Virtual PC 2007 is a powerful software virtualization solution that allows you to run multiple PC-based operating systems simultaneously on one workstation. This article lists the security options available for Virtual PC, which can be used to lockdown Virtual PC access or restrict a particular feature for non-administrators.

Virtual PC Security Options

1. Login as administrator and launch the Virtual PC Console

2. From the File menu, click Options

3. Click Security

4. Enable the appropriate checkboxes under "Require administrator permissions for:" section. Here are the options listed:

• Options
• Settings
• New Virtual Machine Wizard
• Virtual Disk Wizard

5. Click OK.

Using the Registry

To configure the above setting via the registry, use these steps:

1. Launch Regedit.exe and navigate to the following location:

2. Create a REG_DWORD value named Locks

3. Double-click Locks and set its Value data accordingly (See table below.)

To disable multiple items, simply add the values. For example, to implement the restrictions 1-3, add the three values (which becomes 0x00A). To disable all the features, set it’s value data as 0x02B.

(Thanks to the Virtual PC Guy’s WebLog for the above info.)

If a limited user tries to access the restricted features, the following message is shown:

Related Posts

• Sysinternals Desktops – Organize Your Applications on Up to Four Virtual Desktops
• How to Run Windows Virtual PC and XP Mode in a PC Without HAV Support?
• Create PDF Files From Office 2007 Programs Using Microsoft Save as PDF or XPS Add-In
• Microsoft Hardware-Assisted Virtualization Detection Tool Determines if CPU Supports Virtualization
• Disk2vhd Utility Creates VHD Images of Physical Disks

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to our RSS feed! We feature Tips, Troubleshooting information, Scripts and Utilities for Microsoft Windows Operating Systems!

Prefer an E-mail subscription?

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner