Installing Virtual Server 2005 R2 on Vista RC1 / RC2

Installing Virtual Server 2005 R2 on Vista RC1 / RC2

There are two main parts.

First you need to configure IIS correctly. To do this you will need to enable to following subcomponents of IIS:

Under Web Management Tools enable:
IIS Management Console

Under IIS 6 Management Compatibility enable:
IIS Metabase and IIS6 configuration compatibility

Under Application Development Features enable:
CGI

Under Common Http Features enable:
Default Document
Directory Browsing
HTTP Errors
Static Content

Under Health and Diagnostics enable:
HTTP Logging
Request Monitor

Under Performance Features enable:
Static Content Compression

Under Security enable:
Windows Authentication

N.B. Just checking the top level entry for IIS will *not* install all of these components. You need to select them individually.

The second part is that you need to run Internet Explorer 'as administrator' by right clicking on it and selecting 'Run as administrator'.

N.B. The 'Run as administrator' option is not available on the Internet Explorer shortcut on the start menu, but it is available on the one under 'All Programs' and the one on the quick start toolbar.

The reason for this second step is that the Virtual Server COM interfaces are secured to only allow authorized users to access them. If you do not run Internet Explorer 'as administrator' it will not provide your full credentials to Virtual


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Workaround for running Virtual Server 2005 R2 on Windows 7 RC

As we know Virtual Server or Virtual PC doesn't work on Windows 7. But there is a workaround to get it working.

Here’s how to run Virtual server on windows 7;

PCA is always blocking the vssrvc.exe (Virtual Server service). First you should block PCA. I did that by the following way: In the Group Policy go to the Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Application Compatibility\ and enable all of the Turn off xxx entries. I think if you enable only the "Turn off Application Compatibility Engine" it would be enough but I wanted to be sure and enabled everything, later we are going to restore the original settings. Then go to the "Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\System\Troubleshooting and Diagnostics\Application Compatibility Diagnostics\"and disable all of the entries so that we don't come across any DCOM or driver related error.

IIS have to be prepared as well. Requirements are same as in Vista take a look at this link.

Restart your computer and then you are ready to install the Virtual Server 2005 R2 SP1. Afterwards Virtual Server (VS) should be running and you can check it by Virtual Server Administration Website.

Next restore all settings what you changed in Group Policy and restart your computer. Unfortunately Application Compatibility Engine will detect Virtual server services and block that again. So you have to go to the Virtual Server directory (Usually C:\Program Files\Microsoft Virtual Server\) and rename the vssrvc.exe to something else (example: vssrvc_newname.exe). Open the registry editor and replace all entry which contains "vssrvc.exe" to vssrvc_newname.exe (path, DCOM object details, etc)
Finally restart your computer and enjoy Virtual server 2005 at Windows 7 RC :)


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