Microsoft Announces Free Virtual PC

When desktop virtualization products were first released, they were considered by many to be nothing more than a tool for PC enthusiasts. Hard core IT administrators didn't give the product much thought early on, and they certainly didn't foresee the usefulness of the product in their every day work lives. But as VMware Workstation started dominating the market, Microsoft finally saw the opportunities that the desktop virtualization space offered and quickly ran out to acquire the IP of Connectix Corporation. And from that acquisition came the product now known as Microsoft Virtual PC.

Fast forward to today, and virtualization has become one of the biggest buzzwords in the IT community. And to the surprise of many, virtualization products are starting to become a free commodity.

Microsoft and VMware have been going back and forth these past few months making general announcements about reducing their virtualization offerings to the rock bottom prices of FREE!

Once again, Microsoft is making an announcement... this time, announcing that its long-running desktop virtualization platform, Microsoft Virtual PC 2004 SP1, is going to be available for download, absolutely free.

Microsoft is now working on their next desktop virtualization product, Virtual PC 2007. The next generation product is expected to offer enhanced performance as well as anticipated support for Microsoft Vista. And yes, for those of you playing at home, the next generation platform will also be freely distributed and available for download once released.

The question now remains, what will VMware do with Workstation? Will they continue to charge for this product or respond with its own price change? And what will happen with other companies who are trying to sell their own commercial virtualization platforms?

To find out more information and to download Microsoft Virtual PC 2004 SP1, go here.

Posted by David Marshall on July 12, 2006 04:49 PM