Want to use Windows 7 on a new virtual machine? Microsoft’s Hyper-V software can make it happen. We all remember that Microsoft made this particular computer system. It’s for regular computers we use at home or work.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through creating a guest machine with Hyper-V and installing Windows 7 on it. Let’s begin!
Credit: Microsoft
The Benefits of Windows 7: A User-Friendly and Efficient Operating System
Windows 7, made by Microsoft, is a prevalent operating system used on personal and work computers. It was finished on July 22, 2009, and officially came out on October 22, 2009.
One of the big things about Win7 is how easy it is to use. It’s more straightforward and more accessible to figure out than older versions. Plus, it has new programs that make things faster and better, which makes it a good pick for anyone who wants a dependable and efficient operating system.
There are a few ways to install this OS on your computer. So, you can watch our video that shows you how to install it step by step, or you can follow simple instructions to install it on a virtual machine. With its easy-to-use design and better features, it is a bright opportunity for anyone who wants an excellent OS.
Running Windows 7 VM in Hyper-V
- To put Hyper-V virtualization software on your Windows 11 or 10, go to ‘Turn Windows Features On or Off,’ pick Hyper-V, click OK, and restart your PC when it’s done.
- Go to the start menu and open the Hyper-V Manager software. Once it’s open, you need to make an External Switch that you’ll use for guest machines before installing it. The Default Switch connects guest PCs to your network using a NAT adapter, but this can sometimes cause network issues. It’s better to use an External Switch to get an IP address from your network and improve the connection. To make the external adapter, go to the Actions section and open the Virtual Switch Manager.
- Choose “External” in Virtual Switch Manager. Then, press the “Create vSwitch” button. Once you’ve made the External adapter, go to its settings and choose the “External Network” option. Pick either the Ethernet or Wi-Fi adapter from your actual PC, and hit OK to close the window.
- Begin your exciting journey by clicking on Actions, then New, and finally, VM. This is the first step in unlocking all your abilities and creating your VM.
- Once the Before You Begin screen pops up, click on the Next button to continue with the process.
- In the “Specify Name and Location” window, type in the name of the Microsoft operating system you want to install. After that, hit the “Browse” button to select a place outside your PC to save your machine. Next, pick the folder on your external storage device where you want to store your guest machine.
- When you reach the “Specify Generation” window, remember there are two types of firmware: Generation 1 and Generation 2. If you’re installing an older OS like Windows 7, go for Generation 1, as it works with BIOS firmware. But if you’re installing a newer OS like Win10 or 11, go for Generation 2, which supports UEFI firmware. Also, keep in mind that it doesn’t fully support UEFI, so stick with Generation 1 for BIOS installations.
- Making your PC run better is really simple. In the “Assign Memory” window, choose the right amount of RAM. This will help your Win7 guest OS work smoothly. If you use lots of VMs together, you can make things even better by turning on Dynamic Memory. This feature makes your RAM work more efficiently. But even if you’re only using one VM, you can still configure it super fast. Just turn off Dynamic Memory and give your VM a fixed size of 4096 MB (that’s 4 GB).
- Remember to select your carefully crafted External network adapter in the Configure Networking window. It’s the one you need for smooth connections!
- You can customize the size of your hard disk to fit what you need. In the Connect Virtual Hard Disk window, it’s easy to change the capacity. This helps you install the most of the space. Instead of sticking with the default 127 GB, install it to a minimum of 50 GB. You have endless possibilities, and with the right tools, you can install anything you want.
- When you choose “Install an operating system from a bootable image file” in the Installation Options window, you’re moving closer to unlocking all the cool things your virtual machine can do. Just by clicking a button, you can add a Windows 7 ISO file to your OS.
- When you look at the Summary window, you can adjust the guest machine’s settings. You can either go back to the previous settings or confidently click Finish to close the wizard. You’re in control of your tech trip.
- It’s essential to make it as robust as possible to get the most out of your Win7 computer. You can do this by setting the number of vCPUs to 4 or more, depending on how powerful your PC’s hardware is. Doing this will help your VM install smoothly and make your work easier.
- It’s time to get your Windows 7 installation up and running in Hyper-V. You connect to your computer, and when you’re ready, give that Start button a click. It’s as simple as that!
Conclusion
To sum up, using this OS on a VM in the Hyper-V virtualization lets you enjoy its user-friendly and efficient system without changing your primary PC’s setup.
With Microsoft’s Hyper-V software, installing a VM with Windows 7 is accessible. Just follow a few steps. You can customize the machine’s settings, like memory and processors, to make it work better. With the right tools and help, you can discover all the great features of this OS and enjoy its benefits.