{"id":8732,"date":"2020-05-14T13:59:39","date_gmt":"2020-05-14T13:59:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fhug.org.uk\/kb\/?post_type=kb_article&#038;p=8732"},"modified":"2021-03-09T17:43:05","modified_gmt":"2021-03-09T17:43:05","slug":"running-family-historian-on-a-virtual-machine","status":"publish","type":"kb_article","link":"https:\/\/www.fhug.org.uk\/kb\/kb-article\/running-family-historian-on-a-virtual-machine\/","title":{"rendered":"Running Family Historian on a Virtual Machine"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2 id=\"introduction\" class=\"sectionedit2\">Introduction<\/h2>\n<div class=\"level2\">\n<p>This advice has been obtained from <abbr title=\"\" data-original-title=\"Family Historian Users Group\">FHUG<\/abbr> members who have succeeded in installing <a class=\"wikilink1\" title=\"glossary:family_historian\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fhug.org.uk\/wiki\/doku.php?id=glossary:family_historian\">Family Historian<\/a> (<abbr title=\"\" data-original-title=\"Family Historian\">FH<\/abbr>) and <a class=\"wikilink1\" title=\"glossary:ancestral_sources\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fhug.org.uk\/wiki\/doku.php?id=glossary:ancestral_sources\">Ancestral Sources<\/a> (AS) into <a class=\"urlextern\" title=\"https:\/\/www.virtualbox.org\/\" href=\"https:\/\/www.virtualbox.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Oracle VirtualBox<\/a> for Mac <abbr title=\"\" data-original-title=\"Operating System\">OS<\/abbr> X Hosts. Using Bootcamp, Parallels or other Virtual OS emulation software should follow a similar procedure. These will all require a copy of Windows with a valid licence key.<\/p>\n<p>The following advice applies to:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"level1\">\n<div class=\"li\"><a class=\"urlextern\" title=\"https:\/\/www.virtualbox.org\/wiki\/Downloads\" href=\"https:\/\/www.virtualbox.org\/wiki\/Downloads\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">VirtualBox 6.1.x for OS X Hosts<\/a><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"level1\">\n<div class=\"li\"><a class=\"urlextern\" title=\"https:\/\/www.virtualbox.org\/wiki\/Downloads\" href=\"https:\/\/www.virtualbox.org\/wiki\/Downloads\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">VirtualBox 6.1.x Oracle VM VirtualBox Extension Pack<\/a><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Note that BootCamp is integral with Mac <abbr title=\"\" data-original-title=\"Operating System\">OS<\/abbr> X but only offers a dual-boot capability, that allows either Mac <abbr title=\"\" data-original-title=\"Operating System\">OS<\/abbr> X or Windows to run, but <em class=\"u\">not<\/em> both at the same time. Whereas, VirtualBox allows both Mac <abbr title=\"\" data-original-title=\"Operating System\">OS<\/abbr> X and Windows to run simultaneously, and to switch between them almost as easily as switching between programs.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"secedit editbutton_section editbutton_2\"><\/div>\n<h2 id=\"virtualbox_installation\" class=\"sectionedit3\">VirtualBox Installation<\/h2>\n<div class=\"level2\">\n<p>Double-click on the VirtualBox for <abbr title=\"\" data-original-title=\"Operating System\">OS<\/abbr> X Hosts installation file and a popup window will appear containing various items including:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"level1\">\n<div class=\"li\">VirtualBox.pkg installation file<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"level1\">\n<div class=\"li\">UserManual.pdf that can be copied\/dragged to a folder for an offline reference manual<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"level1\">\n<div class=\"li\">VirtualBox_Uninstall.tool that is for removing VirtualBox at some later date<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Double-Click to install the VirtualBox.pkg file, and supply your Mac <abbr title=\"\" data-original-title=\"Operating System\">OS<\/abbr> X Login Password to allow the installation to make necessary changes to the system.<\/p>\n<p>When complete, double-click to install the Oracle VM VirtualBox Extension Pack that adds various features to enable Guest Operating Systems such as Windows to communicate with the Mac <abbr title=\"\" data-original-title=\"Operating System\">OS<\/abbr> X hardware and external peripherals, and to share Mac Drives and User Folders, etc.<\/p>\n<p>Note: If Mac <abbr title=\"\" data-original-title=\"Operating System\">OS<\/abbr> X complains about launching either of the installation files when you double-click them \u201cbecause they are from an unknown source\u201d, then use the usual trick of holding down the Ctrl key whilst clicking on the file, and select Open from the options presented.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"secedit editbutton_section editbutton_3\"><\/div>\n<h2 id=\"create_virtual_machine\" class=\"sectionedit4\">Create <span class=\"search_hit\">Virtual<\/span> Machine<\/h2>\n<div class=\"level2\">\n<p>Perform the following steps to create the Windows <span class=\"search_hit\">Virtual<\/span> Machine.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"secedit editbutton_section editbutton_4\"><\/div>\n<h3 id=\"create_virtual_disk\" class=\"sectionedit5\">Create <span class=\"search_hit\">Virtual<\/span> Disk<\/h3>\n<div class=\"level3\">\n<p>Launch VirtualBox from the Applications Folder or the Mac Launchpad.