Problems with Virtual Server on workgroup based Windows XP

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I have known about this issue for a while - but I have kept on forgetting to post about it.  If you have Virtual Server installed on a Windows XP SP2 computer you may see an 'Access Denied' error when you try to open the Administrative website.  The simple, but non-intuitive, way to fix this is to:

  1. Open 'My Computer'
  2. Open the 'Tools' menu and select 'Folder Options'
  3. Change to the 'View' tab
  4. Scroll to the bottom of the 'Advanced settings:' box and uncheck 'Use simple file sharing (Recommended)' .
  5. Click 'OK' and you should now be able to use the Administrative website.

When simple file sharing is enabled, a number of file restrictions are enforced, some of which stop the Virtual Server Administrative website from working properly.  I always forget about this issue because I always disable simple file sharing on all my computers, just out of personal preference.

Cheers,
Ben

Thanks to SrikGuru for the email about this.