Saving files while using Virtual Machine programs

I came across several free virtual machine-type programs here on MajorGeeks:
Sandboxie, SafeSpace, and Returnil Personal Edition.

If I were to install any one of them, based upon my limited understanding of virtualization programs, I'm under the impression that anything I do (surf the web, install new apps, etc...) will not affect my base (actual) system when I exit the virtualization program. Put another way, any changes made while in virtual mode will not be saved to my machine.

Here's my question:
If I were to download anything while in virtual mode (files, etc...), then copy/move them to a different drive (secondary or external, for example), then shutdown and restart in regular (non-virtual) mode, will the files I downloaded and copied/moved (while in virtual mode) still be saved on the other drive? If files have been copied/moved, should the secondary/external drive be disconnected (if possible) prior to restarting?


Are there any other "easy to install and use" free VM programs I should consider?


Thanks for your responses.

 

Returnil Premium is free to Give Away Of The Day (GAOTD) readers today:

w w w . g i v e a w a y o f t h e d a y . c o m / r e t u r n i l - v i r t u a l - s y s t e m - p r e m i u m - e d i t i o n - 2 0 0 5 0 0 7 /


This is the second or third time it's been offered.

Read all the user comments on Returnil, Sandboxie, etc. on this page. After today (just a few hours more from now when the offer expires) be sure to click on the link to expand and see the entire page of comments being left today.

You'll get a better idea of what they can do by reading other's questions and the clarifying answers (some not so polite, unfortunately).

Bottom line is, yes, you will keep any files that were saved on a drive other than the boot/system disk which is protected while Returnil protection was enabled. Returnil also provides for creating a "drive" or folder where you can save files between reboots/restarts if, say, you have only one C: drive.