: There is usually a setting in the BIOS to enable/disable virtualisation support.
Your manual will have instructions on how to check if your BIOS supports this and how to set it.

[fable]

You need to install VirtualBox  and use it to create a virtual machine

[amspire]

Installing Windows 7 (or any other operating system) in Virtualbox is actually surprisingly easy. You do not need Windows Pro.

The best idea is to make an ISO of the Windows 7 install disk, but you can install it straight from a CD. Basically the way is works is you create a new virtual machine and tell the wizard you want to install Windows 7 64 bit (or whatever you want). Make the virtual drive big enough - if you make it 60G but Windows 7 only needs 20G, the virtual drive - at least initially- will only use 20G of space.

On the first boot, you point the CD drive at either the Windows 7 ISO file or the real Windows 7 CD in the CD drive. A window will pop up and you just install Win7 as usual. You can take snapshots and they are your friend. Before you enter the license key or activate, do all the updates, close it and take a snapshot. You can always return to that snapshot, no matter how you mess up your VM subsequently.

[ixiu]

Hi amspire
Thanks for the help. Could you expand on Making a windows 7 ISO. Will I need to buy a windows 7 installation disk? I only need the VM for a month.. I need to use a software that's not compatible with windows 10 to do my dissertation.

[danadak]

Google "windows 7 iso", a number of sites to download from.

You will need a legit key to activate it.


Regards, Dana.

[ixiu]

 Could i get a trial version for just a few days?

[amspire]

Hi amspire
Thanks for the help. Could you expand on Making a windows 7 ISO. Will I need to buy a windows 7 installation disk? I only need the VM for a month.. I need to use a software that's not compatible with windows 10 to do my dissertation.

Microsoft used to have the Windows 7 ISO's available for direct download from the digitalriver.com website, but they killed it with the release of Windows 8.

However, you can get the same files from http://mirror.corenoc.de/digitalrivercontent.net/ . These are torrent files, so you will need uTorrent or similar.

I would go for the file X17-59186.iso which is also en_windows_7_professional_with_sp1_x64_dvd_u_676939.iso.

You can keep Windows 7 running for a few months without a key or activation. It will initially have either 3 days or 30 days before activation is required, but open a command (cmd) window with Administrator permissions and run this command

SLMGR /rearm

This command will give you another 30 days. You can run this 3 times so you can get 120 days without activation.

This command is documented by Microsoft and is intended for trial versions of Windows. There are no illegal hacks involved.

[ixiu]

Thanks alot for everything all. Really appreciate it!

[Avacee]

https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/software-download/windows7

https://developer.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-edge/tools/vms/
You can even select VirtualBox as the image option

[amspire]

https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/software-download/windows7

https://developer.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-edge/tools/vms/
You can even select VirtualBox as the image option

I haven't seen the second link before - are they full 32bit Win 7 installations, or a cutdown Win7 that is just enough to run the Edge browser? Could be useful though.

I think your first link only works if you have a retail windows 7 license key. Most people only have OEM keys that will not work.

[ixiu]

Hi Avacee
Which VM do I select to get windows7 VM on windows 10? So I can run a software in the window 7 VM
(sorry I'm a rookie)

[amspire]

https://www.virtualbox.org is the program you want.

There will be lots of Youtube videos on how to install Windows 7

[RoGeorge]

However, VirtualBox (free) and VMWare (££)

VMWare Workstation Player is also free for non-comercial use. It can run or create unlimited number of machines.
https://www.vmware.com/products/workstation-player/workstation-player-evaluation.html

VMWare Workstation Pro is not free.

[ixiu]

Just to clarify I will still need windows 7 product key and ISO for VMware player?

[amspire]

Just to clarify I will still need windows 7 product key and ISO for VMware player?

Not for 120 days use. Skip the key entry when installing.

[amspire]

I have just sent a screenshot of the installation step where it asks for a key. This is in Virtualbox, but it will be identical in VMWare.  Leave this blank and press Skip down the bottom.

Don't try and activate Windows at all. Untick the box that says "Activate Online" 

If Windows starts to say you have 1 day left to activate, run the rearm command I described above.

[ixiu]

Okay thanks lot for all this