Here is a few switches (parameters) that you can use to start Virtual PC 2004:
- -singlepc
The -singlepc parameter starts the specified virtual machine without starting Virtual PC Console. This parameter can simplify the Virtual PC interface in a corporate or lab environment where users only want to access a virtual machine and do not have to use Virtual PC Console. You can use this parameter only during Virtual PC startup.
- -quiet
The -quiet parameter prevents the starting of any virtual machines that are configured to start automatically. You can use this parameter only during Virtual PC startup.
- -usehostdiskcache
The -usehostdiskcache parameter turns on host-side disk caching. Host-side disk caching can improve the performance of virtual machines that run operating systems other than Windows. This parameter can help to resolve poor performance problems with disk-intensive tasks. You can use this parameter only during Virtual PC startup.-pc virtual_machine_name
The -pc virtual_machine_name parameter specifies to perform operations on a specific virtual machine. The virtual_machine_name is the name that appears in Virtual PC Console and the virtual machine window for the virtual machine.
Note: virtual_machine_name is case sensitive.
You can use these either from the command-line or by creating a shortcut with the target set like this:
“C:\Program Files\Microsoft Virtual PC\Virtual PC.exe” -usehostdiskcache
You can find more switches here.
–Mark