[ale] Semi-OT, Windows as VM guest

[Ken Cochran]

If it'll run QuickBooks Pro, a few different automotive
diagnostic applications (a couple of which are proprietary
& dongle-activated) and a proprietary photo-processing
application, I'm interested, but I don't have a box to test
it on.

All these applications require XP or later.  QuickBooks requires
Win7 or later (and from their docs, non-emulated & probably
not in a VM), but does run in XP, albeit with errors & crashes
if up to its current patchlevel.

None of these will run in WINE or CrossOver and getting any
of them to ever run in emulated-Windows is unlikely.

-kc

> Date: Fri, 28 Nov 2014 16:28:08 -0600
> From: parspes <parspes at gmail.com>
> To: ale at ale.org
> Subject: Re: [ale] Semi-OT, Windows as VM guest
>
> If you are feeling in the open source spirit you could try ReactOS.
> http://www.reactos.org/
> http://www.pcquest.com/pcquest/news/178193/reactos-an-open-source-os-with-look-feel-windows
> http://liliputing.com/2014/11/reactos-inches-closer-becoming-true-windows-2000-clone.html
>
> > Message: 1
> > Date: Thu, 27 Nov 2014 16:47:40 -0500 (EST)
> > From: Ken Cochran <kwc at shell.TheWorld.com>
> > To: ale at ale.org
> > Subject: [ale] Semi-OT, Windows as VM guest
> > Message-ID: <201411272147.sARLleXK7616871 at shell01.TheWorld.com>
> >
> > Semi-OT, so off-list reply ok & I'll try to summarize back.
> >
> > Hey ALErs & Happy Thanksgiving!
> >
> > I have a few applications that *require* Windows & won't run in
> > an emulator (a la Wine/CrossOver, believe me, we've tried).  They
> > should run fine in a VM though.
> >
> > Questions:
> >
> > What is the "best" (or recommended version(s)) of Windows to run
> > as a guest/hosted in a VM?  Looks like my choices are 7 Pro or
> > 8.1 Pro.  I'm thinking 7Pro - everyone else I've talked with
> > *hates* 8; thought I might ask here.
> >
> > Should it be the OEM DVD or is this something I can/should
> > download & make into a USB/flashdrive install?
> >
> > Does MS maintain the download images with service packs and/or patches?
> >
> > Can I "migrate" a Windows VM to a different machine, as needed?
> >
> > If I download it, how do I go about getting proper/valid/legal
> > license key(s)?
> >
> > As usual, pointers to FAQs, docs, FMs to RT are quite welcome.  :)
> >
> > -kc