Even if Microsoft pushes to switch to Windows 8, it still allows you to download past editions of Windows onto your computer which can therefore be installed on virtual machines for free . Those who want to keep on the computer, both on a normal PC and on Mac or Linux, a fully functional version of Windows 7 8 and 10, can install the free VirtualBox program and then download the operating system for virtual machines provided free of charge by Microsoft for free.
With the virtual machine you can run the system as if it were a computer program and therefore obtain a fully functional and ready version of Windows Windows 7, 8, 10 and XP .
These are versions that web developers can use to test applications and sites on previous versions of Internet Explorer, but they are also useful for those who need an older operating system such as Windows XP.
The version of Windows for Virtual Box, as well as the other Windows virtual machines, have a free license of temporary use lasting 3 months or 90 days, but nothing prevents you from activating the copy of Windows after installing it on a virtual PC, if you have an old activation key that is no longer used.
Download and install Windows Virtual Machine
Then go to the download page of Virtual Machines on the Microsoft site to download the file that will have to be loaded as if it were a normal computer program.
You must first choose the operating system used on your computer and then, in the next menu, which of the virtualization programs is used between VirtualPC, Hyper-V, VMWare and VirtualBox
Among these, I certainly recommend using VirtualBox which can be downloaded and installed for free.
Among the systems you can choose Windows 10 with Edge or even Windows 7 or Windows 8 with
Windows 7 8 and 10 downloads are divided into RAR files to be opened with programs such as WinRar or 7Zip
After downloading the file, open VirtualBox and import the file as a virtual application .
Press on the File button and then on Import application.
The wizard allows you to select the file that has already preconfigured everything.
Once this wizard is finished, the new virtual machine appears in the list and can be started.
Those who are new to virtual machines know that these are programs capable of emulating a real computer in all its aspects so when you "turn on" the first time you go to install the operating system.
In this case the operating system is imported ready so the initial procedure is really fast and simple.
Windows is ready to go and can be used as normal, to surf the internet and install programs.
If it is the first time you use VirtualBox, an internet connection problem may arise.
Then go to the settings of the virtual machine and open the Network section.
In most cases, just select NAT or Host-only Adapter with VirtualBox Host-Only Ethernet Adapter option and select Cable connected
It may also be necessary to create a network bridge between the two connections, that of the main computer and that of Virtualbox.
Even if in a limited way then, thanks to VirtualBox and Microsoft, it is possible to test both old and new operating systems on your computer, free and without complications.
After the trial period, you can always reinstall it from the beginning as each virtual machine is treated like a new computer and there are no limitations in this.
Finally, I remember that there are many other ways to legally download Windows, in different versions:
- Download Windows 8 in Italian for free (so you can install Windows 8 on a virtual machine to try it out before buying it)
- Download the ISO of Windows 7
