Question : Can I install linux as a dual boot OS and also access it virtually from a Windows OS?

I am currently running Windows 7 and would like to know if there is a way to install linux so that I can dual boot it, but also access the same install through VMWare or another virtualization program.

It would be very handy to be able to access linux on the fly when I have to be in Windows (work), but then boot the same linux install when I don't have to be windows (play).

If something similar has been answered before please just link me, I didn't know what phrases to search for before just asking.

Thank you.
SullX

Answer : Can I install linux as a dual boot OS and also access it virtually from a Windows OS?

I don't believe there would be any way you could both dual boot and virtualize the same installation of any OS.  The virtual OS uses a compacted hard disk that is called a .VHD  (virtual hard disk) file.  But a year or so ago I used the free VMware Player to play around with several different versions of Linux.  If you have sufficient RAM and hard drive space, using a virtual OS is MUCH handier than dual booting, since you can have both OSes running simultaneously and changing between them is just a mouse click or two away...