How to Create Virtual Machine Shortcuts in Virtual PC

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

Create a Virtual Machine Shortcut

To create a virtual machine shortcut, follow these steps:

1. Start Virtual PC.
2. In the Virtual PC list, click the virtual machine for which you want to make a shortcut.
3. Drag the virtual machine that you selected in step 2 to the desktop.

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 commands in the Target box of the shortcut. For example, when you use the -noshow switch, the virtual machine starts in a minimized window. Additionally, when you use the -fullscreen switch, the virtual machine starts in full-screen mode.

For information about Virtual PC command-line commands, see the "More Information" section of this article. To modify the command-line commands in a virtual machine shortcut, follow these steps:

1. Right-click the virtual machine shortcut that you want to modify, and then click Properties.
2. 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 command, type the following text in the Target box: "drive:\Program Files\Connectix\Connectix Virtual PC\Virtual PC.exe" -pc "YourVirtualMachineName" -launch -fullscreen

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

• pc
  Use pc to target a PC in the PC list for an action.
  
  Example: drive:\Program Files\Connectix\Connectix Virtual PC\Virtual PC.exe" -pc "YourVirtualMachineName" -launch
• launch
  Use launch to start the targeted PC.
  
  Example: drive:\Program Files\Connectix\Connectix Virtual PC\Virtual PC.exe" -pc "YourVirtualMachineName" -launch
• fullscreen
  Use fullscreen to start the targeted PC in full-screen mode.
  
  Example: drive:\Program Files\Connectix\Connectix Virtual PC\Virtual PC.exe" -pc "YourVirtualMachineName" -launch -fullscreen
• nofullscreen
  Use nofullscreen to start the targeted PC in windowed mode.
  
  Example: drive:\Program Files\Connectix\Connectix Virtual PC\Virtual PC.exe" -pc "YourVirtualMachineName" -launch -nofullscreen
• noshow
  Use noshow to hide the targeted PC by minimizing its window.
  
  Example: drive:\Program Files\Connectix\Connectix Virtual PC\Virtual PC.exe" -pc "YourVirtualMachineName" -launch -noshow
• show
  Use show to reveal the targeted PC by restoring its window.
  
  Example: drive:\Program Files\Connectix\Connectix Virtual PC\Virtual PC.exe" -pc "YourVirtualMachineName" -launch -show
• pause
  Use pause to suspend operation of the targeted PC.
  
  Example: drive:\Program Files\Connectix\Connectix Virtual PC\Virtual PC.exe" -pc "YourVirtualMachineName" -launch -pause
• nopause
  Use nopause to resume the targeted PC from pause.
  
  Example: drive:\Program Files\Connectix\Connectix Virtual PC\Virtual PC.exe" -pc "YourVirtualMachineName" -launch -nopause