Problem sharing files between a XP VM and the host

Question

Problem sharing files between a XP VM and the host

Fernando jtmrmc 0

Hello everyone

I have Windows 11 Pro. I bought it with the main objective of using Hyper-V in order to run a Windows XP virtual machine.

I need this because I need to modernize/update some old databases I made in the 2000s that used software that only

works/run on Windows XP.

I would like to copy/share a folder from inside the virtual environment (of Hyper-V) to the host computer and vice versa as needed.

I would love to create data in the virtual environment and take the data with me on a flash drive, mainly to

copy files from the Virtual Machine to the host and vice versa as needed. I have looked for help in the internet but i was not able

to find any helpful tips. Also i confess i do not have time enough to read through all the necessary documentation.

Sorry about that.

Fernando jtmrmc 0 Reputation points

2025-04-15T17:11:46.7366667+00:00
Just to point out a couple of things:

I was able to install Windows XP SP3 in the virtual machine

I was able to use internet explorer after i used the Default Switch and connected it to the Legacy Network Adapter

As Internet Explorer from XP VM is very old technology, although i could have the google.com web page displayed, everytime a did a search, i got results but none of the links worked: page cannot be displayed.

I tried to download another browser but same problem, page cannot be displayed...

I tried to access OneDrive but same problem... Internet Explorer is really really old.

I tried to create a flash drive using "New Hardisk" and select *.vhdx file but XP VM does not recognise it

I tried to create a Hard disk using "New hardisk" and select *.vhd file but XP VM does not recognise it also.

So any help or suggestions will be much appriciated

Thank you for your time reading all this

Fernando
Fernando jtmrmc 0 Reputation points

2025-04-15T17:14:01.3833333+00:00

Just to say that after i created the hard disks files i connected them to the SCSI controler but that did not work as well
Fernando jtmrmc 0 Reputation points

2025-04-15T17:19:56.27+00:00

Just to add that i ahve connecte the hard disks files (*.vhdx and *.vhd) to the SCSI controller but that did not work either

I treid this link https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/tags/280/hyper-v but this did not work too.
essjae 461 Reputation points

2025-04-16T14:40:30.0766667+00:00

XP has no supported browsers for modern internet, and you really don't want XP on the internet anyway.

Modern versions of Windows don't support the same version of SMB as XP does. It's a big security risk. There are ways to reduce your SMB level on Win11 (Control Panel >> Programs >> Turn Windows features on or off >> SMB 1.0/CIFS File Sharing Support). **this is not a secure method anymore and reduces your host's network security.

A USB flash drive is unlikely to "just work" on XP. IIRC, this requires you to have enhanced mode enabled. You can get older XP IC from older versions of Hyper-V and install them in XP.

(https://smudj.wordpress.com/hyper-v-vmguest-iso-for-older-windows-oses-in-win10-2016/)

Creating a another VHD for file transfer probably the best way to do what you want. When you create a new VHD and attach it to the XP VM, did you initialize it and format it? That's required. This is probably the safest way to transfer files. After you initialize and format the VHD in XP, copy your files to/from it, unmount it, and then re-mount it in the host OS.
essjae 461 Reputation points

2025-04-16T14:40:53.72+00:00

this is just the top link to the hyper-v group, not a specific thread.
Fernando jtmrmc 0 Reputation points

2025-04-16T16:44:19.8566667+00:00

@essjae Thank you for your help. I had already used the vmguest.iso file before in the XP vm to solve a problem with the vertical movement of the mouse being switched, executing vmguest solved it. I also tried your suggestion to create a new *.VHD type of file with the option "New/Hard disk" and then select a fixed size (first option) then "apply" creates the *.vhd file and supposedly formats and initializes it in the process (right?), then i go and add it to the SCSI controller in the Settings of the XP vm and then i go directly to start the XP vm but the problem is that this XP virtual machine does not recognise the new hard disk... I do not have the minimal idea why this happens...
essjae 461 Reputation points

2025-04-16T17:00:01.7833333+00:00

No, creating a VHD or VHDx does not initialize or format, it is just an empty hard disk to XP.
essjae 461 Reputation points

2025-04-16T17:27:17.6366667+00:00

The Hyper-V SCSI controller is not supported in XP, you need to add the VHD while the VM is powered off to the IDE controller, controller 0, device 1.
Fernando jtmrmc 0 Reputation points

