Conclusion
Now you should have Windows XP set up as a guest inside VirtualBox on a Linux host. With Guest Additions, XP should now be in some form of fullscreen with mouse and keyboard integration. You can share files to and from the XP guest and Linux host. Your USB devices are available to the XP virtual machine. Heck, even cut, copy, and paste functions bi-directionally between the OSes. Unless you do really heavy 3D gaming, this setup should cover any straggling Windows-only apps that you absolutely need. It essentially does the very same thing that XP Mode does in Windows 7. Is there really a need to shell out extra money to get that functionality from a new version of Windows?
If you decide to keep this setup, then this How To guide saved you money. But how much? In a worst-case scenario, at least $90 assuming you already have a copy of Windows 7 Home Premium from a new PC purchase, in which case you'd need to pay that much to upgrade it to Professional in order to get XPM. In the best case scenario, $170. If Windows 7 Home Basic or Starter edition came installed on your new PC, you need to pay another $80 to upgrade to Windows 7 Home Premium, before paying the $90 for Pro or Ultimate.
Add in the fact that you probably have more than one PC (I have seven). Now you can really start to see how Windows 7 could end up costing serious cash. Even if you already pre-ordered the new Windows for your primary machine, you could still use the Linux/VBox/XP-combo on your others. And unless you're a hardcore gamer, go ahead and run Windows 7 in VirtualBox, too!
If it's the glowing Windows orb, the transparent windows, or gossamer reflection effects that are enticing you to go out and buy Windows 7, stay tuned for our upcoming coverage of Linux Preferences. There, we'll walk you through all the ways to customize your GUI, from panels to widgets and everything in-between. Don't worry, there will be a ton of transparency effects for those interested in cloning the Windows 7 GUI. There will even be some effects, like expo for Compiz Fusion, never before seen on a Windows machine.
Latest Software News
- 10/02 – Diablo 3 Won't Be Anywhere in Sight Until at Least Q2 2012
- 10/02 – Microsoft Promises "Fair and Reasonable" Patent...
- 09/02 – Loads of Skyrim Mods Already on Steam Workshop
- 09/02 – Chrome 17 With Web Page Prerendering Now for Download
- 08/02 – Windows 8 Consumer Preview on Feb 29, Claims Invitation
Latest Software reviews
- 17/01 – In Pictures: Dear Developers, 15 Games Worthy Of A Sequel
- 09/01 – Nokia Lumia 710 Review: Windows Phone 7 On A Budget
- 06/01 – Web Browser Grand Prix VIII: Chrome 16, Firefox 9, And Mac OS X
- 06/12 – Star Wars: The Old Republic: PC Performance, Benchmarked
- 11/11 – Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim: PC Performance, Benchmarked
How is this "all for free"? You still need a copy of XP, and even the OEM ones go for around $90.
I think an implimentation of WINE in ubuntu would be closer to what microsoft have been trying to do with XP compatibilty mode, that is free unlike virtual box which as gophergun said, you still need a full xp licence for.
You know what? I really think you're right whybother. I don't see the point of getting Windows XP to run on Virtual Machine. I know that WINE is still not at peak perfection with running applications meant for Windows, but if you have a copy of XP already, why install Ubuntu first? I mean wouldn't you prefer to install XP just like that?
Well I can give one scenario where this article could do good. I guess it's when you actually prefer to use Ubuntu over XP and actually have a program that doesn't run on WINE properly yet.
This article isn't bad, useless, or anything. It enlightened me and others I bet... Good day. :-)
You can always install Ubuntu as a VM via XP!
I beg to differ. It is because in the scenario I presented above, I mentioned that the person prefers using Ubuntu , or any OS besides Windows XP for that matter, which means he most likely will be using it most of the time. If he were to use Ubuntu/other in a VM then it will cause unnecessary usage of the RAM and processor, because both OS's will be on at the same time.
You are right though if both will be kept on always for some reason. It really doesn't matter which is in VM and which is the host. (Unless you have preferences on which should be dominant. :-)