Running a Windows 7 VM in Virtualbox 🌱

  1. Locate a Windows 7 iso
  2. Launch Virtualbox
  3. Create a New VM by selecting Machine > New

    Name: Microsoft Windows 7
    Machine Folder: C:\VMs
    Type: Microsoft Windows
    Version: Windows 7 (64-bit)
    Memory Size: 4096 MB
    Hard disk: Create a virtual hard disk now

  4. Click Create
  5. On the Create Virtual Hard Disk dialog

    Name the virtual disk image Microsoft Windows 7.vdi
    File size: 40.00 GB
    Hard disk file type: VDI
    Storage on physical hard disk: Dynamically Allocated

  6. Click Create
  7. Select the VM and Click Settings
  8. Select System > Processor
  9. Give the VM at least 2 processors
  10. Select Display
  11. Slide the Video Memory to 128 MB
  12. Select Storage
  13. Click on the CD-ROM drive
  14. Select the disc dropdown to the right > Choose a virtual optical disc file...
  15. Browse to and select the Windows 7 .iso file
  16. Click OK
  17. Make sure the Windows 7 VM is selected and click Start > Normal
  18. Click Next
  19. Click Install Now
  20. Check the I accept box, Click Next
  21. Click Custom (advanced) > Click Next
  22. Wait for Windows to copy files, the VM will reboot
  23. Type a username and give the computer a name
  24. Enter a password > Re-type the password > Enter a password hint > Click Next
  25. At the Product Key dialog click the Skip button
  26. Click Ask me later
  27. Set the date/time and timezone > Click Next
  28. Click Home
  29. Welcome back to Windows 7

Optional Steps

  1. Select Devices > Insert Guest Additions CD image...
  2. If VirtualBox Guest Additions doesn't autorun, open My Computer > CD Drive > Double click VBoxWindowsAdditions-amd64.exe
  3. Install Guest Additions accepting the defaults
  4. Accept any driver popups from the Guest Additions installer by clicking the Yes button
  5. After the installation completes select Reboot now > Click Finish
  6. Upon rebooting, you can now full screen the VM and the internal resolution will automatically change to match the window size
  7. Log back into Windows 7
  8. Download i12bretro Windows SP Download
  9. Extract the downloaded zip file
  10. Select Devices > Optical Drives > Select disk image...
  11. Navigate to the extracted Windows SP file and select i12bretro_Windows_SP.iso
  12. If the VM doesn't autorun, open My Computer > CD Drive
  13. Open the Server 2008 & Windows 7 folder > Double click SP1 x64.exe
  14. Follow the dialogs to install Service Pack 1
  15. Click Finish to reboot and complete the SP1 install