2025-04-16T18:00:50.4033333+00:00

@essjae Now i get it: I went to computer management/disk management in the XP vm and found the disk there. So i created a partition and formated it and now it already shows up in the XP vm. So, thank you so much for your advice! Just one more thing, an important one: you stated: "After you initialize and format the VHD in XP, copy your files to/from it, unmount it, and then re-mount it in the host OS." Forgive my ignorance but where and how do i unmount it in xp (right click the disk in file explorer does not show an eject button and in disk managment there is no option to unmount the volume - or do i use the mountvol command in a command prompt?), and where and how do i re-mount in the host - do i use the mountvol command also and point it to the *.vhd file? can you give an example of the sintax of this mountvol command? Never used it before... So sorry to bother you with my ignorance. Meanwhile i tried to unmount the VHD in the command prompt of th XP vm but i'm having lots of trouble finding the correct sintax even after reading the online help provided by mountvol /? i tried various versions of the command but the most i could get is this response "The directory is not empty" in reply to this command:

mountvol E: \?\Volume{f1dd49ea-1aea-11f0-b6cf-00155d001208}\

The following variation of this command will give me "The network path was not found"

mountvol \\E:\Volume{f1dd49ea-1aea-11f0-b6cf-00155d001208}\ /D

Please, please help

Thank you for your time!!!
essjae 461 Reputation points

2025-04-16T20:48:29.5366667+00:00

To unmount from the VM, shut it down, then go to Settings and remove. Then you can double-click and mount it on the host. There may be a way to unmount/mount via powershell, but I'm not sure.
Fernando jtmrmc 0 Reputation points

2025-04-16T21:06:15.8233333+00:00

@essjae Thank you so much. Meanwhile i found out that in the host, if i right click over the *vhd file there is the option to mount. To dismount it's right click on a file explorer and click eject.

I will try now the process to unmount the vhd drive in the VM.
Gianni Turri 5 Reputation points

2025-04-16T21:50:58.9366667+00:00

Did you try a Windows 10 32 bit virtual machine to run your software?

Please share the name of this software!
Fernando jtmrmc 0 Reputation points

2025-04-17T12:20:42.28+00:00

@Gianni Turri Hello. Thank you for your question. I did try to run Delphi 3 Client/Server in a real Windows 10 Host but it stoped right at the beginning of the installation process reporting "can not install this software"...
Gianni Turri 5 Reputation points

2025-04-17T13:53:04.67+00:00
Is exactly this the software we are talking about?

https://winworldpc.com/product/delphi/3x

The error you are reporting happens on a 64 bit Windows but the installation should work flawlessly on a 32 bit Windows.

Anyway you should be able to install it also on 64 bit Windows but you need to follow this guide.

The Delphi 3 Client/Server installer include a 16-bit setup launcher, even though the Delphi 3 IDE and compiler themselves are 32-bit.

This was a common setup with InstallShield 5.x or older, where the stub loader was 16-bit to support both old and new systems.

WineVDM (OTVDM) can help you run the Delphi 3 installer on 64-bit Windows, because the installer uses a 16-bit stub like "setup.exe".

That stub fails to run on 64-bit Windows with a "This app can’t run on your PC" or "unsupported 16-bit application" error.

WineVDM (OTVDM) can intercept and run that 16-bit launcher, which may then spawn a working 32-bit setup process.

download WineVDM (OTVDM) from GitHub: https://github.com/otya128/winevdm/releases

extract it in C:\OTVDM\

locate the various setup.exe you need to install

create a shortcut to every setup.exe you need to install

edit every shortcut, put C:\OTVDM\otvdm.exe at the left, something like this:

C:\OTVDM\otvdmw.exe "E:\Install\Delphi\Borland Delphi Client Server Suite 3.0\INSTALL\SETUP.EXE"

save the modified shortcut and run it

Don't do that for install.exe in the root installation folder.

This helps launching the installers and once the real setup runs (which is 32-bit), your Windows system should handle it natively.

Delphi then should run natively because it is a 32 bit app, fully supported in 64 bit Windows.

I use it successfully with Windows 11 Pro 64-bit running MS Foxpro for Windows 2.6a and MS Money 2000, both from 1998/1999.

(Please read my comments/answers online because often I update/correct them!)
Fernando jtmrmc 0 Reputation points

2025-04-18T10:36:28.7633333+00:00

@Gianni Turri Hello again. Thank you, thank you so much(!!) for your quick and kind answer! Much obliged.

