(1) (virtual PC) A PC that runs in a virtualized environment hosting multiple operating systems, each with its own applications. See
desktop virtualization.
(2) (Windows Virtual PC) Virtual machine software from Microsoft that enables multiple operating systems to run simultaneously in a Windows 7 machine. Windows Virtual PC is a free product that was introduced the same year as Windows 7. Virtual PC was developed by Connectix, which Microsoft acquired in 2003 and was originally Connectix Virtual PC. Subsequent versions were Microsoft Virtual PC 2004 and Microsoft Virtual PC 2007.
Windows Virtual PC was superseded by Microsoft Virtual Server for servers and later Hyper-V, the latter running in both servers and desktops. See
Microsoft Virtual Server,
Hyper-V,
Windows XP Mode and
Virtual PC for Mac.