Sometimes I really wish I could just give Bill Gates a hug. Not often, but sometimes.
Windows Vista doesn’t come with Microsoft Fax. I want to slash Bill’s tyres for that one, but let’s move onto the positive stuff..
So what I’ve done to get around this on my development machine (which runs Vista) is to install Windows XP as a virtual machine, so it runs in it’s own little window on my PC. I now have all the benefits of Windows Vista (I think there are three in total), along with the benefits of having Windows XP as well!
I’ve spent the past 20 minutes trying to figure out how to copy some files from my “real” computer (Vista), to my virtual one (XP). The screenshot here shown my desktop (notice the terribly boring black wallpaper) – you’ll see XP running in the window in the background. Lovely.. But how do I get files into XP from Vista?
First I tried setting up a virtual network between the two operating systems. Then I considered FTP’ing into XP, but that would require a network connection which I don’t have. I then thought I’d be able to use a flash drive as a common drive between both OS’s, but XP didn’t detect it. So eventually I asked Google..
“Dear Google. It’s been almost 5 hours since my last question. I still think that MS Office is far superior to your online docs. Sorry..”
Anyway, here’s the answer… Here’s how to copy files from your main PC to a virtual PC running on the same computer.
DRAG AND DROP!
Drag and drop!!!!!! How freaken beautiful is that! Just open up Windows Explorer on your main PC, and open up Windows Explorer in the virtual PC. Then drag and drop files from one operating system to the other!
Sometimes Microsoft really, really rocks. Not hardcore rock like Metallica, but definitely in the same ballpark as Avril Lavigne. Thanks Mr Gates…
SO what are the 3 benefits of Vista?
i have not found that many!
How to copy files from Virtual PC to real machine? Drag and drop doesn’t work.
To copy files from the virtual back to the real machine, use Shared Folders, its a setting in the Microsoft Virtual PC settings for the virtual machine.
dude
.. that drag and drop option is not working .. kindly suggest some other method..urgently i need some help. mine is windows 7 os and XP VM
You have to install the VM Tools in order for the drag and drop option to work. Takes some time but worth it.
drag n drop doesnt work for me :-/
i “fixd” it, i only had to upgrade instalation. its automatic, just click somewhere on upper panel on something, (i dont remember) and choose update. now Drag and drop is working, i have Win7 ultimate. sorry for my bad eng.
peace
i have another problem – very poor performance when im playing stronghold crusader (which is 2D). i set up RAM on 1GB for my VM and still it is lagging. any ideas?
i have W7U, 2GB RAM, 2.0 GHz AMD two-core and XP Pro SP3 in VM.
Virtual PC Integration Components under tools – I am hoping this makes it work for drag and drop… nope no drag and drop. It did enable the USB menu in the VM, which then allows you to claim the USB devices into the VM. So I am copying data to the USB device to get it into the VM and back out.
If drag or drop between your main PC and Virtual PC does not work, make sure you have Integration Features enabled.
In order to enable it, go to the Tools menu and choose “Enable Integration Features”
It worked thanks
Regards,
Ekta
What ‘Hasmik’ said is correct. i was having problems but now it works great. But how to i stop it from containing the mouse in the VM window, so i dont have to press Ctrl + Alt + Left Key?
i wish 64bit would run 16bit. I’m running winSQL on my VM at the moment.