Virtual Machine solution for Windows 7

[gmj]

Hi all.

 

Currently we use Microsoft Virtual PC 2007 on our CC4 network (XP workstations) for students to use for programming. All has been well with this. We are rolling over to Windows 7 in the summer holiday, and Virtual PC 2007 still seems to work ok. However, I have now been asked if the virtual machines can have access to a USB memory stick when plugged into the local workstation...which VPC 2007 seems not to support. Boo. Have downloaded the newer version of Virtual PC for Windows 7, but seems not to be showing on my machine when installed, even after installing the XP mode package from the Microsoft site.

 

What does everyone else use for this? To have a virtual machine that can access a USB stick? Just wondering if I should use something else rather than Microsoft VPC...as already if it needs the XP mode installed as well the RM package is going to get rather large.

 

Would something like Oracle Virtual Box be a better bet?

 

Thanks,

 

GMJ

[zag]

We use Virtual box and it can do USB sticks.

 

Seems to work fine.

[Rawns]

Another +1 for VirtualBox here. We use them for testing and training and it's an awesome application!

[sted]

xp mode installs per user so if fred installs it he gets the shortcuts and dave/john etc wont see them (its not a big obstacle to get round ) as above though id use virtualbox its free and works though im not sure of the licensing implications as iirc 7pro/ent allows 1xp vm but i seem to recall thats only if you use xpmode

[gmj]

Thanks for all the feedback everyone .

 

I thinking its going to be Virtualbox...had a quick play with it before lunch and seems like it will be the one.

[bwestlake]

we use virtual box here, however it may be worth looking into deepfreeze or equilivant just incase they change windows settings / passwords ect...

[EvLPhenom]

We use virtualbox, @bwestlake we set the drives on the virtual machine to immutable so that they can't make any permanent changes to the VM

[gmj]

Thanks for all the help

[Chris_]

I believe RM have a Blueprint for Virtualbox also. There's been quite a bit of talk on the Communities about it recently.

[gmj]

Oh! Just built a test package for it, but forgot to install the "gues additions" to allow USB drives and what not. *runs along to RM's site*