As you probably know, Microsoft released the much awaited Windows 7 operating system few hours back to public. The new operating system is very stable and also very fast.
In case, if you are not ready use it as primary OS for some reasons, you can still use this beautiful operating system with your present operating system (XP or Vista) using virtual applications like Microsoft Virtual PC 2007, Virtual Box, and VM Ware. Into Windows has already showed how to install Windows 7 on Microsoft Virtual PC (VPC) 2007.
In this guide, we will show you how to install Windows 7 on your XP or Vista using Virtual Box.
Steps to install Windows 7 on VirtualBox
1. First, you need to download Virtual Box (it’s free) and also Windows 7 RC (download Windows 7 RC).
2. Just follow the onscreen instructions to install Virtual Box (it’s very simple).
3. Run the Virtual Box program to see the Virtual Box Registration dialog. Here you can enter your name and e-mail if you wish. If you don’t like to provide your name and e-mail, just click Cancel button.
4. In Sun VirtualBox window, click on New button to launch the New Virtualization Machine Wizard.
5. Click Next and enter a name for the new virtual machine, select the type of the operating system as Microsoft Windows, and select the version as Windows 7. Click Next to proceed further.
6. Here you need to allocate the memory to the new (Windows 7) virtual machine. Depending on the amount of RAM installed on your system, you need to select the memory size. Since Microsoft recommends minimum of 1GB RAM for Windows 7, enter 1024 MB in the right-side box. Again, click Next.
7. On the following screen, you need to create a new hard disk by selecting Create new hard disk option. Clicking on Next button will open Create New Virtual Disk Wizard. Click Next. Select Dynamically expanding storage as this storage initially occupies a very small amount of space on your physical hard disk. It will grow dynamically (up to the size specified) as the Guest OS claims disk space.
Alternatively, you can also select Fixed-size storage. As the name indicates, fixed size storage doesn’t grow. Once again, click Next button.
8. Select the size of the virtual hard disk. By default 20 GB is allocated. Since Microsoft recommends 16 GB of free disk space for 32-bit & 20 GB for 64-bit Windows 7, let’s use the default 20 GB as the virtual disk size. However, you can change it if you don’t have enough free space. But make sure that you have allocated 16+ GB. Click Next and then Finish to finish virtual disk setup.
9. To begin the next step, make sure that you have downloaded Windows 7 RC ISO.
10. Select Windows 7 RC in the left pane, & click Settings to start configuring Windows 7 settings like RAM and disk space further.
11. Click Start button to begin Windows 7 RC installation on Virtual Box. You will see a message about the host key. Just read it carefully and click ok to see the First Run Wizard.
12. Select the media you would like to use for installation purpose. Select Image file option as media source as you are using Windows 7 ISO file to install. If you have Windows 7 DVD, select Host Drive letter as your DVD drive. Click Next and then finish to begin the installation procedure.
13. Windows 7 installation process will start in a few seconds. Just follow the onscreen instruction to finish the installation procedure.
14. You have now installed Windows 7 on VirtualBox. Have fun with Windows 7!
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kris says
it just says “could not read from boot medium” and “system halted”
shed says
I have installed windows professional on Virtual box and each time I turn it off and log back in, it ask me to reinstall everything again. I am frustrated because I have to reinstall it on Virtual box each time.
loy855 says
if i do this will my current local disk at my laptop be totally formatted?? pls reply..
Stefano says
I have got the error message ” The disk selected for installation (0) does not exist” too.
This apparently is due to the SATA disk controller which gets installed by default. Try switching to IDE: when the machine is not running you go to Machine->Settings->Storage, then remove the entire controller and create an IDE one.
Then you can re-attach the same disk image. It worked for me.
admin says
@ Joe
It’s legal as long as you install a genuine copy of Windows 7 in VirtualBox.
joe says
Is this legal? Is downloading Windows 7 via Virtual Box legal? Thanks in advance! :)
Himanshu says
thnks!!! i hv made it, but only one quetion we can use only specified part of external HDD, is there any way if i can use full external HDD.
Priti says
I keep getting error as this: The disk selected for installation (0) does not exist. Make sure the unattend answer file’s setting references a valid disk on this computer and then restart the installation.
Not sure why disk is not being created. Can you help?
admin says
^
Thanks for informing about the issue. Will try to speed up the loading time.
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admin says
No, installing Windows 7 or any other OS won’t format the local hard drive.
lol says
if i do this will my current local disk at my laptop be totally formatted?? pls reply..
dean says
it worked for me
Alex says
How can i boot with the USB stick ?
I want to boot Windows 7 using the USB Stick ?
When i followed the above method, the USB stick had no windows files…..
Can anyone suggest ?
vanger says
Hi!!! I install the windows 7 ultimate edition but when it start…. it doesn’t have sound…. how can i fix it???
amin says
can i have the image iso file plz a link
admin says
Follow this guide: intowindows.com/how-to-install-windows-7-to-usb-external-hard-drive-must-read/
Kan says
Hello, As you know many people are in search of ,how to install windows on Pen drive not using vmware virtual machine or other virtualbox .. i am looking for that if i can install my windows 7 os on usb instead of hardisk is there any way in short cuts for that or we need to give defrent codes? as hd is coded for all windows,,,, ~~???????????????
chad says
really? Windows..Stable?
Egidio says
can i boot from this usb pen drive? thanks
admin says
Aero Doesn’t work.:(
Hassaan says
Does Aero Transparency work with this. It doesn’t work with Virtual PC and VMWare.
Rob C says
I just tried to do this, using VB 2.2.2 (the current latest) and a fresh download from MS (which was called “7100.0.090421-1700_x86fre_client_en-us_retail_ultimate-grc1culfrer_en_dvd.iso”). The Windows installation did not proceed past asking for a CD/DVD driver, which I have no idea of what they’re asking for. Anyone else have this problem?
– rob