Can I VM to Windows 10 (already installed) from Mint?

[HRJ21]

Hi all,

I've been experimenting with Mint (my first Linux distro) for a few weeks now and I love it. It's my go to OS when I boot my laptop but I still need to boot with Windows sometimes to use some proprietary software for work. So I have Linux Mint and Windows 10 dual-booted but I would like to open windows in a virtual machine in Mint.

My question is: Is there a way for me to open windows in a virtual machine without me having to reinstall windows inside vm player? i.e., can I open my existing windows OS from vm player (or some other tool)?

I suspect the answer is no and that this is a stupid question.

Thanks
HRJ21

[Pjotr]

Better yet: you can download a free and fully legal VM with the Windows of your choosing, from Microsoft itself:
https://sites.google.com/site/easylinux ... ct/oldgrub

Good luck!

[Cosmo.]

I suppose that the OP wants to continue to work in the VM with exactly the settings and data, which he has at now in the physical installation. I doubt, that would be possible, as Windows stores some files and settings during the installation depend from the hardware, which would be obviously a different one in the VM. In any case I expect, that a new activation would be necessary because of the hardware differences.

[Riko]

Hi,

i used to do that with Windows XP. There you could define different Hardware profiles in windows to boot to. You could create a new HW profile within windows and use the physical disk as HD for your VM. When booting from VMplayer, select the new HW profile and it will install the correct drivers for the new HW. Don't know, if W10 still has this possibility. You should search the VMware website where I found instruction way back when!

However a word of caution: VMware claims and I can confirm that this is a pretty dangerous approach and might corrupt your windows installation. And in fact I blew mine a few times until I switched to a virtualized windows (not booting a physically installed one). No problems since then!

Good luck!

[Pierre]

there are ways to convert your existing windows system into a VM:
http://www.robolinux.org/downloads/
is just one way. ..

" C drive to VM support package" - which is a script file.
& which can be added to any Linux System - not just theirs.

[HRJ21]

Thanks!