Windows images provided by Microsoft

There's some Windows images for execution within a virtual machine provided by Microsoft itself completely free of charge, with some limitations.

• Windows XP
  • Windows XP Mode: Complete and without limitations. Must own a legal copy of Windows 7 or higher
    • Meant to be run with the included Virtual PC. The image can be extracted to be executed within a different virtual machine hypervisor, instructions at: http://lifehacker.com/5965889/how-to-run-windows-xp-for-free-in-windows-8
    • Windows N variants are also offered (saving a few extra megs).
• Windows 7, Windows 8.1 and Windows 10
  • IE VMs (formerly modern.ie) (Windows XP images no longer provided): Limited to 90 days before a reinstall is required