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Configure Installation Prerequisites

The following instructions are prerequisites for installing and using Microsoft Enterprise Desktop Virtualization (MED-V) 2.0:

Windows Virtual PC

Windows Virtual PC Update

Antivirus/Backup Software Configuration

How to Install and Configure Windows Virtual PC

Important   If a version of Virtual PC for Windows already exists on the host computer, you must uninstall it before you install Windows Virtual PC.

To install Windows Virtual PC

  1. Download Windows Virtual PC from the Microsoft Download Center (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=195918).

  2. Run the installation file on the host computer, and follow the steps in the wizard.

Important   Windows Virtual PC includes the Integration Components package, which provides features that improve the interaction between the virtual environment and the physical computer. For example, it lets your mouse move between the host and the guest computers. MED-V requires the installation of the Integration Components package.

How to Install and Configure the Windows Virtual PC Update

The Microsoft update associated with article KB977206 enables Windows XP Mode for computers without hardware-assisted virtualization (HAV) technology. We recommended that you install this update because some integration features might not work correctly if the Integration Components package in the guest operating system do not match the version of Windows Virtual PC that is installed on the host computer.

Important   You do not have to install this update when you are installing MED-V on host computers that are running Windows 7 with Service Pack 1.

Tip   In addition to the update listed here, we recommend that you review all available Windows Virtual PC updates and apply those updates that are appropriate or necessary for your environment.

To install the Windows Virtual PC Update

  1. Download the required Windows Virtual PC update from the Microsoft Download Center.

    32-bit Update (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=195919).

    64-bit Update (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=195920).

  2. Run the installation file on the host computer in elevated mode, and follow the steps in the wizard.

    For more information about the hotfix package for Windows Virtual PC, see article 977206 (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=195921).

How to Configure Antivirus/Backup Software

To prevent antivirus activity from affecting the performance of the virtual desktop, we recommend, where you can, to exclude the following virtual machine file types from any antivirus or backup process that is running on the host computer:

  • *.VMC

  • *.VUD

  • *.VSV

  • *.VHD

Configure Environment Prerequisites

High-Level Architecture

MED-V 2.0 Supported Configurations