Sage 100

Setting up a VM on a Windows 7 laptop - I've never done it before. How complicated is it to set up and how are you guys who have them doing it?

I use Hyper-V for Windows 10 or Windows Servers, but for Windows 7, I usually just use VirtualBox (https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads). They have a nice HTML manual (http://www.virtualbox.org/manual/) but I can probably help if you need something specific. Overall, you go through the same steps as if you're installing Windows on a brand new PC, so if you've done that before, this'll be easy...

VirtualBox (https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads) is what I use on my laptop. Here is a link that has instructions: https://www.howtogeek.com/forum/topic/how-to-install-windows-7-in-virtualbox-guide-hatryst Once you have the VM and it has gotten it's Windows updates and a PDF Reader and Office, but before you install any Sage stuff, clone it so when you next need one you don't have to start from scratch.

I use VirtualBox on a Windows 8.1 Pro desktop. And before that machine. I used VB on a Windows 7 Pro computer. I follow the steps outlined by @PhilMcIntosh. It works great.

My laptop came with the O/S pre-installed. will I need media? Sorry, really busy right now and haven't had a chance to thoroughly read instructions. Stopped when I read about media.

Yes, you would need an ISO. You can get Windows Server evaluation copies here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/evaluate-windows-server-2016

Or get an Action Pack subscription for about $400/year. Then you won't have to worry about expiring evals

Love those Action Pack programs. Price is right and you get the latest and greatest from MSFT. A great value for the small operators. Or even the big dawgs! https://partner.microsoft.com/en-us/membership/action-pack

I made a mistake - I'm on Windows 10, not 7. Any different input?

I am using VirtualBox on Windows 10

I like Windows 10's Hyper-V. I found a nice step-by-step here (https://www.maketecheasier.com/create-virtual-machine-windows-10-hyper-v/)

We use VMWare and I echo the @PhilMcIntosh note - but before you install any Sage stuff, clone it so when you next need one you don't have to start from scratch.