How to Install Windows 95 on a Virtual PC
Microsoft Virtual PC is a free utility for Windows users that allows you to run a separate operating system inside a window on the Windows desktop. One of the benefits of using Microsoft Virtual PC is that it allows your computer to run software designed for older versions of Windows, such as Windows 95. If you have an old game or utility that does not run on modern versions of Windows, you can create a Windows 95 virtual PC to use the software.
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Instructions
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Setting Up the Virtual PC
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Download and install Microsoft Virtual PC. Virtual PC is available at the Microsoft website. Launch Virtual PC after installing it.
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Click the "New" button in the Virtual PC Console window. The New Virtual Machine Wizard appears. Click "Next."
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Select "Create a virtual machine" on the list of items, and then click "Next."
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Type a name, such as "Windows 95," that you can use to identify the virtual machine and click "Next."
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Click the drop-down menu under "Operating System" and select "Windows 95." The Virtual PC utility suggests computer settings that are appropriate for a computer from the 1990s. Click "Next" twice.
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Select "A new virtual hard disk," and then click "Next."
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Type the amount of space in megabytes that you would like Microsoft Virtual PC to devote to the hard drive of the Windows 95 virtual PC. The utility automatically suggests a hard drive size appropriate for the operating system. Click "Next," then click "Finish."
Installing Windows 95 on the Virtual PC
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Insert the Windows 95 installation CD and double click the Windows 95 virtual PC. The virtual PC opens in a new window and attempts to start up.
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Click the "CD" drop-down at the top of the virtual PC window, then click the letter of the drive you have inserted the Windows 95 disc into.
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Click the "Action" drop-down, and then select "Reset." The virtual PC restarts and uses the Windows 95 CD to boot. When this process is complete, you should see a blue screen with "Microsoft Windows 95 Setup" at the top. Press the "Enter" key.
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Select "Configure unallocated disk space" from the menu using the keyboard arrow keys, and then press "Enter" twice. The virtual PC restarts and formats the virtual hard drive.
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Press "Enter" again to have the setup utility perform a routine check of the system. After a few seconds, the virtual PC will change to display the graphical portion of the Windows 95 installation. At this point, the mouse pointer becomes active. Click on "Continue."
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Read the items outlined in the software license agreement for Windows 95. Click "Yes" to accept the agreement and continue the installation, then click "Next" twice.
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Select the type of Windows 95 installation that you want to perform. In most cases, you should select "Typical." If you find that software you want to use requires an optional component of Windows 95 that you elected not to install, you can install it later. Click "Next."
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Enter your serial number for Windows 95 exactly as it is shown on the product packaging, including the dashes between groups of numbers. Click "Next."
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Type your name and the name of the organization you work for if you are installing Windows 95 on a business computer. Click "Next."
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If you would like the virtual PC to utilize the network and sound cards installed in your computer, select the appropriate check boxes and then click "Next." Windows 95 detects this hardware and installs the required drivers.
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Use the check boxes displayed to indicate whether you would like Windows 95 to install optional communication components such as Microsoft Mail and Microsoft Fax. Click "Next."
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Select "Show me the list of components so I can choose" if you would like to install any additional optional components of Windows 95. Alternatively, select "Install the most common components" and then click "Next."
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Select "No, I do not want a startup disk" and then click "Next" twice. Windows 95 begins copying the operating system from the installation disc to the virtual hard drive.
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Click the "Finish" button when Windows 95 is finished copying files to your computer. The virtual PC restarts. If you see the blue "Microsoft Windows 95 Setup" screen again, click the "CD" drop-down, and then click "Eject." Restart the virtual PC again. When the computer restarts, Windows 95 asks a few additional questions about your region and time settings. After this, the virtual PC is ready to use.
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Tips & Warnings
Rather than installing Windows 95 on the virtual PC from the original installation CD, you can use a copy of the disc in the ISO format. To begin installing, click the "CD" drop-down at the top of the virtual PC window, and then click "Capture ISO image."
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