TechTips - How to Install Virtual Server 2005 R2 on Windows 7

You can install Virtual Server 2005 R2 on Windows 7 but you have to work at it and it's not supported. So if you just totally have your heart set on installing Virtual Server 2005 R2 on Windows 7 you are able to do it but there have been issues and you have to make some changes to Windows 7 to allow the installation to take place without any problems. In this guide I will show you what changes need to be made to allow the installation to take place, what the changes might cause and how to apply SP1 after the install is complete.

This is one of the trickier installs I have had to do, it's not that hard and there is only one windows 7 policy change to make but it took me some time to locate the policy that was causing the problem with the install. Basically when you try to install Virtual Server 2005 R2 you get a message saying it can't install because it's not compatible. This error message is correct but if you shut off this message you can in fact install Virtual Server 2005 and even get it to work. The tricky part is stopping the message from occurring.

So in order to install Virtual Server 2005 you have to turn off the application compatibility checking engine and assistant, to do this follow these steps:

Click Start

Click Search Bar

Type GPEDIT

Hit Enter

In the left window pane select Local Computer Policy

In the left window pane select Computer Configuration

In the left window pane select Administrative Templates

In the left window pane select Windows Components

In the left window pane select Application Compatibility

In the right window pane double click Turn off Application Compatibility Engine

Select Enabled Radio button

Click OK

In the right window pane double clickTurn off Program Compatibility Assistant

Select Enabled Radio button

Click OK

Reboot your computer

Now before we continue make sure you know what you just did. By turning off the Application Compatibility Assistant Windows will no longer tell you if you are running a program that has known issues with Windows 7. It won't tell you anything and let you try to run the programs and will most likely fail (it's a good idea to turn it back on after the install of Virtual Server 2005)

By turning off the Program Compatibility Engine Windows 7 will no longer try to correct compatibility issues for programs. Programs that might have been working before (since this was on and fixing issues) might not work now. Be aware of this possible issue so you know where to start trouble shooting.

Once you reboot your system re-run the setup for Virtual Server 2005, it should install just fine now. Once you have Virtual Server 2005 installed you will want to apply the SP1 update that will help resolve issues with Windows 7. They didn't make this SP1 update a straightforward install though you have to apply it via the command line (it's in a weird format MSP). To apply the SP1 update you have to do the following:

Click Start

Click Search Bar

Type CMD

Type msiexec /update KB956124.msp

Hit Enter

The update should apply with no problems and once it has completed you should be able to use the Virtual Server 2005 software on your Windows 7 box.

Here are the links to the files you will need to complete this guide:

Virtual Server 2005 SP1

Virtual Server 2005 SP1 updates

Well I hope this guide helps you to get your Virtual Server 2005 up and running on your Windows 7 box.