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Notice please:
This tutorial was written when we were still using first beta versions of Virtual PC and XP mode. This method
to copy a VPC virtual machine was the most practical at that time. It still is a fully working and secure way
to copy a virtual machine.
Kari
Today, with the current version of VPC and XP Mode, copying a virtual machine is much easier. Basically, all
you have to do is to copy a vhd-file to another location on same computer and create a new virtual machine
using an existing vhd as told here.
Kari
November 2010
Information
This tutorial will show how to make a working copy of a Virtual XP Machine. Same priciple can also be used
to make a copy of any Virtual PC virtual hard disk.
By default, XP Mode virtual machine consists of five files when installed and run first time, plus two additional
files if XP Mode is hibernated or the Undo Disk feature is enabled. The file names, extensions and default
locations are:
Tutorial Tools
Printable Version
Windows XP Mode.vmcx
Virtual Machine description and registration settings
default location C:\Users\Your_Username\Virtual Machines
Windows XP Mode.vhd
Virtual Machine virtual hard drive image
default location C:\Users\Your_Username\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Virtual PC\Virtual
Machines
Windows XP Mode.vmc
Virtual Machine settings file
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Copying Virtual XP or any other virtual hard disk created with Virtual PC is very easy and fast. Here's what you
have to do:
1. Turn off your Virtual XP, do not hibernate it
2. Open Folder Options, choose Show hidden files, folders and drives. Uncheck Hide extensions for known
file types
8. Under the <drive_type...> change the vhd-file name to Windows XP Mode - Copy.vhd both in
<absolute type="string"> and <relative type="string">
9. Find the following place under <virtual_network> containing MAC-adress for Virtual XP's ethernet
adapter: <id type="bytes">
10. To allow two copies of Virtual XP to connect to network simultaneously , we have to change the MACadress of the ethernet adapter to avoid MAC-adress conflict. Adress is given in hex, 0-9 and A-E. It is
enough to change one bit. In this example we have changed the last bit from 1 to 0
11. Save and close the file
12. Go to C:\Users\Your_Username\Virtual Machines , copy Windows XP Mode.vmcx and paste it to same
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Have fun,
Kari
EDIT: Thanks to Brink for visual appearance.
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22 Aug 2009
#1
iseeuu
7 Home Pre x64,
Windows XP Pro,
Ubuntu 9.04
2,793 posts
MO, USA
My System Specs
22 Aug 2009
#2
Kari
Thanks, mate. Don't know about being an expert. I just need Virtual Machines at my line of work.
Windows 7 x64
Ultimate
10,264 posts
A Finnish immigrant
in Leipzig, Germany
Kari
My System Specs
www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/21904-virtual-xp-machine-copy.html
3/6
9/29/12
#3
JackStockton
Win 7
1 posts
My System Specs
.
02 Sep 2009
#4
Kari
Quote: Originally Posted by JackStockton
Windows 7 x64
Ultimate
10,264 posts
A Finnish immigrant
in Leipzig, Germany
My System Specs
04 Oct 2009
#5
kaw
Windows 7
Professional RTM
1 posts
Beta to RC
It's worth noting that if you go from W7VPC Beta to RC, the instructs listed are not quite enough (if you're using
dynamic disks). You also need to copy the parent disk to the exact same location on the new computer. In my
case, this simply meant copying over the "C:\Program Files\Virtual Windows XP" folder.
My System Specs
12 Oct 2009
#6
Night Hawk
Windows 7 Ultimate
x64, XP Mode, W8
RP VM, Linux Mint
Debian 2nd OS HD7 Pro x64 second
case
7,340 posts
New England
My System Specs
Here I was able to backup the entire virtual machines folder before proceeding to place them into the new folder
on a fresh install of 7 to see the XP Mode as well as a previous Vista on vhd install run again.
Later when the VPC RC and XP Mode RC were released the same vhd used for Vista needed a fresh install where
the 32bit 7 RC was used to replace Vista on that same vhd!
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My System Specs
14 Jan 2010
#7
rfeague
W7 Pro
4 posts
I've been through the steps a few times with care, and I see the same strange behavior JackStockton mentioned
where the .vmcx disappears as soon as I click on it. I will post a solution if I figure it out, but I just wanted to
reinforce that JackStockton is not imagining things, and as near as I can tell, not failing to follow the directions
with care.
My System Specs
14 Jan 2010
#8
Night Hawk
Welcome to the Windows 7 Forums! rfeague
Windows 7 Ultimate
x64, XP Mode, W8
RP VM, Linux Mint
Debian 2nd OS HD7 Pro x64 second
case
7,340 posts
New England
One thing I found fast from the time this guide was first posted here and once the final XP Mode was available
was that copying no longer worked as it had been seen with the XP Mode RC version which was the only version
available at the time.
The final version runs like an installer with a preconfigured setup mode for each fresh install there unlike the RC.
The guide here worked then for the RC version however but now needs to be updated.
When the RC version was used on a second 7 RC installation I would simply create a new shortcut once the
files/folders were copied over once a fresh install of the Virtual PC was seen first to have it work then.
First you now install the VPC, restart the system, and then install the XP Mode later to watch the setup take
place.
My System Specs
15 Jan 2010
#9
Kari
Quote: Originally Posted by JackStockton
Windows 7 x64
Ultimate
10,264 posts
A Finnish immigrant
in Leipzig, Germany
I've been through the steps a few times with care, and I see the same strange behavior JackStockton
mentioned where the .vmcx disappears as soon as I click on it. I will post a solution if I figure it out, but
I just wanted to reinforce that JackStockton is not imagining things, and as near as I can tell, not failing
to follow the directions with care.
Quote: Originally Posted by Night Hawk
9/29/12
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