Citation/quote: "Is exactly this the software we are talking about? " - YES it is! I even made the download from the WinWorld Forum although i have the original CD. That was an open eye experience to find this forum. Thank you for that.

Citation/quote: "The error you are reporting happens on a 64 bit Windows but the installation should work flawlessly on a 32 bit Windows." - The problem arises with the BDE (Borland Database Engine). It simply it's not compatible with Windows 10. "A Borland $2108 error indicates a failure of the Borland Database Engine (BDE) to properly initialize. Possible causes: You are attempting to install the Training Company on a PC that does not have a "production" installation of DBA NextGeneration."

Citation/quote: "The error you are reporting happens on a 64 bit Windows but the installation should work flawlessly on a 32 bit Windows." - I was trying to create a VM with Windows 7 32bit but currently, the download (Windows-ISO-Downloader.exe) for windows 7 ( it has been discontinued) so i will probably stick with Windows XP 32 bit (as long as i can install Delphi Client server suite 3.0 on it).

Citation/quote: "Anyway you should be able to install it also on 64 bit Windows but you need to follow this guide." - I will try! Thank you and have a nice Easter!
Gianni Turri 5 Reputation points

2025-04-18T13:41:23.2533333+00:00

To simplify the use of this tool, after you have extracted it in C:\OTVDM\ double-click on "Install (no console)" and authorize it.

From now on, you can run freely the main Delphi install.exe and eventually uninstall without problems.

But don't install in C:\Program Files\ or in C:\Program Files (x86)\

instead choose a folder like C:\OldPrograms\ or any name you like but always in C:\

otherwise you will surely encounter write rights problems during the use of the software.

Remember that this is a very old software written many years before many safety restrictions were put in place in Windows.
Fernando jtmrmc 0 Reputation points

2025-04-19T11:38:43.3633333+00:00

@Gianni Turri and @essjae Hello my kind friends. Thank you so much for your help.

I was able do solve the problem of the installation through this link

https://www.techrepublic.com/article/make-usb-devices-accessible-to-a-windows-xp-virtual-machine/

Now the XP vm can use the usb ports, hd's, dvd's on the host and maybe even the printer (haven't tried this yet). I can read, modify, move, copy and write files at will in any of these devices using the XP vm. It is done through a remote desktop connection initiated by the host.

Thank you so much and have a nice Easter.

1 answer

Your answer

Fernando jtmrmc 0 Reputation points

2025-04-15T17:11:46.7366667+00:00

Just to point out a couple of things:

I was able to install Windows XP SP3 in the virtual machine

I was able to use internet explorer after i used the Default Switch and connected it to the Legacy Network Adapter

As Internet Explorer from XP VM is very old technology, although i could have the google.com web page displayed, everytime a did a search, i got results but none of the links worked: page cannot be displayed.

I tried to download another browser but same problem, page cannot be displayed...

I tried to access OneDrive but same problem... Internet Explorer is really really old.

I tried to create a flash drive using "New Hardisk" and select *.vhdx file but XP VM does not recognise it

I tried to create a Hard disk using "New hardisk" and select *.vhd file but XP VM does not recognise it also.

So any help or suggestions will be much appriciated

Thank you for your time reading all this

Fernando
Fernando jtmrmc 0 Reputation points

2025-04-15T17:14:01.3833333+00:00

Just to say that after i created the hard disks files i connected them to the SCSI controler but that did not work as well
Fernando jtmrmc 0 Reputation points

2025-04-15T17:19:56.27+00:00

Just to add that i ahve connecte the hard disks files (*.vhdx and *.vhd) to the SCSI controller but that did not work either

I treid this link https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/tags/280/hyper-v but this did not work too.
essjae 461 Reputation points

2025-04-16T14:40:30.0766667+00:00

XP has no supported browsers for modern internet, and you really don't want XP on the internet anyway.

Modern versions of Windows don't support the same version of SMB as XP does. It's a big security risk. There are ways to reduce your SMB level on Win11 (Control Panel >> Programs >> Turn Windows features on or off >> SMB 1.0/CIFS File Sharing Support). **this is not a secure method anymore and reduces your host's network security.

A USB flash drive is unlikely to "just work" on XP. IIRC, this requires you to have enhanced mode enabled. You can get older XP IC from older versions of Hyper-V and install them in XP.

