Microsoft KB Archive/833142

= How to create virtual machine shortcuts in Virtual PC =

Article ID: 833142

Article Last Modified on 1/27/2004

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Virtual PC 2004

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IN THIS TASK

 * SUMMARY
 * Create a virtual machine shortcut
 * Modify the startup options of a virtual machine shortcut
 * Command-line options



SUMMARY
This step-by-step article describes how to create shortcuts to virtual machines that you have created in Microsoft Virtual PC 2004. You can start a particular virtual machine by using a shortcut. You can also use these shortcuts to start virtual machines that have various command-line options enabled.

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Create a virtual machine shortcut
To create a virtual machine shortcut, follow these steps:
 * 1) Start Virtual PC.
 * 2) In the Virtual PC console, click the virtual machine that you want to make a shortcut for.
 * 3) Drag the virtual machine that you selected in step 2 to the desktop of the host operating system.

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Modify the startup options of a virtual machine shortcut
You can start virtual machines that are running under Virtual PC in several different modes by using command-line options in the Target box of the shortcut. For example, when you use the -fullscreen option, the virtual machine starts in full-screen mode.

For more information about Virtual PC command-line options, see the &quot;Command-line options&quot; section of this article.

To modify the command-line options in a virtual machine shortcut, follow these steps:  Right-click the virtual machine shortcut that you want to modify, and then click Properties. In the Target box, type the command-line option that you want at the end of the path that appears in the box, and then click OK.

For example, if you want to use the -fullscreen command-line option, type the following text in the Target box:

&quot; :\Program Files\Microsoft Virtual PC\Virtual PC.exe&quot; -pc &quot; &quot; -launch -fullscreen

Note The path statement to the Virtual PC.exe file and the virtual machine name must be encased in quotation marks.

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Command-line options
This section describes some of the command-line options that are available in Virtual PC. The examples that are listed below show how to type the command-line options in the Target box of the shortcut.
 * pc

Use the pc option to specify a virtual machine in the virtual machine list for an action.

For example, type &quot; :\Program Files\Microsoft Virtual PC\Virtual PC.exe&quot; -pc &quot; &quot; -launch
 * launch

Use the launch option to start the virtual machine.

For example, type &quot; :\Program Files\Microsoft Virtual PC\Virtual PC.exe&quot; -pc &quot; &quot; -launch
 * fullscreen

Use the fullscreen option to open the virtual machine in full-screen mode or to switch the virtual machine that is running to full-screen mode.

For example, to open the virtual machine in full-screen mode, type &quot; :\Program Files\Microsoft Virtual PC\Virtual PC.exe&quot; -pc &quot; &quot; -launch -fullscreen

Or, to switch a virtual machine that is already running to full-screen mode, type &quot; :\Program Files\Microsoft Virtual PC\Virtual PC.exe&quot; -pc &quot; &quot; -fullscreen
 * window

Use the window option to switch the virtual machine to window mode.

For example, type &quot; :\Program Files\Microsoft Virtual PC\Virtual PC.exe&quot; -pc &quot; &quot; -window
 * pause

Use the pause option to suspend operation of the virtual machine.

For example, type &quot; :\Program Files\Microsoft Virtual PC\Virtual PC.exe&quot; -pc &quot; &quot; -pause
 * resume

Use the resume option to start the virtual machine again after you have have used the -pause option.

For example, type &quot; :\Program Files\Microsoft Virtual PC\Virtual PC.exe&quot; -pc &quot; &quot; -resume
 * help

Use the help option to display the &quot;Using the command line&quot; Help topic. This topic includes a complete list of the command-line options that are available.

For example, type &quot; :\Program Files\Microsoft Virtual PC\Virtual PC.exe&quot; -help

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Keywords: kbinfo KB833142

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