Is it possible to install Windows 8 using Microsoft Virtual PC?
Windows Virtual PC is unable to host a virtualized install of Windows 8. Windows Virtual PC is being depreciated in favor of Hyper-V.
Steven Sinofsky, head of Windows, wrote a blog post titled Running Windows 8 Developer Preview in a virtual environment where he goes into the subject in detail. It's a good read. Halfway down he says:
"... our baseline assessment is as follows:
Functional:
- Hyper-V in Windows 8 Developer Preview
- Hyper-V in Windows Server 2008 R2
- VMware Workstation 8.0 for Windows
- VirtualBox 4.1.2 for Windows
Non-functional:
- Microsoft Virtual PC (all versions)
- Microsoft Virtual Server (all versions)
- Windows 7 XP Mode
- VMWare Workstation 7.x or older"
So no, Microsoft Virtual PC does not official support Windows 8. If an unofficial hack comes out and gets it running it will almost certainly be a sub-par experience.
The new official virtualization solution from Microsoft is Hyper-V and it will be available not only on the server but also on the desktop.
Windows 8 requires a new ACPI functionality mode (ACPI 2.0) which is not supported at all in many virtualisation products.
Thus far, I have only been able to get it working inside of VMWare Workstation 8 (which for some coincidence was launched today!).
I have just tested and it will also work in the newest version of VMWare Player (Version 4.0.0 build-471780).
If you want a free solution, I found a guide (located here) earlier today with instructions on how to get it working in Virtual Box.
I set it up in Virtual Box the latest version choosing Windows 7 64 bit as the "Version" under "VM Name and OS Type". It installed first try. I hope this helps.
You can not run Windows 8 in Virtual PC because it (Windows 8) does not support VPC. MSDN