Question

Can a Virtual PC2007 VMC be locked down?

Asked by: SIT_Help

I've been experimenting with virtual PC 2007 and I was wondering if there was any way to lock down a vmc file so that the machine's configuration could not be changed.

Before anyone feels the need to say "get vdi" I just want to know if it's possible to do this on a stand alone system with VPC2007 installed?  If there's something I can do to the VMC file before distributing it that will prevent any changes from being made.

Thank you.

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Asked On
2009-06-23 at 06:40:02ID24514563
Tags

vpc2007

,

virtual pc 2007

,

vmc

,

lockdown

,

lock down

Topics

Virtualization

,

Windows XP Operating System

,

Microsoft Virtual Server

Participating Experts
4
Points
500
Comments
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Answers

 

by: bsavelkoulsPosted on 2009-06-23 at 06:46:47ID: 24691781

you could mark the .vmc file as read only in the properties of the file
this way it can't be edited.

 

by: garycasePosted on 2009-06-23 at 13:00:19ID: 24695560

The short answer is No, you can't prevent a user from modifying the file.    Marking it as read-only simply generates a message when you attempt to change it -- a simple click on the message will allow changes with no problem.

Doesn't help with Virtual PC, but one alternative that would do what you're asking is to use VMWare instead to create the virtual machine ... and to distribute it to the users with the free VMWare Player application ==> this only runs the virtual machines, and does not allow any configuration changes.    Works very nicely -- and although VMWare Workstation isn't free, VMWare Server is, and it can be used to create the virtual machines with no problem.

 

by: ashwin_kumar525Posted on 2009-06-23 at 16:03:53ID: 24697158

If there are multiple users logging in to the machine, then you can change the VMC file's security permissions to 'read and execute' which will not allow any other user to make the changes to the file.

The only challenge is that you have to make sure that NTFS permissions stay after moving them to a new machine. but as long as they are in the same machine or a folder which does not propagate the downwards, then you will be fine.

 

by: garycasePosted on 2009-06-23 at 16:10:58ID: 24697223

Clearly it can be done if the VMC is accessed via a network connection by simply sharing it without modification priviliges.    ... but the question was "...  if it's possible to do this on a stand alone system with VPC2007 ..."

 

by: dnilsonPosted on 2009-06-27 at 00:35:33ID: 24726668

What is it you are trying to lock down, the configuration of the VMC as seen by the hypervisr / host server, or the CONTENTS of the VMC, i.e. the configuration of the guest PC inside the VMC.

If tha latter look at

Windows SteadyState from Microsoft (free):
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/sharedaccess/default.mspx

Deep Freeze : http://www.faronics.com/html/deepfreeze.asp
Fortres : http://www.fortresgrand.com/

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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