There was a period in your life when you couldn’t even imagine having a different operating system on a single desktop. But, when human meets the technology, he always wants more from it. So it didn’t stop there. Expectations of the different operating system on a single machine were expected from the developers. At some moment in life, it happens when users like you are not satisfied with the single operating system on your machine. Due to today’s needs and development, you want multiple operating systems on your desktop. That is the time when we introduce the role of the virtual machine in the world. Let’s say you have Windows on your desktop but you also want Linux operating system due to increasing needs and work, then you can have both on the same desktop by using the technology of virtual machines. Also, not only that but you can also create combinations of several operating systems including the Chrome OS, Linux, Solaris, etc.
Well, a virtual machine we can definitely say is a kind of application that enables you to run many operating systems at a single time and on the same physical hardware machine. It runs in a secure and isolated environment. Machines were started to make so compatible that multiple operating systems could be installed on a single machine in a very easy and simple way. In simple terms, you can run multiple operating systems simultaneously without creating any kind of problem. For example, you can run Apple’s latest operating system and Windows together using a virtual machine. And if you think virtual machine concept is limited to the desktop, then you are definitely wrong. Virtuality concept is now there on your smartphone devices as well.
In simple terms, your system’s memory is being divided into different segments having huge advantages. You can have in respect of isolating experimental code. It actually creates a lot different in our lives, and that is a very simple way. Abstraction of things is also very easy.
Need and importance?
When you are actually running two operating systems at the same time, that means it is the need of the time. According to the world of technology which is increasing at such a fast pace, there is more to virtualization. Paralleling you would be able to handle many things at a single point of time. Like the Apple Mail and Safari, this is the best example. In the corporate world, the virtual machine plays such an important role.
Best Virtual Machine Software for Windows
1. VirtualBox
We can definitely say that VirtualBox is one of the best virtual machine software. The best of this is that it is free virtual machine software. It contains brimming and some terrific features which we can’t even imagine. It is a very powerful virtual machine software. It has more than just switching capabilities within the host desktop. Also, it is available on all the major platforms. This software also offers 3D virtualization. Not only this but also multiple screen resolutions and good hardware support. It features plain-text XML files for easy navigation. It is designed to aid users with sharing folders and drives among the guests and the host operating system. This software is worth trying for the Windows users.
2. Microsoft Hyper-V
This is again the free virtual machine software. It actually comes as a part of the Windows 10 Pro and the Windows server. And also, there is no additional cost to the Windows user. It has some very basic features and novice users can easily use it and don’t require professionals and experts. It creates a virtual server environment for beginners. Guest operating system actually supports Windows Server, Windows XP, Linux, etc. There is no virtual GPU support for the Linux specially and it is not even great.
3. VMware Workstation
For the VMware Workstation software is specifically used for the Windows operating system. It also permits the advanced level of 3D solutions and eliminating image and video degradation. It is a software with a robust set of functions. It actually covers a wide range of virtualization need. We can consider this in the list of best virtual machine software. It allows open standards for the virtual machine and the ability to create and run the virtual machine from competing vendors within that same product. It has some great and advanced features which make it even more interesting to use. It is totally free for personal use. And again the best part that it supports GPU virtualization. For more advanced features you need to pay at times to access them. VMware Workstation is a very mature product and delivers very good kind of sophisticated implementations. Paid is basically for the business use.
4. Windows Virtual PC
This software is listed under the category of freeware software. It is a free virtual machine kind of software which actually a very lightweight software application and doesn’t harm your desktop in any way possible. It actually gives an original Windows experience and runs very fast. This virtual PC for Windows is available for 32-bit Windows 7 and 64-bit Windows 7 desktops. But this can only un 32-bit Windows guest operating system.
5. VMware Player
Like Windows Virtual PC, VMware Player can also be counted under the category of freeware software for the virtual machine. Basically, for the personal use this is a freeware and will definitely allow you to mount and run the virtual machines directly from your Windows desktop is the very easy and simple way. Although, from an ISO it cannot create new virtual machines. Still, above all this, it is a powerful kind of a virtual machine software. Above all this, there is a greater version of VMware Player called as VMware Player Plus version which requires a purchasing of the license.
Best Virtual Machine Software for Mac
6. Parallels Desktop 14
Parallels Desktop 14 is listed under the category of best virtual machine. It can be definitely said that it is one of the best software for Mac users in terms of a virtual machine. It is actually unparalleled. This updated software sets fit for the recent version of Mac operating system. It allows emulating Windows 10, 8, 7, XP as a kind of the guest operating system. Multiple applications from the different operating systems can run simultaneously without creating any problem. This software has some very simple and basic functions and features. Also, specific features for the novice uses are provided and making it easier to use. It also supports advanced 3D graphics and the retina displays. It also provides tools for moving the files and folders in between the operating systems. It allows accessing the cloud storage easily. It provides quick access and full performance. It is very powerful as well.
7. Boot Camp
The most important note to be understood is that Boot Camp itself is not a virtual machine itself and hence requires some other software to do the application of that of a virtual machine. So it requires Parallels 14 to complete the task of that of a virtual machine. Also, you need to restart your desktop whenever you change or switch the operating system. You will need to boot the Windows directly when changing the operating system. This virtual machine software allows you to set up a partition on your hard drive so that you can easily install the Windows operating system of your kind of choice. The hard disk space actually splits to half and you will not be able to run the best out of the Mac operating system. This can be considered a disadvantage. Windows via Boot Camp actually leads you to the best experience than the normal other virtual machine software.
8. VMware Fusion
This VMware Fusion virtual machine software is basically for those who are wanting to run a restricted kind of virtual machine. It is created using the Pro or also called as Fusion Pro. VMware Fusion is designed for the Mac operating system. It is a free trial and then you have to pay for purchasing it permanently. But the basic version is free. Purchasing can be done for the Fusion Pro, required for the business purpose or want to access the advanced features. It works almost the same as the VMware Workstation for the Windows. It also contains some specific functionality of Mac. It also has a mode called as Unity Mode, which actually helps in hiding the Windows desktop interface in such an easy manner. It is compatible with Mac operating system with version 10.9 and above.
9. Wine 2.0
This kind of virtual machine software allows running Windows app without the Windows operating system itself. It translates the programming routines called as APIs into the Windows apps. So there is direct talk to the Mac operating system. Also, you don’t require extra memory to run Windows. It can provide more than just playing the role of a virtual machine. It can help in games and graphics apps as well. This virtual machine software for Mac can be used by the professionals and the experts and not by the novice users. It is a bit of a challenge to run this software. For the experts, this is one of the best virtual machine software. It is considered as an open-source program. And you can download it for free. It doesn’t require even the copy of Windows as well and can run without it and doesn’t create any problem as well.
10. Veertu
This virtual machine software, called as Vertu is free virtual software. It being free for Mac operating system enables you to run Windows and Linux operating systems on your Mac operating system. This actually helps you to design, create and manage the Windows virtual machines on your Mac desktop in very easy and sufficient way. It can be said as a virtualization solution. It delivers to the users, may it be professionals for the novice users a responsive experience. It is not so hard to deal with. It has a framework which takes care of the resource optimization.
WRAPPING UP!!
At the end of the conclusion, we will definitely wrap by saying download them by clicking on the links provided and also they are worth trying. Not only that but you should be aware of the recent technologies of the world and should know how to use the memory in the most efficient way possible.
So what are you waiting for? Go and download it now and take the full experience of the virtual machine.