Boost Performance with Integration Components for Windows Virtual PC
By Ciprian Adrian Rusen on Fri, 10/02/2009 - 10:44
One of the disadvantages of running a virtual machine with a guest operating system is the fact that it works pretty slowly and it eats up a lot of resources. In Windows Virtual PC, Microsoft has elegantly solved this problem by providing a package called Integration Components. This package can be installed in your virtual machine and significantly improves the interaction between your virtual machine and the physical computer, as well as between the host and guest operating systems. In this article I will describe the benefits of using Integration Components, how to install them, configure them and turn them on.
What Do Integration Components Deliver?
The Integration Components package provides the following advantages:
- Mouse integration - you can move your mouse seamlessly between the desktop of your host operating system and the guest. Once you install Integration Components you cannot disable this feature.
- Time synchronization - it automatically synchronizes the time of the guest operating system with that of the host. This feature cannot be disabled.
- Audio integration - this redirects the audio input & output for the virtual machine to the audio devices on the host. This feature can be disabled.
- Clipboard integration - it allows you to copy & paste data between the host and guest operating systems. This feature can be disabled.
- Hard drives integration - this feature allows users to select which drives from the host operating system are available for access in the guest operating system. This feature can be disabled.
- Printers integration - it allows users to share printers between the host and guest operating systems. To use this feature you will also need to install the appropriate printer drivers in both operating systems. This feature can be disabled.
- USB devices integration - USB memory sticks, card readers, photo cameras, etc. are automatically shared with the virtual machine. This feature can be disabled.
As you can see, the list is very long and using this package sensibly improves performance when working with virtual machines.
NOTE: The Integration Components are included & enabled by default in Windows XP Mode.
How to Install Integration Components
NOTE: This procedure works for the following guest operating systems: Windows XP, Windows Vista & Windows 7.
Go to Start Menu -> All Programs -> Windows Virtual PC -> Windows Virtual PC. Start the virtual machine for which you want to enable Integration Components and login to it. In the Windows Virtual PC window, go to Tools -> Install Integration Components.
You will receive a message that you are about to install Windows Virtual PC Integration Components. Click on Continue.
Then, run the setup.exe file from the virtual machine's DVD drive.
To start the installation, click on Next.
When done, it will prompt you to reboot your PC and, depending on the guest operating system, to install another tool. If prompted to install another tool, do not reboot your virtual machine immediately. Download first the additional tool and install it. For this tutorial, I installed Windows Vista Service Pack 2 on my virtual machine. Since my host operating system is Windows 7, it prompted me to install an 'Update for Windows Vista SP1 or above to enable RemoteApp'. This tool allows me to install applications which work only on Windows Vista (not Windows 7) and run them directly from Windows 7 using Windows Virtual PC. This is very similar to Windows XP Mode.
Click on download, save it on your virtual machine and install it. Then reboot your virtual machine.
When the virtual machine restarts, Integration Components will be installed but not completely enabled.
How to Enable & Configure Integration Components
To enable all integration features, first login to the guest operating system. In the Windows Virtual PC window, go to Tools -> Enable Integration Features.
Depending on your guest operating system, you might be asked to enter the login credentials for the virtual machine. Type the login username & password for the guest operating system, check the option which says 'Remember my credentials' and click on OK. This will allow the virtual machine to log you in automatically each time you use it.
Depending on your guest operating system you might be required to restart the virtual machine again. Click on 'Restart Now'.
When it restarts, the Integration Features are enabled with the exception of Hard drives integration. To enable this feature too or change what other features are turned on or off, go to Tools -> Settings.
Select Integration Features and from the right side menu, select the features that you want to have enabled. When done, click on OK.
In order for the changes to be applied, you will need to reboot your virtual machine again. You will also receive a notification like the one below.
After the reboot is done, the Integration Features you desire are turned on and ready to use. As you will see, they will make your life very comfortable when working with virtual machines.
Related articles:
Windows Virtual PC - Prerequisites & Installation Guide
How to Install an Operating System in Windows Virtual PC
How to Configure Windows Virtual PC Settings
Windows XP Mode - Prerequisites & Installation Guide
How to Work with Windows XP Mode
Recommended Reading:
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Comments
Hi, so I'm using Win 7 and I
Hi, so I'm using Win 7 and I wanted to try this virtual PC. the problem is I can't follow the instructions because I dont have the virtual PC in my lappy. so what should I do?
Check out this guide:
Check out this guide: http://www.7tutorials.com/windows-virtual-pc-prerequisites-installation-...
Integration Components on
Integration Components on Windows Virtual PC
I have been using Windows Virtual PC for a while now with Integration Components. My host machine is Windows 7 while virtual machine is windows server 2003. I have noticed that the integration components can not always be started while at other times, it starts just fine. Any reason why this would be the case or is there a workaround that you have found?
you have a pron drive?
you have a pron drive?
:) Yes... that's the name. It
:) Yes... that's the name. It is the partition where everybody downloads everything. Truly chaotic folder structures and contents.
My virtual XP hosted on Win7
My virtual XP hosted on Win7 by Windows Virtual PC has problems with Virtual PC Integration Devices.
Three of them are listed under "?" Other Devices in Devices Manager.
I am using Mac Book 5.2. Win7 is alternative operating sistem on second partition other than original OSx10.6.
I downloaded Virtual PC - XP Mode from oficial Microsoft site as ad-on on my Genium Win7, and instaled it acording to recomendations. All integration features are enabled in Virtual PC setings.
I am more than satisfied with both of my operating systems and with Win7 XP mode (Virtual PC) in general.
But however i vould like to find to solve this integration devices problem; maybe i need some drivers for Virtual devices or some add ons for Virtual PC that links virtual devices with hardware resources?
Aso I would like to know is there any way to upgrade "modest" display adaptor provided by Vitual PC.
Any help on thees isues wil be highly apriciated.
-:)
Hello, Thanks for the
Hello,
Thanks for the tutorial, it's very clear and easy to follow. The problem I'm having is this, after I keyed in my credentials, it went through but when I try to login, it won't work. Do you happen to know how to fix this, or is there any way to bypass entering the credentials at all?
Thanks.
Tried to install virtual PC
Tried to install virtual PC intergration component many times but always encountered Setup interrupted Click Finish to exit setup message.
What could be the issue(s) and how could I overcome it. Cheers.
With integration components
With integration components installed now my mouse doesn't lock into the VPC window and i cant play my regularly full screen games(eg. Red Alert 2: Yuri's revenge) when i get into a game and try and click the mouse, it pauses the game like i clicked outside of the screen... does any one have a fix for this?
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