Microsoft Posts Windows Virtual PC Beta

Microsoft has posted a public beta of its Windows Virtual PC software a few days before it was originally expected.

Microsoft's Windows Virtual PC web site states that the software will be available for download on May 5. But Microsoft posted the Windows Virtual PC beta on Thursday, making it available for public download.

Officially, Windows Virtual PC is "the latest Microsoft virtualization technology that allows you to run many productivity applications on a virtual Windows environment, with a single click, directly from a Windows 7-based PC." It replaces Microsoft , with the addition of a number of features including drive sharing, USB drive support, and Windows Explorer. It also serves as the runtime for the .

The software does require Windows 7, however, as well as an AMD or Intel microprocessor with hardware virtualization support.

Microsoft to its developer channels, including MSDN and TechNet, on Thursday.