Using Virtual Machines Managers

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To run 8-bit DOS programs on a 64-bit computer, virtual machine managers may be used. The following applications are for consideration,

Hyper-V running Windows xp Professional
VirtualBox running Windows xp Professional and
DOSbox

Share the findings and then make up your mind which version to use.

Using Windows xp

Whilst Windows 7 offered uses the option of running Windows xp as a virtual machine, when running Windows 8 Professional, a Genuine Windows Key is required to run additional Windows OS. This article states that Windows xp can be run for free, but this is incorrect. The key supplied on the virtual disk is invalid.

Although Keys are advertised on the internet, I contacted Microsoft directly and after a few days, received an OEM key. Having a Genuine Windows Key allows security updates to be received.

Support for Windows XP is ending on April 8, 2014. If you're running this version after support ends, you won't get security updates for Windows.

The same is true for virus protection. The virus protection that you are running on the host computer only protects that one. I used Norton Internet Security, it comes with a 60 day trial.

BIOS Changes

The only change required on this computer was to enable Intel VT. - It was called "Intel Virtualization Technology" in my ASUS UEFI BIOS Utility. For full details see Set the BIOS.

Checking SLAT gave the following result.