Running a Windows Vista VM in Virtualbox

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

    Name: Microsoft Windows Vista
    Machine Folder: C:\VMs
    Type: Microsoft Windows
    Version: Windows Vista (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 Vista.vdi
    File size: 25.00 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 Vista .iso file
  16. Click OK
  17. Make sure the Windows Vista VM is selected and click Start > Normal
  18. Click Next
  19. Click Install Now
  20. Leave the product key blank, click Next > Click No to continue
  21. Select the version and check the I selected the edition of Windows I purchased box > Click Next
  22. Check the I accept box, Click Next
  23. Click Custom (advanced) > Click Next
  24. Wait for Windows to copy files, the VM will reboot
  25. Enter a username and password > Re-type the password > Click Next
  26. Give the computer a name > Click Next
  27. Click Ask me later
  28. Set the date/time and timezone > Click Next
  29. Click Home
  30. Click the Start Button
  31. Enter your password to login
  32. Welcome back to Windows Vista

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 Install this driver software anyway button
  5. After the installation completes select Reboot now > Click Finish
  6. Upon rebooting, you can now full screen the VM and the interal resolution will automatically change to match the window size
  7. Download i12bretro Windows SP Download
  8. Extract the downloaded zip file
  9. Select Devices > Optical Drives > Select disk image...
  10. Navigate to the extracted Windows SP file and select i12bretro_Windows_SP.iso
  11. If the VM doesn't autorun, open My Computer > CD Drive
  12. Open the Windows Vista folder > Double click SP1 x64.exe
  13. Follow the dialogs to install Service Pack 1
  14. Click Finish to reboot and complete the SP1 install
  15. After logging back in open My Computer > CD Drive
  16. Open the Windows Vista folder > Double click SP2 x64.exe
  17. Follow the dialogs to install Service Pack 2
  18. Once complete, Select Devices > Optical Drives > Remove disk from virtual drive
  19. Click Finish to reboot and complete the SP2 install