Virtual PC

This article is about the x86 emulator for PowerPC Macs and Windows and formerly by Connectix. For the generic term, see Virtual machine.

Not to be confused with Windows Virtual Desktop.

Connectix Virtual PC Microsoft Virtual PC Windows Virtual PC
Icon of Windows Virtual PC
Screenshot of Windows Virtual PC running Windows XP on a Windows 7 host
Developers	Connectix (1997–2003) Microsoft (2003–2011)
Release	1997 (1997) (as Connectix Virtual PC)
Final release	6.1.7600.16393 / February 14, 2011 (2011-02-14) (as Windows Virtual PC)
Successor	Hyper-V
Type	Virtual machine emulator
License	Freeware
Website	www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=3702

Virtual PC is a discontinued x86 emulator software for Microsoft Windows hosts and PowerPC-based 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. The Mac version was discontinued when Macs switched from PowerPC to Intel processors.

In 2009, Microsoft released Windows Virtual PC, which is only compatible with Windows 7 hosts, 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 Professional SP3 as guests. Virtual PC was succeeded by Hyper-V.