Thread: I want to use Microsoft Virtual PC on my notebook

I want to use Microsoft Virtual PC but there is not enough space on my notebook hard disk for the virtual images. I have a 60GB external hard disk with enough space, but I don't know if this is suitable.

It is possible to set up the Virtual PC on a Universal Serial Bus (USB) hard disk, but this can have quite a significant performance hit, depending on the computer. The external hard disk should certainly connect to the computer with USB 2, otherwise the virtual PC will be too slow to be of any use. It is also a good idea not to try to use a CD or DVD image on the same USB hard disk as the virtual disk. Windows XP took the best part of a day to install when we tried this.

Right-click on the Virtual PC icon in the Notification Area and then left-click on New Virtual Machine Wizard. Click on Next, then select 'Create a virtual machine' and click on Next. Enter a name for the Virtual Computer. This can be left in the default location as this is just the settings file for the virtual computer and does not require much disk space. Click on Next. Select an operating system and click on Next two more times. Click on the option' A new virtual hard disk' and click on Next. Click on the Browse button and select a location on the USB hard disk. It is best to keep all of the disks together in one folder.

Select a size for the hard disk, click on Next and then on Finish. The virtual computer can now be started in the normal way.