How to run Sharepoint 2010 on Windows Server 2008 R2 in a Virtual Machine

If you have attempted to install Windows Server 2008 R2 in a virtual machine, you have probably already found out that Windows Virtual PC does not support installing x64 operating systems even if the host machine is running x64.

You can install Oracle VirtualBox for 64-bit systems. You can then install Windows Server 2008 R2 and Sharepoint 2010 with no issues. VirtualBox is free and there is an open source version. For Windows Server and Sharepoint 2010, you must have the proper licenses, unless you choose to install the trial versions.