Editing Virtual PC (section)

{{Short description|Emulator for PowerPC Macs and for Windows}}
{{about|the x86 emulator for PowerPC Macs and Windows and formerly by Connectix|the generic term|Virtual machine}}
{{Distinguish|Windows Virtual Desktop}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2012}}

{{Infobox software
| name = Connectix Virtual PC<br>Microsoft Virtual PC<br>Windows Virtual PC
| logo = Virtual pc icon.png
| logo caption = Icon of Windows Virtual PC
| screenshot = Windows virtual pc.png
| caption = Screenshot of Windows Virtual PC running [[Windows XP]] on a [[Windows 7]] host
| replaced_by = [[Hyper-V]]
| developer = [[Connectix]] (1997–2003)<br/>[[Microsoft]] (2003–2011)
| released = {{start date and age|1997}} (as Connectix Virtual PC)
| latest_release_version = 6.1.7600.16393<!-- If you update this, don't forget to update [[Comparison of platform virtual machines]]-->
| latest_release_date = {{end date and age|2011|02|14}}<ref name="wvpc-download">{{cite web |url = https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=3702 |title = Windows Virtual PC |work = Download Center |publisher = Microsoft |date = February 14, 2011 |access-date = April 1, 2014 |archive-date = March 25, 2014 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140325030847/http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=3702 |url-status = live }}</ref> (as Windows Virtual PC)
| discontinued = yes
| operating_system = 
| genre = [[Virtual machine]] emulator
| size = 
| license = [[Freeware]]<ref name="wvpc-download" />
| website = {{official url}}
}}

'''Virtual PC''' is a discontinued [[x86]] [[emulator]] software for [[Microsoft Windows]] hosts and [[PowerPC]]-based [[Mac (computer)|Mac]] hosts. It was created by [[Connectix]] in 1997 and acquired by [[Microsoft]] in 2003, after which the program was renamed '''Microsoft Virtual PC'''. In July 2006, Microsoft released the Windows version free of charge.<ref name="NEHUd">{{cite web |date=July 12, 2006 |title=Virtual PC is free! |url=http://blogs.msdn.com/virtual_pc_guy/archive/2006/07/12/662535.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100127094258/http://blogs.msdn.com/virtual_pc_guy/archive/2006/07/12/662535.aspx |archive-date=January 27, 2010 |access-date=October 14, 2009}}</ref> The Mac version was discontinued following the [[Mac transition to Intel processors|transition to Intel processors]] that same year.

In 2009, Microsoft released '''Windows Virtual PC''', which is only compatible with [[Windows 7]] hosts,{{Efn|All editions except Starter.<!--
  NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH XP MODE, WHICH RUNS ONLY ON SELECT EDITIONS
  --><ref name="wvpc-desc">{{cite web |url = http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=958559 |title = Description of Virtual PC for Windows 7 |work = Microsoft support |publisher = Microsoft |date = April 1, 2010 |access-date = June 5, 2010 |archive-date = March 28, 2014 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140328120514/http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=958559 |url-status = live }}</ref>}} and is the technical foundation for the latter's Windows XP Mode. Windows Virtual PC does not officially support MS-DOS or operating systems older than [[Windows XP#Service Pack 3|Windows XP Professional SP3]] as guests.<ref name="wvpc-desc" /> Virtual PC was discontinued in 2011 in favour of [[Hyper-V]].<ref name="s9aEA">{{cite web | title = Windows Virtual PC – FAQ | publisher = [[Microsoft.com]] | date = <!-- Undated. --> | url = http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/support/faq.aspx | access-date = July 10, 2009 | archive-date = March 16, 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130316070239/http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/support/faq.aspx | url-status = live }}</ref>