Running Window$ Spyware on Linux the Easy Way With QEMU

Below are my notes for getting winxp running in qemu for linux with internet access.

This is something I've done so I can do my taxes on linux - without the hassle of building a windows machine.

As you know - I refuse to run windows on any of my machines -- but in a VM -- its OK.

QEMU is a rock solid open source virtual machine that supports tons of OSs on both the guest and the host side of things.

Its not a speed demon -- but its good enough for the basics like tax software, etc....

1) Installing with a winxp home cdrom in the cd drive

First create an image file where the virtual windoze will live:
qemu-img create winxp.img -f raw 20G

Next, boot the windows cd in qemu -- using the image file as its "hard drive":
qemu -hda winxp.img -cdrom /dev/cdrom -boot d -localtime -net nic -net user

You'll see windows install as you'd expect -- took like 2 hours for me.

2) Setting up the internet access (lazy way)

Boot windows in qemu as follows:
qemu -k en-us -hda wxp.img -boot c -net nic -net user

Once windows loads up;
Click on
--> Start
--> Control Panel
--> Network Connections
--> Right Click on 'Local Area Connection' icon
--> Select Properties
--> Select TCP/IP
--> Click on Properties button

--> Select "Obtain an IP Address Automatically"
--> Enter 10.0.2.3 in the DNS server address
--> Click 'OK'

Screen shot of the windows network setting above is attached.

You should now be connected to the internet!















3) Run windows and install all your spyware using:

qemu -k en-us -hda wxp.img -boot c -net nic -net user

Final NOTES:

I used to use a commercial product called win4lin to do all this and get my taxes done. However - it turns out win4lin uses QEMU! Har - har - har!

A screenshot of me using qemu is attached, too.