(https://smudj.wordpress.com/hyper-v-vmguest-iso-for-older-windows-oses-in-win10-2016/)

Creating a another VHD for file transfer probably the best way to do what you want. When you create a new VHD and attach it to the XP VM, did you initialize it and format it? That's required. This is probably the safest way to transfer files. After you initialize and format the VHD in XP, copy your files to/from it, unmount it, and then re-mount it in the host OS.
essjae 461 Reputation points

2025-04-16T14:40:53.72+00:00

this is just the top link to the hyper-v group, not a specific thread.
Fernando jtmrmc 0 Reputation points

2025-04-16T16:44:19.8566667+00:00

@essjae Thank you for your help. I had already used the vmguest.iso file before in the XP vm to solve a problem with the vertical movement of the mouse being switched, executing vmguest solved it. I also tried your suggestion to create a new *.VHD type of file with the option "New/Hard disk" and then select a fixed size (first option) then "apply" creates the *.vhd file and supposedly formats and initializes it in the process (right?), then i go and add it to the SCSI controller in the Settings of the XP vm and then i go directly to start the XP vm but the problem is that this XP virtual machine does not recognise the new hard disk... I do not have the minimal idea why this happens...
essjae 461 Reputation points

2025-04-16T17:00:01.7833333+00:00

No, creating a VHD or VHDx does not initialize or format, it is just an empty hard disk to XP.
essjae 461 Reputation points

2025-04-16T17:27:17.6366667+00:00

The Hyper-V SCSI controller is not supported in XP, you need to add the VHD while the VM is powered off to the IDE controller, controller 0, device 1.
Fernando jtmrmc 0 Reputation points

2025-04-16T18:00:50.4033333+00:00

@essjae Now i get it: I went to computer management/disk management in the XP vm and found the disk there. So i created a partition and formated it and now it already shows up in the XP vm. So, thank you so much for your advice! Just one more thing, an important one: you stated: "After you initialize and format the VHD in XP, copy your files to/from it, unmount it, and then re-mount it in the host OS." Forgive my ignorance but where and how do i unmount it in xp (right click the disk in file explorer does not show an eject button and in disk managment there is no option to unmount the volume - or do i use the mountvol command in a command prompt?), and where and how do i re-mount in the host - do i use the mountvol command also and point it to the *.vhd file? can you give an example of the sintax of this mountvol command? Never used it before... So sorry to bother you with my ignorance. Meanwhile i tried to unmount the VHD in the command prompt of th XP vm but i'm having lots of trouble finding the correct sintax even after reading the online help provided by mountvol /? i tried various versions of the command but the most i could get is this response "The directory is not empty" in reply to this command:

mountvol E: \?\Volume{f1dd49ea-1aea-11f0-b6cf-00155d001208}\

The following variation of this command will give me "The network path was not found"

mountvol \\E:\Volume{f1dd49ea-1aea-11f0-b6cf-00155d001208}\ /D

Please, please help

Thank you for your time!!!
essjae 461 Reputation points

2025-04-16T20:48:29.5366667+00:00

To unmount from the VM, shut it down, then go to Settings and remove. Then you can double-click and mount it on the host. There may be a way to unmount/mount via powershell, but I'm not sure.
Fernando jtmrmc 0 Reputation points

2025-04-16T21:06:15.8233333+00:00

@essjae Thank you so much. Meanwhile i found out that in the host, if i right click over the *vhd file there is the option to mount. To dismount it's right click on a file explorer and click eject.

I will try now the process to unmount the vhd drive in the VM.
Gianni Turri 5 Reputation points

2025-04-16T21:50:58.9366667+00:00

Did you try a Windows 10 32 bit virtual machine to run your software?

Please share the name of this software!
Fernando jtmrmc 0 Reputation points

2025-04-17T12:20:42.28+00:00

@Gianni Turri Hello. Thank you for your question. I did try to run Delphi 3 Client/Server in a real Windows 10 Host but it stoped right at the beginning of the installation process reporting "can not install this software"...
Gianni Turri 5 Reputation points

2025-04-17T13:53:04.67+00:00

Is exactly this the software we are talking about?

https://winworldpc.com/product/delphi/3x

The error you are reporting happens on a 64 bit Windows but the installation should work flawlessly on a 32 bit Windows.

Anyway you should be able to install it also on 64 bit Windows but you need to follow this guide.

The Delphi 3 Client/Server installer include a 16-bit setup launcher, even though the Delphi 3 IDE and compiler themselves are 32-bit.

This was a common setup with InstallShield 5.x or older, where the stub loader was 16-bit to support both old and new systems.

