Virtual PC 2007, just released for free download, supports Windows Vista guest and host OSs, 64-bit Windows Vista as a host OS, and features some performance and improvements over Virtual PC 2004.

Virtual PC enables users to run multiple "guest" OSs in emulated computers (virtual machines) on top of a single "host" OS. This in turn enables users to run applications that might not be compatible with the host OS, and to perform software testing, debugging, and evaluation without disturbing the host OS configuration.

Virtual PC 2007 runs on Windows XP (Professional and Tablet PC Editions only) and on Windows Vista (Business, Enterprise and Ultimate editions only). Guest OSs include IBM OS/2 Warp Version 4 (with additional fixes), Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows 2000 Professional, Windows XP, and Windows Vista Enterprise, Business, and Ultimate. Virtual PC 2007 does not support 64-bit guest OSs.

The Virtual PC 2007 download and further information are available at www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/virtualpc.

Microsoft virtualization products and strategy are summarized in "Changes to Server Virtualization Roadmap" on page 14 of the Jan. 2006 Update and "Virtual Server Free, Linux Guests Supported" on page 5 of the June 2006 Update.