Virtual PC

Virtual PC is an emulator created by Connectix to allow PowerPC-based Macs to run PC software, including Microsoft Windows.

History
The software was first released in June 1997 as Connectix Virtual PC. It allowed Power Macintosh computers to emulate a PC to run MS-DOS, Windows, or OpenStep. Registered users of SoftWindows were offered a competitive rebate.

Acquisition by Microsoft
Virtual PC was acquired by Microsoft in 2003. Its development and support staff, including Connectix's Chief Technical Officer Eric Traut, were transferred to Microsoft. The Mac version was discontinued and the PC version was adapted into Windows Virtual PC to allow users of Windows 7 to run older software in "Windows XP Mode" (in a similar manner as the Classic environment in early versions of Mac OS X).