My step-son is researching the best virtual machine to install and run Windows 7 on. He isn't a gamer, but more of a gear-head and one of the programs he wants to run is only compatible with Windows 7.

Any suggestions?

WOW, You asking us, that is a tough one, and a tall order to give the Goddess Queen of computers advice, but here is one good site to look at, they have a pretty good reputation for Computing advice:

https://www.howtogeek.com/59076/beginner-how-to-install-windows-7-into-virtual-pc/

good luck in your search

I can give some general comments which may or may not be useful.

It's good he isn't planning on gaming because for more ambitious games, Virtual Machines tend to be horribly slow.

Mayhaps he can run the software in some compatibility mode and make it work that way?

If he has Windows 10 or 11 PRO Microsofts virtualization tech Hyper-V is included. Installation/activation is somewhat tricky but there are plenty of guides online. I haven't tried virtual Win 7 but have had success with some Linux flavours. Being able to run Hyper-V was my main reason to get the slightly more expensive Windows Pro version.

I really like virtual machines and use them a lot.

Quite a few of my older programs and gadgets didn't survive the transition from win 7 to win 10. I keep an old win 7 laptop for occasional legacy tasks.


Good luck!

Thanks, Fogfighter! From what I understand this particular software is an old Chrysler automotive software which will only run in Windows 7. He got this new laptop to use out in his garage and it's Windows 11. I also helped him set up a VPN as he may be searching and researching on websites based in other countries. Like I said, he's kind of a gear-head and loves working on old trucks and cars.

I did find during one of my searches you could use Windows 10 and 11 to install a virtual machine on a separate partition. I just can't find a lot about how well it works. He already has an unused Windows 7 license, so that's not a problem.

One issue with the mentioned Hyper-V is the difficulty to access USB-ports from the Virtual Machine.
If the automotive software needs to be physically connected to the vehicle that could be a challenge.
I don't know about competing virtualization software like VM-ware..

As you said separate partitions, some kind of dual boot, could also be a solution. I have never dabbled with that but hear it's fairly common.

Of course windows 7 is not updated by Microsoft anymore. Though possible, it's not recommended to surf the internet on such systems. At least not on random sites. ( As I understand it in a few years the same thing will happen to Windows 10 ). So no watching TikTok on the automotive PC

An other approach could be to try to get some used Windows 7 computer to dedicate for the automotive work. It might be possible to find some affordable. Maybe on some nearby garage-sale if you're lucky

Good luck and please keep us informed about the progress

Yeah, I told him if he booted into Windows 7, he should immediately disconnect from the internet and it hasn't had any security updates for a long time - not safe to have on the internet. I have no idea what this specific software is used for, but he said he didn't need internet for it. I'm pretty sure we can find something decent like VM-ware as I know he definitely doesn't want more computers out in the garage!

I've done a dual-boot on a couple of the computers I've built for myself and it works quite well. I've had it set up to boot from a separate drive and from a partition. I've got three drives on this build I could boot into through the BIOS!

It's great the Win7-depending software doesn't need internet access.
I also fully sympathize with the reluctance to have yet a gadget in the garage.
So many thingies, so little space

I keep my fingers crossed for the Chryslers but am not worried.
No doubt you will find some good solution for the automotive software

Please keep us updated

I'm sort of late to the party on this one, but there are some very inexpensive, new and used, small and mini workstations out there that could run Windows 7 handily. Then he wouldn't have to worry about "crossing streams" or losing external connection functionality.

Thanks, Trail! I've already run that by him and he might consider it. He just doesn't want multiple units out there in the garage if possible. Too high of a chance something is going to get broken when he's pulling an engine or something like that!

Yeah, that's understandable. Ya' know, some of the mini-machines they have out now are wireless and wall mountable. If he has the wall space, that would keep it out of the way. He could just have a wireless keyboard and mouse on a rolling cart (which can be had for cheap at the evil shopping empire). Now, I'm just talking myself into building one for fun.

I think that now you might be talking his language, Trail!