VirtualBox – Free Windows 7 for Mac users
The pending release of Windows 7 is on everyone’s mind of late. Amidst all
this, seems like Intel Mac in affiliation with Sun has found a way to stand above the talk, as it were – and deliver a free application, which enables the user to run Windows 7 in a virtual environment on the Intel Mac operating system, using VirtualBox.
This in essence is giving the user the option, and opportunity, to run two operating systems simultaneously.
In order to experience the VirtualBox, one would need to download the application.
It is advised that one only attempt to utilize VirtualBox if you are an experienced computer user, and to always backup all data beforehand.
The virtual environment that VirtualBox enables one to set up is a sterile environment in which one can experiment with questionable applications, beta programs and of course allows for the setting up of an entirely different operating system. Unlike Boot Camp, VirtualBox does not install Windows on a partition, which launches once the system user hits restart. VirtualBox is capable of performing without require a reboot, and it is entirely free.
As soon as VirtualBox has been installed on a system, the next step would be to download Windows 7 Release Candidate. This particular file is 2.36GB in size, so you may need to set up an overnight downloading process. You will also only be able to download this file utilizing a Hotmail account, an MSN account or a valid Windows Live ID.
The next step in creating your virtual environment is to launch VirtualBox and create a New Virtual Machine. You should name this new ‘machine’ something recognizable to you, for e.g. ‘Windows 7′.
To ensure optimal performance you should make sure to set the RAM of your system to 1GB. It will suffice to leave the rest of the setting on default.
Start the new virtual machine and select to install Windows 7 from CD or DVD (you will be utilizing using a CD image of the software, which you’ll choose by browsing your desktop). In the Media Source section of that same window, click on the Windows 7 image file you downloaded.
The next step is self-explanatory; simply follow the several installation dialogue boxes and its instructions. When the installer asks which type of installation you want, choose Custom (Advanced) because you are installing cleanly on an untouched virtual system.
When the next window asks where you would like to install Windows, install it in the default location (which will be your 20GB virtual hard drive – your ‘new machine’).
From there, wait through the installation process, choose whatever username you want, and use recommended settings to start off with. Since this is a free release candidate for testing, you can bypass the registration screen completely by hitting ‘Next’.
Last, but not least, set the Windows clock to the correct time, choose the type of network you are on (if you have a network) and that’s it! Windows 7 should start up. The Windows 7 Release Candidate will continue to work until June 2010, but it will begin to nag you to buy the full version from March 2010.
Beware, though–if you plan to run Windows regularly in VirtualBox, you will need to take precautions against viruses, spyware and other common Windows security concerns.
At the very least, download a legitimate and up-to-date, fully functional anti-spyware application, to ensure your system maintains optimal security and safety at all times.