<\/p>\n<p>Click on the New icon and type in the name of the Operating System to be installed such as Windows 10, choose 64-bit\/32-bit as appropriate (64-bit if possible), and step through the guided setup accepting all the suggested options. This will create a <span class=\"search_hit\">Virtual<\/span> Disk on the Mac <abbr title=\"\" data-original-title=\"Operating System\">OS<\/abbr> X ready for the operating system to be installed. This process reserves the maximum amount of disk space the <span class=\"search_hit\">Virtual<\/span> Machine will be allowed to use, usually about 28-32GB for a Windows <span class=\"search_hit\">Virtual<\/span> Machine, depending on the version.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"secedit editbutton_section editbutton_5\"><\/div>\n<h3 id=\"install_windows_os\" class=\"sectionedit6\">Install Windows OS<\/h3>\n<div class=\"level3\">\n<p>You will need a Windows Installation Disk (DVD) or a Windows ISO Image. For best results use Windows 10 or later. <span class=\"fh\" style=\"font-size: 17px !important; line-height: 21.4286px !important;\">\u0192<span style=\"color:#73B262; font-weight: bold;\">h<\/span><\/span> v6.x and later versions will not run on Windows XP so a later version of Windows must be used.<\/p>\n<p>Using an ISO Image is quicker because hard disk file access is faster than reading a DVD. Windows ISO Images for all recent versions can be downloaded from the <a class=\"urlextern\" title=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-gb\/download\" href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-gb\/download\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Microsoft Download Centre<\/a> if you have a retail Product Key.<\/p>\n<p>Launch the Windows <span class=\"search_hit\">Virtual<\/span> Disk created above by double-clicking on the icon in the VirtualBox window (or click on the icon and then the Start Arrow icon).<\/p>\n<p>You should be asked to select the Windows Installation file. Use the dropdown <span class=\"search_hit\">box<\/span> to navigate to the CD\/DVD Player, or to wherever the installation ISO Image is stored on the Mac. Proceed through the Windows Installation as normal, and configure it as required.<\/p>\n<p>When complete, use the VirtualBox Application options on the Mac Menu Bar to select Devices &gt; Insert Guest Additions CD Image.., and Windows should ask what to do with it. Choose Run and allow the Guest Additions installation to take place. You will have to select Restart at the end to complete the installation. Eject the <span class=\"search_hit\">Virtual<\/span> CD using File Manager by right-clicking on the CD Drive and choosing Eject.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"secedit editbutton_section editbutton_6\"><\/div>\n<h3 id=\"setup_configuration\" class=\"sectionedit7\">Setup Configuration<\/h3>\n<div class=\"level3\">\n<p>When the Windows Install has completed and it works OK, then Shutdown the Windows <abbr title=\"\" data-original-title=\"Operating System\">OS<\/abbr> as usual, and setup VirtualBox as follows:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"level1\">\n<div class=\"li\">Click on the Windows <span class=\"search_hit\">Virtual<\/span> Disk icon in the VirtualBox window and choose the Settings icon from the Menu Bar.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"level1\">\n<div class=\"li\">Choose the General &gt; Advanced tab and set Shared Clipboard and Drag\u2019n\u2019Drop to Bi-Directional to support copy\/move data between Mac <abbr title=\"\" data-original-title=\"Operating System\">OS<\/abbr> X applications and Windows applications installed in VirtualBox.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"level1\">\n<div class=\"li\">To store all Windows User data (e.g. the Family Historian Projects folder) in the My Documents folder within the Windows <span class=\"search_hit\">Virtual<\/span> Machine (VM), then no further setup is needed, BUT the VM disk size will gradually increase with use.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"level1\">\n<div class=\"li\">To use the standard User Folders on the Mac <abbr title=\"\" data-original-title=\"Operating System\">OS<\/abbr> X, then those folders must be accessible to Windows, e.g. the User Folders such as Documents and Downloads can appear as drives D: and E: in the Windows <span class=\"search_hit\">Virtual<\/span> Machine. For this arrangement continue the setup as follows:<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"level1\">\n<div class=\"li\">In the VirtualBox Settings screen, select the Shared Folders tab.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"level1\">\n<div class=\"li\">Click on the + icon, select the dropdown <span class=\"search_hit\">box<\/span> other and navigate to and select your Documents folder, then tick Auto Mount.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"level1\">\n<div class=\"li\">Repeat the above process for any other Mac <abbr title=\"\" data-original-title=\"Operating System\">OS<\/abbr> X folders to be shared the Windows <span class=\"search_hit\">Virtual<\/span> Machine.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>These \u2018folder sharing permissions\u2019 can be set up or removed at any time if you change your mind about how you want to work.