Virtual Machine (VM)

What Is A Virtual Machine?

A software application that configures an environment that simulates a physical computer.   You create the VM, install an operating system (OS) like you would on any computer, and then install applications.   You can completely configure the VM resources such as CPU, memory, network interface, serial ports, disk space, etc.   Once a VM is configured, you can make a copy of the VM image and run that VM image.   NOTE: You must have an individual software license for each OS and app that you run in the VM, independent of what is installed on your primary (real) PC.  

 

Why Not Use Docker?

Docker is a portable, lightweight environment that allows you to isolate an application from the host environment.   A Docker environment (container) does NOT contain an operating system (OS), but instead uses the host OS.   So you can only run a Windows app within Docker if the host is running Windows.   You can share the Docker container with another PC provided it is running the same OS and the Docker Engine is installed.   The Docker container contains everything the application in the container needs to run, and it doesn't make changes to the host OS (registry, etc).   Data can be transferred between the Docker container and the host.  

 

Why Use A Virtual Machine?

Use it to try or test a new software application in a copy of the VM, without any concern for it's installation affecting your primary (real) PC.   Running the application in a VM will prevent it from making changes to the host PC Windows registry or other files.   You can delete the copy of the VM image when done.  

Test a software application in a VM with unique CPU, memory, disk space, and other resources.  

Install an operating system (OS) completely different from your primary PC OS, such as Linux, or even a cell phone (Android), and then install apps and run them.  

 

What VM Software Should I Use

Several options exist.   A favorite app is Oracle VirtualBox.   It is simple to install, intuitive to use, and very powerful.   Certain versions of Windows includes the Microsoft virtual machine application named 'Hyper-V'.  

 

Notes

Data can be shared between the host and the VM by configuring a specific shared folder.