How do I Install Windows 98 on Virtual PC With XP Machines?

Virtual PC allows you to run an older operating system from inside Windows XP.

Microsoft's Virtual PC software allows you to run a different operating system inside your existing Windows installation. While the newest version of Virtual PC is only available for users running Windows 7, Virtual PC 2007 works on Windows XP as well, and is available as a free download from the Microsoft Website. With a copy of Windows 98, you can install the older operating system without interfering with XP.

Things You'll Need

• Computer running Windows XP
• Virtual PC 2007
• Windows 98 install disc or image file

Instructions

1. Download the Virtual PC 2007 install files from Microsoft's website (see Resources). Run the file and follow the installation instructions to place the software on your hard drive.

2. Open the program with the Microsoft Virtual PC item in XP's Start menu. In the New Virtual Machine Wizard window, click "Next."

3. Keep the selection on "Create a virtual machine" and click "Next" again.

4. Type a name for your Windows 98 virtual machine and click "Browse" to choose a location on your hard drive to store the machine. Windows 98 may require up to 355MB of hard drive space, and additional space for new programs and files. The installation will not complete successfully if you choose a storage drive with less space. Click "Next" to continue.

5. Choose "Windows 98" from the drop-down menu and click "Next." Other selections may function correctly with a Windows 98 installation, but may tax your computer more, or use less-than-optimal settings.

6. Unless you have a specific task in mind that will require additional RAM, keep the selection on "Using the recommended RAM" and click "Next."

7. Select "A new virtual hard disc" and click "Next." This creates a repository for all installation files, programs and documents you use on the virtual machine within your existing hard drive space. Choose the size and location of this repository and click "Next" again.

8. Click "Finish" to create the machine. Select the virtual machine from the list and click "Start."

9. When the "Insert Boot Media in selected Boot device" message appears, insert the Windows 98 installation disc and press "Enter." If you wish to install Windows 98 from an ISO image, drag the ISO file into the small CD icon in the bottom pane of the virtual machine, then press "Enter."

10. Follow the instructions on the installation CD to finish the Windows 98 installation. Do not interrupt the process, or the installation may be damaged and you must start the process over.

References

• Windows Virtual PC Support: Virtual PC 2007
• Microsoft Support: Minimum Hardware Requirements for a Windows 98 Installation
• "Virtual PC Help": Usee a startup CD or ISO file to install an operating system
• Microsoft: "Virtual PC 2007"

Resources

• Microsoft Download Center: Microsoft Virtual PC 2007 SP1