Virtualization enables users to create and run multiple Virtual Machines (VMs) on a single computer running a Windows operating system (OS). Each such VM can run a different OS, such as Windows XP, Windows Vista or Windows 7. VMs on client Windows desktops help users run older, legacy applications, which may not run well on a new Windows OS. VMs are also used in software development and testing. Virtualization is fundamentally changing the way IT infrastructure is built and managed in the industry. The Virtualization team at MSIDC builds new products and innovates in support of both client and server virtualization solutions from Microsoft.

Windows XP Mode used to create an XP VM running on a Windows 7 desktop

Windows Virtual PC (VPC) is a PC emulator software which can be used to create multiple Virtual Machines (VMs) on Windows 7. A VPC VM functions as an additional PC on your Windows 7 desktop, complete with its own Start menu, applications, folders such as My Documents, access to the network for email and Internet, and access to USB and serial devices. Windows XP Mode is a preconfigured VM, created using a pre-activated copy of Windows XP SP3 in VHD file format, provided with Windows 7 Business, Ultimate, and Enterprise SKUs. Both VPC and Windows XP Mode are closely integrated with the Windows 7 desktop. This enables the users to easily, seamlessly launch and use the full VM and virtual applications on Windows 7, as a delightful solution to the application compatibility needs of business users. When an application is installed in XP Mode, a shortcut is automatically published to the Start menu of Windows 7. Clicking on the shortcut will launch that application. Such applications have their file association enabled, which means that clicking on the file’s icon shortcut will also launch the required virtual application and open the file. Virtual applications can be pinned to Windows 7 super bar and jump list as well. Users can essentially run legacy productivity applications as if they are running natively in Windows 7.

An XP Mode virtual application (Excel 2003) running seamlessly on a Windows 7 desktop

Microsoft Hyper-V Contributions

Hyper-V is a path-breaking server virtualization product, which is received very well by users. The MSIDC team made significant contributions to building Microsoft’s Hyper-V, as an integral part of Windows Server 2008. Like Virtual Server, Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V provides server Virtualization. However, in this case, support for hardware Virtualization is made available in Windows itself, with familiar Windows User Interfaces, integrated with Windows-based technologies and a central management platform to manage both physical and virtual servers. This new approach provides a Hypervisor that runs directly on the hardware. One or more partitions can then be created on top of the Hypervisor, each providing a VM. The low-level support provided by the Windows Hypervisor allows VMs to run in a more efficient way, providing better performance. It adds new virtual I/ O capabilities, expands the per-virtual machine memory limit from 4GB to 32GB, and supports up to eight processors per virtual machine. No other Virtualization technology provides this functionality for Windows.

Microsoft Virtual Server

This technology provides a virtualization platform that runs most major X86 operating systems in a VM, and is supported by Microsoft as a host for Windows Server OS and Windows Server system applications. Virtual Server 2005 R2's comprehensive COM API, in combination with the Virtual Hard Drive (VHD) format and support for virtual networking, provides administrators complete scripted control of portable, connected virtual machines, and easy automation of deployment and management of virtual servers. Virtual Server is ideal for server consolidation in both the datacenter and the branch office, allowing IT staff to make more efficient use of their hardware resources, re-host legacy OS (Windows NT Server 4.0 and Windows 2000 Server), consolidate test and development server farms, automate the provisioning of virtual machines and simplify disaster and recovery planning.

Going Forward

Our vision is to enrich the Windows User Experience with virtualization integrated into Windows, working with the worldwide Microsoft and partner teams, to delight the users.