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"secedit editbutton_section editbutton_7\"><\/div>\n<h3 id=\"install_applications\" class=\"sectionedit8\">Install Applications<\/h3>\n<div class=\"level3\">\n<p>Launch the Windows <span class=\"search_hit\">Virtual<\/span> Machine and then install and configure applications as normal such as:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"level1\">\n<div class=\"li\">Family Historian V7, V6 or V4\/V5 to V6 Upgrade purchased CD or download.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"level1\">\n<div class=\"li\"><a class=\"wikilink1\" title=\"fhugdownloads:contents:family_historian_6.x.y_upgrade\" href=\"https:\/\/www.family-historian.co.uk\/downloads\/latest-free-upgrade\">Family Historian Version 6.2.7 Upgrade<\/a> free download.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"level1\">\n<div class=\"li\"><a class=\"wikilink1\" title=\"fhugdownloads:contents:ancestral_sources\" href=\"https:\/\/fhug.org.uk\/kb\/kb-article\/ancestral-sources\/\">Utility ~ Ancestral Sources v5.2.0<\/a> latest free download.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If migrating from a Windows PC, then use the <a class=\"wikilink1\" title=\"how_to:family_historian_migration_guide\" href=\"https:\/\/fhug.org.uk\/kb\/kb-article\/family-historian-copy-and-migration-guide\/\">Family Historian Copy and Migration Guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>If using the Shared Folders technique above, then in <abbr title=\"\" data-original-title=\"Family Historian\">FH<\/abbr> use File &gt; Project Window &gt; More Tasks &gt; Project List &gt; Choose Location for Projects to choose a shared drive and folder such as Family Historian Projects on the Mac <abbr title=\"\" data-original-title=\"Operating System\">OS<\/abbr> X.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"secedit editbutton_section editbutton_8\"><\/div>\n<h2 id=\"configuration_tips\" class=\"sectionedit9\">Configuration Tips<\/h2>\n<div class=\"level2\">\n<p>It tends to be much easier\/quicker to install Windows applications in the <span class=\"search_hit\">Virtual<\/span> Machine from installation files on the Mac <abbr title=\"\" data-original-title=\"Operating System\">OS<\/abbr> X hard drive Shared Folders as described above, rather than directly from CD\/DVD. e.g. If you have a CD version of Family Historian, it is best to copy the contents to a named sub-folder on the Mac <abbr title=\"\" data-original-title=\"Operating System\">OS<\/abbr> X in the shared Downloads or Documents folder.<\/p>\n<p>Windows 7 does not support USB 3 natively, so if you need to access any external USB 3 drives or other peripherals attached to the Mac <abbr title=\"\" data-original-title=\"Operating System\">OS<\/abbr> X then USB 3 Drivers have to be manually installed in the Windows <span class=\"search_hit\">Virtual<\/span> Machine. With external USB 3 Hard Disks you can get around that by setting up temporary Shared Drives when needed, as described above.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"secedit editbutton_section editbutton_9\">Functionality tips<\/h2>\n<p>Do not forget that you have to use crtl + C etc instead of cmd + C when running in a Virtual Machine.<\/p>\n<p>Images can be dragged and dropped between the Mac and Windows screens if you have both open at the same time but patience is sometimes needed before dropping as it can take a few seconds for the communication between the os&#8217;s to occur, drag and drop of images does not always work between Mac and Ancestral Sources.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"fhug_forum_topics\" class=\"sectionedit10\"><\/h2>\n","protected":false},"template":"","fh_version":[14,15,739],"skill_level":[18,17],"topic":[88,65],"class_list":["post-8732","kb_article","type-kb_article","status-publish","hentry","fh_version-v5","fh_version-v6","fh_version-v7","search_term-bootcamp","search_term-linux","search_term-mac","search_term-virtual-machine","search_term-virtualbox","search_term-windows-virtual-environment","skill_level-advanced","skill_level-intermediate","topic-installing-fh","topic-installing-migrating-and-upgrading"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fhug.org.uk\/kb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/kb_article\/8732","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fhug.org.uk\/kb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/kb_article"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fhug.org.uk\/kb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/kb_article"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fhug.org.uk\/kb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8732"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"fh_version","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fhug.org.uk\/kb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/fh_version?post=8732"},{"taxonomy":"skill_level","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fhug.org.uk\/kb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/skill_level?post=8732"},{"taxonomy":"topic","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fhug.org.uk\/kb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/topic?post=8732"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}