AIKOUSHA  First suggestion: Either buy a cheap bare-bones PC (it'll be cheaper and less of a headache) or get one of those Mac dual-cores with the ability to run Windows.

Don't bother with this version (7.x, the Microsoft one).

I've been on an upgrade path with VPC since version 1 or 2 and every upgrade was a step up, However, as soon as Microsoft got it, it got slower, bloated, severely unstable, and installed things that made data safety and security impossible.

The program no longer can be isolated in it's own partition. It MUST install itself on the current boot drive... Do you realize how screwed up and unstable this program gets when you have more than one boot drive? Don't test it, it ain't worth it.

When you go from 6 to 7, not only do you take a speed and efficiency hit, but many things are capped at low settings. VPC7 alters PC disc images so that previous versions of VPC can no longer recognize them. The tools, like drag and dropping between host and VM tend to stop working at random times. Even the saved-state process slowed down.

Then, why they didn't implement the ability to use a real PC format HD or partition is beyond me, the coding for the drive image access is sloppy and fails all the time, and when it does it badly, you LOSE the entire drive image and everything in it (most of the data is still there, but no version of VPC will access it any more), and attempting to reaquire the drive, or even the program itself is not possible, because after such a crash, VPC7 forces you to reinstall itself. This means you have to get out your original discs (7.0 base and upgrade, and the Windows OS disc, you then have to reinstall it all over agin, in exactly the right order (if not, you have to start from scratch), and then you have to track down the 2 or 3 serial numbers you have to have, and if you are testing with XP, you have to freaking call the damn company to Authenticate Windows, all over again.

This crash issue happens very frequently (at least on my Mac). Last year, I had to go through this process SIX times. Currently I have no viable VPC HD image... I'm using DOS-Box for a few things currently, and a local library to test what few things I can use their computers for (if you have to restart, their computers reset to a base image, so nothing that requires a 2-stage install ^_^).

I should also point out that due to Microsoft's method of sticking things all over, pref file (or one of the other files) corruption can also cause the forced re-install... and VPC7 rarely comes out working after a restored backup on my system (everything else does, though).

Virtual drive backups are essential but a pain in the ass when you are testing things that play with video (I tend to have to max the size of my virtual PC drives).

I'd go back to 6, but because everything I have is an upgrade from back before OSX existed, the disc with my 98 image refuses to install, bizarrely it launches the script editor instead of installing.

I have to figure out which version and which Mac OS system to start with, and run at least 3 upgrade discs to get to 6.0. If I have to run something that desperately in Windows before I get a new computer, I'll take the time to figure it out, but it's not worth it, otherwise.

IF YOU HAVE VPC6, STICK WITH IT! Don't upgrade. If you have access to a full version of VPC5 or 6 install those. Otherwise, your best bet is to invest in new hardware.

VERSION 7 SUCKS! I can't stress it enough. And I should also point out, like one other reviewer did... It's dangerous, apparently not only to your PC "drive" but to your Mac's drives.

I wonder if the Windows version of VPC is as moronicly designed and implemented.  
(Version 7.0.3)

BOBSTER  Well, I've been mucking with Virtual PC 7 for a few days, but there are things about it that lead me to believe MS is not interested in making a fast emulator. Come to think of it, why would they? Since they acquired Connectix a few years ago (the creators of Virtual PC and that awesome Playstation emulator, among others), I can only conclude MS doesn't want to put any real effort into making VPC a great product, since ultimately it is serving the 'enemy' Mac users. Of course, now that the newer Macs are Intel-based and can run Windoze, that hammers the nail in the coffin I would think.

I'm glad that Connectix created this product, it's helped on a few occasions. But one thing I cannot abide the slowness. VPC7 thinks I have a 532MHz CPU when it's actually 1 GHz, and by default the video card is an S3Trio32/64 'legacy' card, when I actually have an ATI Radeon 9600. VRAM can only be set max 16MB, but my Radeon has 256MB. Surely in this update, the hardware defaults could have been upgraded? My Mac is 4 years old, and a Radeon 9600 is not exactly new...

Anyway, there is the main problem: the OS itself LOL but let's not go there.  
(Version 7.0.3)

ALEX B  I'm more amazed with the fact that Microsoft has the audacity to continue charging for this product when they offer the PC version for free.  
(Version 7.0.3)

BEDOUIN  Anyone else amazed that MS bothered to release an update for VPC, considering they seemed to have abandoned it a long time ago?   
(Version 7.0.3)

MACUSR  98SE files using this on my G4 iBook. This must be the only good thing Microsoft came out with. I was able to run map software, install and run Sim City 2000, and it's wonderful. I'm even going to try RollerCoaster Tycoon!  
(Version 7.0.2)

NORTONJG  will this update make virtual pc to run on tiger 10.4.3?  
(Version 7.0.2)

MAD MAC'S  Bloated like all MicroSoft products.

Slower with each new update.

Can't play MSN Zone Games under any windows flavour but iEmulator can.

Can't play 90% of the windows games but iEmulator CAN play about 70%

It's a shame MicroSlop took over Virtual PC, it's a dead horse, now quit beating it and move aside for some real programmers.  
(Version 7.0.2)

FILTER  I'm giving this 0 stars. Not only did this come 6 months too late (being practically useless to me because the only reason I use this is to test sites running on the Mac side with Win/IE), it's now causing kernel panics about every other session (unacceptable!!!).

If You need to develop things for Win, get the cheapest PC box that'll run the version of Windows You're targeting, it'll be much-much faster and you won't loose stuff on your Mac when it bombs.

This is not good software. Period.  
(Version 7.0.2)

ANONYMOUS  What happened to the ability to expand fixed drives? This is essential! I have to recreate my drive all over again on a larger partition because Microsoft stupidly removed this feature.  
(Version 7.0.2)

ANONYMOUS  Takes all sorts of liberties with your system. Also, the startup items it installs without asking broke every other startup item I had installed, including SideTrack and Version Cue. How do Microsoft churn out such garbage?  
(Version 7.0.2)