Running Windows XP/7 "within" Windows 10?

[Freddyfruitba...]

I've recently - very reluctantly - "upgraded" from Windows 7 to Windows 10 on account of Microsoft withdrawing support. One of the joyful effects of this is that my formerly perfectly working scanner is now reduced to doorstop status due to non-availability of the appropriate driver.

Now I'm aware of Vuescan which is a last-ditch option but don't really want to go there. Is it possible for me to set up and open a virtual window or something running an older version of Windows, just for the purpose of scanning stuff? I'm not entirely certain what I'm asking so not sure what to google for, but does this sound plausible?
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KC100->CB100N->CB250RS--------->DL650AL2->R1200RS->R1250RS

[Im-a-Ridah]

You can run windows 7 in an Oracle Virtualbox but it almost certainly won't allow you to install the scanner unless it is on the host machine. Best option IMO if just to get a cheap £20 SSD off ebay, install win7 on it, and use it when you want to scan stuff. Just hit F12 or whatever to change the boot sequence and select the other OS when you need to scan stuff. You can put them both on the same drive but its more work and risk than just buying a cheap and crappy SSD.

[stinkwheel]

Check to see if the scanner will run on linux. Then you could set it up to dual boot or boot into a "live" version from a USB stick or DVD (eg, puppy linux).

Probably be faster to use than win 7 anyway.

SANE (scanner access now easy) is one of the projects providing scanner support to linux systems, see if yours is listed.

https://www.sane-project.org/sane-supported-devices.html
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[doggone]

My old scanner first set up on XP will work with Windows Fax and Scan you already have.
There's also compatibility mode might help.

[UncleFester]

Just use your mobile phone camera as a scanner, its got a better resolution most likely anyway.

Or bite the bullet and get a new scanner - haven't found much that doesn't run on 10 that ran on 7 though unless it's one of those cack awful parallel port scsi things.
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Module 1 and 2 passed - October 2014. Happy owner of a 2017 Z1000SX, ex owner of a YBR125 / CB500 / VFR800.

[P.]

I'm yet to find an actual item that doesn't work in windows 10. Embrace the future, no one scans..

[stinkwheel]

[P.]

[The Shaggy D.A.]

I used Vuescan when I moved from XP to Windows 7, worked well.
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Chances are quite high you are not in my Monkeysphere, and I don't care about you. Don't take it personally.
Currently : Royal Enfield 350 Meteor
Previously : CB100N > CB250RS > XJ900F > GT550 > GPZ750R/1000RX > AJS M16 > R100RT > Bullet 500 > CB500 > LS650P > Bullet Electra X & YBR125 > Bullet 350 "Superstar" & YBR125 Custom > Royal Enfield Classic 500 Despatch Limited Edition (28 of 200) & CB Two-Fifty Nighthawk > ER5

[stinkwheel]

[Easy-X]

Most people "scan" by using their phone camera these days... #JustSayin'

Anyhoo, yes, you'd want either Oracle VirtualBox or VMware Workstation. The later isn't free but the former, while free, is owned by a bunch of c*nts

Both have pass-through USB support and don't rely on the driver of the host for communication.

You might want to see if there was a Windows 8 driver as 9/10 times that works under Win10. What's the make and model of scanner?
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Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter

[P.]

[Freddyfruitba...]

Thanks for the responses and suggestions.
I think Stinkers is closest to the mark in that my needs for the scanner are driven by clients who I do work for, and its not for me to dictate to them how they want documents/contracts handling/signing.

That said, my overall need for a scanner is very much less than it used to be, so I'm not interested in dropping a lot of cash on a replacement scanner just because Microsoft has said so. FWIW I have a Kodak i30 with a sheet feeder - good luck to anyone who can find a Windows 10 driver for that (and indeed, to anyone who fancies scanning 30-page documents using a phone...). It wasn't a cheap device, and nor would a Win-10-compatible replacement.

The idea of installing an old version of Windows on an SSD for dual boot appeals - that might be the answer (though I only run a laptop these days, so the 2nd SSD would have to be external, via USB - not ideal). Current favoured solution is to resurrect an old laptop running XP and use that as a dedicated machine to the scanner, on the same network as my main laptop)
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KC100->CB100N->CB250RS--------->DL650AL2->R1200RS->R1250RS

[UncleFester]

I have a Brother MFCJ5730DW at home - does a whole lot of things including scanning.

Maybe you can swing it past the finances as an upgrade to a few things rather than 'just' a scanner.
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Module 1 and 2 passed - October 2014. Happy owner of a 2017 Z1000SX, ex owner of a YBR125 / CB500 / VFR800.

[xX-Alex-Xx]

[Easy-X]

A 32GB thumb drive with Win7 on would be fine as long as the laptop isn't so ancient it doesn't support USB2.0 and USB boot devices - hit F12 or whatever to pick your boot device on power up. If you're really lucky then the BIOS / EFI might let you prioritise USB boot devices over internal drives and then it's just a case of plugging/removing the key.

Personally I'd just go for VirtualBox for easy of use, e.g. half way through the work day you can spin up the VM to scan a document instead of having to close up all your work and reboot.
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Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter

[stinkwheel]

Your scanner will probably work with Linux. It has a basic driver listed.

If you are going to dual boot or boot something off a usb drive, I'd dual boot with a Linux build. It'll be up super fast and you won't need to worry about running something old and virusey on the same PC.

As I say, puppy linux is a good choice because it's designed to run from a pendrive or DVD. I'd use the ubuntu-based version. You'll get the entire operating system on a 4Gb USB stick. Handy to have because it can also get you out of bother if your operating system falls over or your hard drive shits itself because it'll boot entirely into the RAM. You don't even need a HDD fitted. I've had an HDD fail but have been able to boot into puppy, mount the busted drive and transfer data off it.

You CAN use plug and play USB devices through virtual box. I have windows 7 in a virtual box on my Debian PC so I can update the wifes garmin watch. It also mounts and autoruns the software built into my action camera.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[WD Forte]

[P.]

[Freddyfruitba...]

[P.]

Let me try tomorrow at work.