WineVDM (OTVDM) can help you run the Delphi 3 installer on 64-bit Windows, because the installer uses a 16-bit stub like "setup.exe".

That stub fails to run on 64-bit Windows with a "This app can’t run on your PC" or "unsupported 16-bit application" error.

WineVDM (OTVDM) can intercept and run that 16-bit launcher, which may then spawn a working 32-bit setup process.

download WineVDM (OTVDM) from GitHub: https://github.com/otya128/winevdm/releases

extract it in C:\OTVDM\

locate the various setup.exe you need to install

create a shortcut to every setup.exe you need to install

edit every shortcut, put C:\OTVDM\otvdm.exe at the left, something like this:

C:\OTVDM\otvdmw.exe "E:\Install\Delphi\Borland Delphi Client Server Suite 3.0\INSTALL\SETUP.EXE"

save the modified shortcut and run it

Don't do that for install.exe in the root installation folder.

This helps launching the installers and once the real setup runs (which is 32-bit), your Windows system should handle it natively.

Delphi then should run natively because it is a 32 bit app, fully supported in 64 bit Windows.

I use it successfully with Windows 11 Pro 64-bit running MS Foxpro for Windows 2.6a and MS Money 2000, both from 1998/1999.

(Please read my comments/answers online because often I update/correct them!)
Fernando jtmrmc 0 Reputation points

2025-04-18T10:36:28.7633333+00:00

@Gianni Turri Hello again. Thank you, thank you so much(!!) for your quick and kind answer! Much obliged.

Citation/quote: "Is exactly this the software we are talking about? " - YES it is! I even made the download from the WinWorld Forum although i have the original CD. That was an open eye experience to find this forum. Thank you for that.

Citation/quote: "The error you are reporting happens on a 64 bit Windows but the installation should work flawlessly on a 32 bit Windows." - The problem arises with the BDE (Borland Database Engine). It simply it's not compatible with Windows 10. "A Borland $2108 error indicates a failure of the Borland Database Engine (BDE) to properly initialize. Possible causes: You are attempting to install the Training Company on a PC that does not have a "production" installation of DBA NextGeneration."

Citation/quote: "The error you are reporting happens on a 64 bit Windows but the installation should work flawlessly on a 32 bit Windows." - I was trying to create a VM with Windows 7 32bit but currently, the download (Windows-ISO-Downloader.exe) for windows 7 ( it has been discontinued) so i will probably stick with Windows XP 32 bit (as long as i can install Delphi Client server suite 3.0 on it).

Citation/quote: "Anyway you should be able to install it also on 64 bit Windows but you need to follow this guide." - I will try! Thank you and have a nice Easter!
Gianni Turri 5 Reputation points

2025-04-18T13:41:23.2533333+00:00

To simplify the use of this tool, after you have extracted it in C:\OTVDM\ double-click on "Install (no console)" and authorize it.

From now on, you can run freely the main Delphi install.exe and eventually uninstall without problems.

But don't install in C:\Program Files\ or in C:\Program Files (x86)\

instead choose a folder like C:\OldPrograms\ or any name you like but always in C:\

otherwise you will surely encounter write rights problems during the use of the software.

Remember that this is a very old software written many years before many safety restrictions were put in place in Windows.
Fernando jtmrmc 0 Reputation points

2025-04-19T11:38:43.3633333+00:00

@Gianni Turri and @essjae Hello my kind friends. Thank you so much for your help.

I was able do solve the problem of the installation through this link

https://www.techrepublic.com/article/make-usb-devices-accessible-to-a-windows-xp-virtual-machine/

Now the XP vm can use the usb ports, hd's, dvd's on the host and maybe even the printer (haven't tried this yet). I can read, modify, move, copy and write files at will in any of these devices using the XP vm. It is done through a remote desktop connection initiated by the host.

Thank you so much and have a nice Easter.

Answer 1

@Gianni Turri and @essjae Hello my kind friends. Thank you so much for your help.

I was able do solve the problem of the installation through this link

https://www.techrepublic.com/article/make-usb-devices-accessible-to-a-windows-xp-virtual-machine/

Now the XP vm can use the usb ports, hd's, dvd's on the host and maybe even the printer (haven't tried this yet). I can read, modify, move, copy and write files at will in any of these devices using the XP vm. It is done through a remote desktop connection initiated by the host.

Thank you so much and have a nice Easter.

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Problem sharing files between a XP VM and the host

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